what grade GI ammo cans?

[Axis II]

well after everyone online wanting to kill you with shipping charges I went to rural king and checked out their 50cal can and for the modest price of $10 I figured I would try one and it seems to lock up and seal quite well for what it is. We don't have any army navy stores around anymore and gun shows around here seem to be the tacticool crowd with less mil surp guys and if they do have a GI can its over $15. I figured these RK cans will suit my wallet as well as storage.

 

[John Joseph]

I bought my last 4 at a sportsmen's club swap meet. A fellow bought a lot of them at an auction at Camp Roberts and was using the proceeds to send his daughter on a high school field trip to DC. .50s were two for $16.
Good price, good GI cans, good cause.

 

[Axis II]

I bought my last 4 at a sportsmen's club swap meet. A fellow bought a lot of them at an auction at Camp Roberts and was using the proceeds to send his daughter on a high school field trip to DC. .50s were two for $16.
Good price, good GI cans, good cause.

I would do that if they had something like that around here. Last gun show i went to everything was AR/AK and black tacticool stuff and if they have a can its $20 but i would probably pay good money if it went to a cause. used to have swap meets every few months but i don't see them anymore.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Local farm store had a boat load of ma deuce cans dated to WW2 for $10. Most had patches of rust but we're otherwise in solid condition considering the age.

Amazing how some stuff from that long ago still isn't worth much even today. Such antiques, nearing a century old.

 

[John Joseph]

Ok. Then I would recommend getting the military issue metal can and throw some dessicant into it. Since ammo is so heavy, you might want to get the .50 caliber or .30 if you plan on moving it around or if you want different calibers to have their own box. You can buy dessicant in bulk from craft stores like Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc. and reuse it (just bake it in the oven to restore its dessicant value if you wish). Put it into plastic or a suitable mesh container with holes to allow circulation or cloth containers with zippers etc. If you are really cheap, you can save all of those dessicant packages that come with all sorts of goods you buy, take them out of the packages, reheat in the oven, and reuse over and over again. At 7.99 each, that Natchez has, that is a smoking deal. Unfortunately, I am in the area where Natchez won't ship due to competition with its retail dealers but I think you are okay and gtg with them.

Wait...what? .30 and .50 cans are the same aren't they? Mine are! OK there are fat .50s, but ordinary sizes are identical. All the small cans I see are marked 5.56mm.

 

[boom boom]

.30 Caliber thinner cans are available but usually online or at a decent military surplus store. A bit fewer of them floating around.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

The bad part about buying used ammo cans sight unseen is that you could end up with some with rust on the inside.
Rust on the outside is not so bad as long as it’s not pitted. You can clean them up and repaint them. You can get creative when you paint them.


Here are some I painted about 30 years ago.