Where do I get dessicant?

[orionengnr]

Especially the small/medium (maybe 6-12 oz) packages, in brown paper, that can be thrown in the oven and re-used?

We used to see them in the military inside preserved engine cans and so on...haven't seen them in years.

I'd like to throw one in each ammo can for long-term indoor storage. Any sources?

 

[model4006]

i bought some aguila super colibri ammo online, and they gave me a sheet in there of stuff they sold that was specifically for keeping ammo dry over a long period of time. i threw it away as i dont have money for huge amounts of ammo. if you keep searching online, i bet youll find someone who sells it.

 

[gbran]

Look in the phone book for packing and shipping supplies. I bought some for my safes. Much cheaper than buying that little box of Browning dessicant at the gun store.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

http://www.uline.com/Group_21.asp?pricode=WE449
http://www.veritemp.com/Products/Packaged+Desiccants/
http://www.silicagelpackets.com/

Just a few of the places that came up with a quick search.

 

[Sunray]

Seems to me Brownell's sell it. Not really good for long term storage though as it needs to be re-vitalized. Your 'in the oven and re-used'. Milsurp ammo cans usually have a rubber seal that keeps moisture out too.
Keeping whatever you store ammo in, in a cool dry place will do without the desicant. The best .303 ball I ever used was CF issue, 1944 vintage, DA ammo when I was working with an Army Cadet Corps. Ever round went bang and was extremely accurate. It was 40 some years old at the time. In the original boxes.

 

[matt9052]

I always see some in my cheaper than dirt catalog

 

[Jim K]

I agree with Gbran and Jorg. If you can buy the stuff elsewhere, avoid the gun specialty stores. The problem with some other suppliers is that they deal with industry and when you say you want some, say, dessicant, they tell you the minimum order is for a thousand pounds.

Jim

 

[Notch]

The cat litter that is "scoopable" and looks like plastic beads is a great desicant. There is an awful lot of it in a jug "recharge" in an oven when it needs it...

 

[Skibane]

Yep, the "Tidy Cats Crystals" are nothing more than silica granules - Throw a handful of it in an old sock, tie a knot in the end of it, and viola - An instant dissicant pack!

 

[YoPedro]

A lot of choices out there.

The biggest problem with desicants is the frequency with which you must recharge them. Inhibitors are a whole different ball game.

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0043312319597a.shtml
http://www.theinhibitor.com/theinhibitor/shopexd.asp?id=2

 

[abdrdude]

Go to your local grocery store. Buy some dry rice. Generic stuff if possible. It absorbs moisture well. Very inexpensive and it works.

You can even place a few grains in your salt shaker to absorb water and your salt will not clump up from moisture.

 

[jeepmor]

Dry Ice? Won't the cold nature of it pull moisture towards it due to condensation? Wouldn't your ammo box sweat on the outside like a soda can does? I've never heard of this and don't mean to argue against it. It just doesn't seem intuitive to me. I thought this stuff disappeared rather quickly once exposed to relatively high heat of room temp. I have to admit, I've never used it for anything, but have had it recommended to me for week long camping trips and what not.

Please elaborate, this sounds interesting. Being it is solid CO2 (carbon dioxide) it will displace any oxygen and bathe your ammo in a gas that does not promote corrosion. I would not use it for ammo storage, but it does intrigue me regarding hot summer camping cooler duty.

 

[SJG26]

Try the search function here................

and save us all some time.............................

 

[The Scandinavian]

JeepMor - methinks dry rice is not dry ice...

It had me going for a second there though, too!

Interesting idea, by the way, sounds like a useful tip.

 

[orionengnr]

SJG26--
PM sent.

All others--
Thank you!

 

[swingcatt]

Go to your local pharmacy and ask them if they'll throw them in a bag for you. The larger pharmacies go thru them fast enough to fill up a grocery bag in a week and most of the ones I have on retainer are more than happy to have something to do with the packages instead of just throwing them away. They're on the small side, but great for throwing in with some ammo. Hope this helps, SC

 

[The Scandinavian]

I've just been out and bought some of the cat-litter - it looks like the exact same product is available here in Finland, although of course the brand name is different.

The stuff inside is definately the same, anyway, silica gel.

Great tip, thanks!

 

[Sheldon J]

Didn't know that about tidy cat, but they sell the stuff pre packaged at Gander Mountain.

 

[badgerw]

Go to a craft store lke Michael's or Hobby Lobby. Ask for the stuff used to dry flowers. It's silica gel and it's very cheap. Put some in a nylon stocking and tie the end.

Bill

 

[spacejunkiehsv]

McMaster-Carr

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Type "dessicant" in the seach window in the upper left hand side. Hit search. Then scroll down. They have lots to choose from.

 

[Barbara]

Craft shop.