I have a "fair" amount of ammo, various calibers, stored in my man closet in the garage. For various reasons, fire for example, I would like to move this away from my domicile. My thought is a chest type, metal storage box, lockable, in my shop. Does anyone have any suggestions about an appropriate container? I don't want to spend a fortune, but I will spend what is necessary to insure safety/security. Thanks in advance.

Ammo is not dangerous (even in a fire) to be stored on a shelf. Being contained in a tight metal box raises the danger factor in the event of a fire. I have about 20,000 rounds of various calibers stored in my basement in a nice cool dry environment, and it is where I can get to it quickly when I need it and not subject to someone stealing it easily.
In the event of a fire, the live round will "pop" and scatter contents a couple feet. It will not go off and fire as from a gun where the projectile places you in danger.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Hmmmmmm, AMMO BOXES

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Still Running Against the Wind

For 40 years I have kept ammo on metal shelving in the garage.

Just make sure the shelving is strong enough...

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I am still pondering what H Richard posted as my concern is related to a fire. One of our fireman members wrote that ammo will not explode in a fire although I'm not sure about it "cooking off".

Regardless, I had a similar challenge. I wanted a lockable container, sturdy, and relatively inexpensive. No children or teens in our home. I opted for the Stack-On GCB 900:


I used two three or four inch wide wood strips and drywall screws to provide a sturdy (for all of the ammo weight) horizontal anchor source between my studs. The holes in the cabinet are not wide enough for the standard stud width. Then I bolted the Stack On cabinet to the strips using the four lag bolts that are included. Installed the two shelves and I was in business. Two keys for the lock are included.

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That's what we do!

Actually 'cooking off' is when the chamber of a, usually, full auto gun gets so hot it sets of fresh ammo as it is fed into the chamber. Out side of a chamber a round could get so hot, say in a fire, that it 'explodes'. Because it's not contained in a chamber or other tight fitting container, the case and bullet might be projected a short distance but the bullet nor case will go far because the expanding gases aren't confined.

My main concern around here is moisture. So, every round possible is in surplus ammo cans. Need the .50s and squad cans to go back to cheap.
Larry

I wonder if Saxonpig's ammo shelf was made in China??

20,000 rounds
Various calibers
What sort of in a hurry "need" are you thinking of?

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When ammo heats up due to a fire, it will go off but it is the lighter weight case that is the projectile not the bullet.

The round is not in a chamber or barrel for the gas to build up velocity.

A recent post on a fire in some house where the media wrote that firefighters where hit with bullets was typical media BS it was the brass not the bullets.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Exectly. The gasses need to be contained in order for the bullet to act like a bullet. Otherwise they just pop as the gasses go everywhere instead of only forward

I was actually going to buy one of those but most of my ammo is in tin cans of a thousand or more so I guess I'll look for something else

For a small fee, plus postage both ways, plus bonuses, plus incentives, plus depletion allowance, and small penalties for odd lots, and local taxes, recording fees, and the partial removal fee, I will gladly store your ammo for you. I am at EZ Storage Dot Com. My motto is “your money belongs to me”.

I will also broker trades for different caliber ammo for a small commission, plus postage both ways, plus bonuses, plus incentives, plus trade fees, plus local taxes, recording fees, and insurance against any losses you might incur. These transactions are through EZ Trade Dot Com. My motto there is the same, “your money belongs to me.”

My Satisfaction is guaranteed in writing.

My shelving,,, Lowes store take-outs,,,



I paid about $0.25 per pound for the shelving,,,

Yea but I'd have to find one that's going out of sale

There are shelving units and then there are SHELVING units. I have some industrial key mod heavy duty in my garage for over 20 years. Each shelf is a piece of 3/4" plywood. You could put engine blocks on it.

Look around there are some good ones, I think I saw some at Sams or Costco??

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Still Running Against the Wind

Exactly. I understand that bullets from ammunition in a fire are not the problem. I also know that SAAMI has produced a video for firefighters explaining issues with ammo in a fire. Most of them are relatively minor, low velocity shrapnel from the cases, etc. These are not life threatening issues, but could cause other, permanent damage like loss of sight if you were not protected.

But my real concern about fire is this. I live in a semi-rural area, served by a VFD. Before I go any further let me say that I have the utmost respect and admiration for all volunteer firefighters. If I were younger, I would eagerly join their ranks. That said, simply by the nature of their job, they do not always get all the professional training they need and deserve. Many are just ordinary folk, doing the best they can with what they have. I believe there is a possibility that in the event of a fire at my home, if they were informed that ammunition was present and possibly already enveloped in flame, they would simply back off to a safe distance and let the fire burn itself out. It is a natural reaction for self preservation, life over property. I would do the same. I can't fault them.

It seems to me the best option is to remove the source of the concern and relocate the ammo to a secure location not in my home.

This is exactly the broader definition context that I had intended when I used the words "cooking off" in my post. It's also based on my actual experiences in the Marine Corps and in Vietnam. On more than one occasion the Viet Cong fired rockets in to the ammunition dump at DaNang. That fireworks display rivaled anything, anywhere. One of my close friends was injured and permanently disabled that night from the flying shrapnel. I don't have that much ammunition stored, but the principle is the same.

(Emphasis has been added) I live in a metropolitan area and have the very same concerns. I also have the highest respect for all firefighters and first responders.

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That's what we do!

