If there is one thing I hate doing at the range, is opening a bunch of boxes with ammo, especially those new plastic ones that take a knife to open. I was thinking about just opening a bunch of boxes and storing the ammo loose inside a surplus ammo can. Is there any downside to doing that? I know the ammo would rattle around, but wondered if it was safe, or if it would accelerate any deterioration?
Storing ammo loose in containers?
- Thread starter valnar
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
But it's a wise move to keep the ammo lot number from the box flap with the ammo, in case there is ever a need to contact the manufacture about a blown up gun!
Seriously, it's fine to dump it out if you must.
But at least dump it in zip-lock bags and tear off the box flap with the lot number on it and keep it with the ammo until you use it all up.
On the other hand?
You could take the range time you use opening the boxes and use it as a chance to rest your shooting muscles and your brain & concentration.
Better scores will result in the end if you stop and smell the roses occasionally during a shooting session!!
rc
Seriously, it's fine to dump it out if you must.
But at least dump it in zip-lock bags and tear off the box flap with the lot number on it and keep it with the ammo until you use it all up.
On the other hand?
You could take the range time you use opening the boxes and use it as a chance to rest your shooting muscles and your brain & concentration.
Better scores will result in the end if you stop and smell the roses occasionally during a shooting session!!
rc
primalmu
Member
I rarely go to the range if I anticipate being in a hurry. I don't think I would enjoy my time there as much. Thus, I keep all my ammo in boxes (.22 LR notwithstanding, since the plastic tray they are in usually falls down resulting in ammo rolling all over the bench).
1911 guy
Member
Other than keeping lot numbers like RC suggested, there's no problem at all. That's my standard practice for several high use (for me, anyway) calibers.
TRX
Member
I've seen guys with those little plastic butter dishes. They set the open dish on the lid so the lid doesn't blow away, and just scoop out what they need.
bainter1212
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I keep mine loose in ammo cans. Makes high volume practice real easy.
wally
Member
I have enough mags for my practice sessions so I can load them all in air-conditioned comfort before heading to the range -- sure beats stuffing magazines on the firing line.
Kingcreek
Member
I've been using the Dillon border shift ammo bags for years. One side pouch for loaded, the other side for empty brass.
230RN
2A was "political" when it was first adopted.
I found "Ten-X Ammunition" boxes are great for this and my reloads. They have an outer sleeve which holds the boxes together in transit. Just make sure the old label is magic-markered out and a new label is on the box. They ship the ammo loose in these boxes, which are the same size for every ordinary cartridge.
I have noticed the same thing and that the mew PITAP (Pain In The A$$ Packaging) is a pain in the a$$. Maybe they're trying to keep the ammo from being adulterated or tampered with, like with drugs 'n other personal products.
ETA: I just tried to pull up an image of the ten-x cardboard boxes I referred to, and it looks like even they are changing to plastic boxes which look pretty formidable.*
Makes me wonder if there's a new law of some kind to this effect.
Terry, 230RN
* So I took a pic of one of their boxes. Note the loose ammo as it comes from the factory. Note the outer sleeve.
I have noticed the same thing and that the mew PITAP (Pain In The A$$ Packaging) is a pain in the a$$. Maybe they're trying to keep the ammo from being adulterated or tampered with, like with drugs 'n other personal products.
ETA: I just tried to pull up an image of the ten-x cardboard boxes I referred to, and it looks like even they are changing to plastic boxes which look pretty formidable.*
Makes me wonder if there's a new law of some kind to this effect.
Terry, 230RN
* So I took a pic of one of their boxes. Note the loose ammo as it comes from the factory. Note the outer sleeve.
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It is a good idea to use metal cans as opposed to the plastic copies that are now being marketed. The metal ones are actually designed to contain an explosion from within and are much safer if exposed to a home fire.
Mine are filled to the brim with open bulk handloaded ammo.
Mine are filled to the brim with open bulk handloaded ammo.
No Problem
Plenty of bulk ammo is sold loose in containers by manufacturers, so I don't think you'd have any problem. I do like the idea of keeping the manufacturer's lot number with the ammo. Plastic baggies per box/lot might be an easy way to go in this regard.
Oh -- from personal experience: use watertight containers. Ammo boxes with rubber seals, with tight locking mechanisms, and carry handles are ideal.
Plenty of bulk ammo is sold loose in containers by manufacturers, so I don't think you'd have any problem. I do like the idea of keeping the manufacturer's lot number with the ammo. Plastic baggies per box/lot might be an easy way to go in this regard.
Oh -- from personal experience: use watertight containers. Ammo boxes with rubber seals, with tight locking mechanisms, and carry handles are ideal.
I have been trained that ammo in a fire is similar to small fireworks and not dangerous from more than a few feet away. This is because there isn't a chamber to direct the expanding gases behind the bullet down a barrel. Ammo in a firearm chamber would be dangerous in that it might cook off from the heat and fire the bullet down the barrel with the same force as if the powder was ignited by the primer. Not sure what would cook off first, the primer or the powder.
Tommygunn
Member
I have @ 4,000 rounds of .30 Carbine stored in metal ammo cans. Never had a problem.
Poor away. Ammo is completely fine being stored loose in a container.
I keep as much of my ammo as possible loose in .30 ammo cans (USGI metal and less expensive plastic ones you get at Walmart for <$8). It saves space and saves time opening boxes when it comes time to prep magazines.
If I want to take some to the range, not in magazines, but I don't want to take the whole can, I just grab a pile and bring it using a ziplock style bag.
I keep as much of my ammo as possible loose in .30 ammo cans (USGI metal and less expensive plastic ones you get at Walmart for <$8). It saves space and saves time opening boxes when it comes time to prep magazines.
If I want to take some to the range, not in magazines, but I don't want to take the whole can, I just grab a pile and bring it using a ziplock style bag.
glocking26
Member
The wife's Tupperware works great.....just don't tell her.
M2 Carbine
member
The only down side is picking these suckers up.
PJSprog
Member
Yep, it'll be fine. All my reloads go into either plastic coffee cans or ziplock baggies. rc's idea with the box flap is good, though, if it's factory stuff.
The only downside I see is, when you're going to the range, how many rounds do you plan on shooting? My ammo can, can hold close to a thousand rounds. I don't want to lug that around if I'm only going to shoot 300 rds. I use the ammo can when I'm shooting out of the back of my truck, outdoors. When I go to an indoor range, I take individual boxes.
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