Storing your ammo

[Ctgrizzly2hunt]

I was just wondering how you all store your ammo? Currently I been using the Plano 50 bullets case to store 9mm and 270 Winchester. Is there something better out there to use?
I know shouldn't storing them and just shoot them up but too much snow out there at the range.

 

[splattergun]

handgun range fodder is in baggies in .50 cal ammo cans.

 

[rondog]

I buy the generic white cardboard ammo boxes with styrofoam inserts from Midway. Each "size" box will handle several different calibers, they're not caliber specific, so they're a little bigger than factory ammo boxes. I also make labels for them on my PC and printer with all the load data. Then I put the filled ammo boxes into USGI steel ammo cans, also labeled with contents.

The .30 cal. cans are best for taking manageable amounts of ammo to the range, .50 cal. and "fat 50" SAW cans are great for storing larger amounts of ammo yet still carryable if need be, and the 20mm cans are good for long-term storage of large amounts of ammo that you don't plan on moving. Those get mighty heavy when full!

 

[judgedelta]

Load now, shoot when the weather's good. Store mine in plastic containers with snap-on lids, just because I don't have any ammo cans.

 

[hanno]

Surplus .50 cal & .30 Cal ammo cans.

 

[joem1945]

I store mine in ammo cans and heavy duty cardboard boxes cause I ran out of ammo cans. Don't fill a 20 or 40 mm ammo can cause you can't move it.

 

[GBExpat]

Other than the ~3doz(IIRC) unopened cases/spam-cans/battle-packs, the bulk of it is stored in ~100 .30, .50 and 20mm milsurp ammo cans.

 

[TexasDon]

Dang, from the looks of things, I'm behind on my ammo making duties.

I usually store ammo loose in coffee cans & ammo cans.
I was surprised how many 20 gauge shells fit into a coffee jug/can/plastic??
If you organize them you can get even more.
I have a bunch of the coffee cans and the Coffee-Mate cans with the screw on lid that people give me. ( I asked for some from friends, now I have too many of them. ) I use them for everything with WIDE painters tape labels.

TxD

 

[Mad Chemist]

I use the cardboard boxes that my bulk bullets come in, or coffee cans, or ammo cans or whatever. Everything is in a climate controlled finished basement so I don't have to worry about temp and humidity.

 

[witchhunter]

The GI cans are perfect, it is exactly what they were designed for. Make sure not to get the big ones, they are too heavy when full. Looks like Rondog has the inventory trophy!

 

[moxie]

Hoarding? Nah! Just prudent husbanding of potentially scarce resources.

 

[joustin]

I use boxes from repackbox.com

 

[GBExpat]

Make sure not to get the big ones, they are too heavy when full.

Oh yeah! Even the filled .50s are impressively heavy. I have the rear of the lower shelf of my 8'-long reloading bench filled with .30s & .50s stacked 3 high (it is one ROCK SOLID reloading bench ).

Reaching in to remove those filled .50s can be ... interesting.

 

[JFtheGR8]

I just started using the Plano ammo cans from Sportsman's Guide. They sell them in a two pack. They're the perfect size for my needs and they are water/weather resistant.

 

[weedsnager]

50 cal cans for me

 

[Ks5shooter]

I use these ,they are very strong,o ring sealed and handles are great. Have one filled with loose 9mm loads and handle holds the weight.$9.45 shipped using THR 5% off.If you don't like the zombie logo it peels right off.


http://www.opticsplanet.com/mtm-limited-edition-50-cal-zombie-ammo-can.html

 

[Reloadron]

Cans and maybe this year I will build more shelves for the cans.

Ron

 

[bluejeans]

I put full ammo cans on the bottom shelf of my freestanding reloading bench... Weight gives extra solidity to bench

 

[Lman57]

I use the same as others .50 cal & .30 Cal surplus ammo cans I like the rubber seal keeps them safe.

 

[Ctgrizzly2hunt]

Wow, I don't have that much ammo, Looks like the ammo can will do, what should look for when I'm in the army/navy store for these cans? Do you all store them lose in the can or box them up?

 

[splattergun]

look for good seal ring, intact hinge, latch and handle and minimal rust. Bulk is fine. I put smaller quantities in baggies to simplify grabbing a quantity for a day's shoot. a hundred or so works for me.

 

[edfardos]

Rondog, the first step is admitting you have a problem.

Seriously tho, 50cal cans stuffed with any smaller containers which store 50 to 100 rounds. This includes zip lock baggies if necessary. Label/lot tags on each container.

Anyone using dessicant? Silca gell?

 

[GBExpat]

I have silica gel packets in all of my ammo cans. I don't know if it helps, but I know that it does not hurt ... and I got them for free, so ...

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I've got a stack of 50 cal surplus ammo cans. I'd have to count them, but I'd say I have about a dozen, maybe a few more. Not nearly as many cans, total, as rondog has!

I have one or two 30 cal cans, and one larger can that looks about the size of the one on rondogs top, left shelf.

They seal well, stack well, are sturdy as heck, and hold decent amounts of ammo without getting excessively heavy, though a full can is still a bit of weight. And I've NEVER had a handle even come close to failing on one of these. Can't say that for the plastic versions.

I've got them labeled by caliber and have some cans also dedicated to empty brass, also labeled.

Ammo is stored inside either in boxes or bags. The only time I ever had loose ammo stored in one was when I bought some bulk 9mm from Georgia Arms years ago. If I buy ammo like that nowadays, I'll bag them up in convenient bags of 50 or 100 rounds using Ziploc freezer bags and then store them in the can. This way I can grab what I need in convenient amounts and drop it in my "Range" can with whatever else I plan on shooting and load the car up.

 

[rondog]

Something to keep in mind about plastic "ammo cans" - too much weight and the handles can break. And Murphy's Laws will dictate that your toes will be under that can when this happens.....

And no, I don't win any prizes for ammo quantities/stash, not even close. I'm a piker compared to a LOT of guys!

I do plan on re-doing the whole shelf and can arrangement this summer. Gonna lose the steel shelving and build wood shelves, then put big plywood doors on it to make it all a big built-in cabinet thing. For security and so nobody can see any of it. Right now I keep it all covered with a big movers blanket.

Probably going to eliminate some ammo cans and just stack a lot of the ammo boxes on the shelves, that'll condense things considerably for more efficiency. I'll use the loose boxes for range trips, but keep the larger cans full for long-term and bulk storage.

This is what reloading and brass hoarding can lead to.....God help me when I start casting bullets!