I use a potable, lockable large construction type tool box. Mine has an area to protect all but the lockface or area you use your key protected. (In ammo cans, labled of course.) PLus it sits a few inches off the ground and the only place water can enter is two and a half foot off the ground in case of flooding. In which case, I've always wondered if it would float with 600# of old paper shelled duck loads in it!

I noted in this thread that several of you store your ammo in the garage and you're also located in the South. Aren't you concerned about heat affecting it during the summer months?
Jim

The shelf posted by SweetMK is the one I bought to repleace the one that collapsed. It was $40 cheaper at Home Depot.



How hot do you think it gets in the South? It would take something more than humans can tolerate to damage stored ammo.

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No life story has happy end.

Now you're talking!

//In my best voice imitation of Davy Crockett// "Dang you beat me to it.''

I was going to say he can ship it to me but the only storage fee would be automatic half ownership of his stash. :-)))

I just keep most of mine in wooden wildlife boxes stored in a closet. Noprobs with humidity, heat, Nada.

Ever seen a grown man cry?

What's that rated for?

I'm looking for something that will hold stuff like this




Along with US 30 and 50 cal cans and boxes of 500 - 1000 rounds that come from online suppliers.

The tins are about 25lbs each and I have at least 20 of them that I can think off. Crates typically hold 2 tins and I have 5 of those. 1000 rounds of 45 is about 50lbs ....lets not forget cases of 223 ans 7.62x39 and so on.

So would something like that work with the assumption that more is always on the way?

SAAMI


http://www.saami.org/specifications_...tion_fires.pdf


http://saami.org/PDF/SAAMI_AmmoStorage.pdf


http://www.saami.org/specifications_...ammunition.pdf

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Still Running Against the Wind

The shelves look nice and organised but I'd be too worried about intruders.
I store most my ammo in the safe. I'm in the process of buying a second safe and then I'll will have firearms and ammunition separated.

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Jorge

I'd have to make a safe out of a room or keep buying massive safes

I now have 3 of these, when on sale $249.00 ea

RIDGID 48 in. x 24 in. Universal Storage Chest-2048-OS - The Home Depot


It holds a LOT of ammo! 16 cu. ft. of ammo storage space ea. Lockable and very secure.


When filled the only way your going to move it is with a FORKLIFT! You will go broke trying to fill it with ammo!

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I am the Majority
How about u

My shelves are 42" deep,,, there are oak 2x4's under the sheeting,,



These shelves can easily hold as many cast iron car engines as you can fit on them.

5,000 pounds per shelf would be no issue,,, I used 80 feet of this shelving to store steel parts for over a decade.

No failure,, the shelves were loaded/unloaded with a forktruck,, so they are tough,,,

For the Russian battle tins -- Get one of these, hollow it out and set it up in your front yard.



These statues have been available at a deep discount since the fall of the Soviet Union.
(BTW Russian battle tins are considered a fine source of excellent low priced ammo, if you can figure out how to open the tins!)

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Another good place to look for industrial pallet racks and shelving is most scrape metal yards. Like mentioned they will sell it by the lbs.

Those shelves look to be the same as the ones used at the local pick-a-part yard, with engines stacked upon them. I don't see an ammo fort causing them to fail.

Excellent suggestion by Ksimons about the scrap yards. I pick up aluminum billets at mine, and often see industrial shelving.

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- Post No Bills -

My solution is dead easy. I don't stockpile ammo. I might, but I have this silly fondness for sleeping indoors, taking essential meds, and eating regularly.

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Oh well, what the hell.

This may sound dumb but I use thinned down clear nail polish on the primer and around the neck of the bullet on My reloads.
I have been doing this for years and have never had a problem with the ammo feeding in My 1911 or any other of My firearms.
I got the idea from pulling surplus British 303 Caliber Bullets as They seem to use a kind of Tar around inside case neck to seal the projectile and a sealer on the primer.

For me, four drawer filing cabinets work well. I have several for this purpose.

regards

yashua

My problem would be the same as my chest freezer. What I'm after is always at the bottom.

Funny you mentioned chest freezers...I was going to suggest old discarded freezers for his storage solution. They have locks, so can be secured (okay, not real high security locks, but it's something to keep honest folk honest). You can bury the body of the chest freezer in the ground so that only about six inches or so projects above ground, enough to keep water and snow out--YMMV depending on your climate. Should be fairly fire resistant and temperature stable.

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Franklin, was trying to figure out what the name of the job boxes that the contractors use and you posted the link to rigid. Thanks for the link. Gotta get one for my power tools. Frank

Thing about Rigid boxes and JOBOXES, and the various construction boxes is they do provide pretty good security. The padlocks are recessed and difficult to break. The hinges are sometimes on the exterior but, Removing the end of the rod and pulling it out will NOT allow the box to open. I have seen some interesting attempts to open them when guys forgot/lost their keys. About the only way short of cutting up the box or picking the recessed lock is to use a 1/2 drill and a good bit to drill out both of the locks tumblers and then use something like a dental pick to reach inside the tumble hole and move the lock tooth. Not a 5 minute job. More like at least a 1/2 hour by somebody who knows exactly what they are doing once he has tools in hand.

They are available in many sizes and can easily be modified to stand on one end.

The redneck solution. I like it!

Is that washer and dryer on the front porch being used for anything?

I store my ammunition in a large, locking, steel cabinet, with adjustable shelves and a Goldenrod dehumidifier. There are any number of such cabinets available, from a large number of suppliers.

Didnt realise I already suggested a cure for this problem.