I have several military ammo cans, 50 cal. I am curious about storing loose, bulk ammo (pistol and rifle) in the cans. Do you line the can with anything before putting the ammo in, or just put ammo in the can "as is"? I've always stored factory ammo in their respective boxes and reloads in MTM plastic 50/100 round boxes. But this doesn't allow as much storage, due to the size of the containers; as storing loose rounds.

I know lots of folks store their ammo loose in the cans, just looking for suggestions on how to do so-correctly, without damaging my ammo. Appreciate any help/info.

And BTW, Happy New Year to my Forum family

I use .30 and .50 cal steel ammo cans for storage of bulk ammo. Just fill the can, add a silica pack for longer term storage, and close the lid. Never had an issue, reloads or factory.

Larry

^^^What he said. FWIW I always toss in a dessicant pack. The Federal 275 and 325 boxes fill a .50 nicely. The 50 round paper boxes will fill either can nicely. I save the 275 and 325 boxes for stuff that comes in odd or really large containers, just because it's easier to deal with 325 rounds than 16,000...

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Certified Curmudgeon

This brings up another question I had, is it safe/okay to store loose/bulk 22 rimfire ammo in such large quantities? I've seen youtube videos where people put 3,250-4,000 rounds of 22 ammo in ammo cans; is there any risk of them going off being stored in bulk like that?

A desiccant pack is a good idea, but I don't even do that, but my ammo is stored inside my house where it is climate controlled.

I think it is highly unlikely to have any round, whether rimfire or centerfire, go off just from being loose packed in a can.

No, Remington and others sell loose .22 in bulk containers. I used to buy bulk ammo at gun shows that came in metal ammo cans; typically 500 .45acp or 9mm; no issues at all (except for the weight)

Here’s what I do. Make sure can interior is clean and dry. Fill with ammo and let the open can sit in direct sunlight so that the contents get warmed. Toss in a desiccant pack and shut the lid.

I’ve done this with all kinds and brands of loose ammo including commercial and milsurp with good results. In fact I opened a can of surplus 7.62x51the other day that I put up 8 years ago and it hissed when I opened the can.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

The only loose ammo I've got rolling around in ammo cans is shotgun shells. For other ammo, if I don't have the factory box any longer, I buy Plano or Case Gard plastic cases, and store them in ammo cans. I think it's generally safe to store it loose, but I like to be a little better organized than a pile o' shells. Helps me track how many rounds I shoot at the range, and also I don't have to lug a 30 pound ammo can to the Jeep when I want to shoot. Even though my guns and ammo are stored in my home office, inside the main house, I keep the desiccant packs that come with shipped and boxed items that I buy/get delivered, and toss them in the ammo cans . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I second what Muss Muggins said. I reload and box and label all my ammo. It lets me know what's in the ammo and when I loaded it. Just the extra weight of loose rounds in an ammo can would be burdensome. I put little rechargeable (in the oven) gadgets in the ammo can. I actually store more ammo in the 20mm cans than the 50 cal. size.

Amen, 3000-4000 rounds of .22 is heavy.

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Certified Curmudgeon

But very comforting!-

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Here's some pic's of what I did for my 500 reloads to store them in a 7.62 box. One thing I like about those ammo boxes is the rubber seal for the lid!!

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Someone makes zip lock type bags that are the same size as a 50 caliber ammo can. I bet you could fill those up and not worry. For that matter, quart or gallon sized zip locks could make it easier to store different ammo in the same can, if you wanted.