In 2016 we had a flood of Biblical proportions . I had four USGI ammo cans that were submerged for about three days . When I was finally able to check the ammo inside it was bone dry . Other than what is stored in the cans , the rest of my ammo is in factory cardboard boxes sitting on the shelf in the closet .
Vacuum Sealing Ammo: Yae or Nae?
- Thread starter PlatypusWithaGun
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I have several 1000 rounds of 22LR and several 100 rounds of 45 Auto that was purchased between 1978 and 1980 that has been kept in an air conditioned home environment inside a range bag. I've shot portions of that ammo over the last 5 years with zero issues. 
tires2burn
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I tried vacuum sealing and didn't like it because it was a big lump and to hard to store. I use 1 gallon freezer bags with a couple of moisture pks and that gives me a full fill in my ammo cans.
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Another vote for GI ammo cans here. I experienced a flood due to a collapsed storm drain years ago, had several cans under water but didn't lose any ammo. The cans kept everything nice & dry. I do have a sealer and have bagged up ammo, mainly surplus or bulk packed stuff into smaller quantities but those bags then go into a GI can.
Some of the ammo storage stuff is overkill, IMHO. I have some ammo from the 70's that was/is just fine in gasketed ammo cans. I shot some last week.
Just put it in ammo can(s) with gaskets that aren't trash.
Just put it in ammo can(s) with gaskets that aren't trash.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Same here with reloading. I am still shooting 30/30 reloads I made in 1985. The projectiles come in boxes of 100. I needed to try out 100, 110, 130, 150 and 170 grain Bullets as well as cast 100 and 180 with gas check bullets. I had a ton of 30/30 brass dating back to the 1950s.My problem is I like to reload as much as shoot. I really don't think it would matter unless you keep your ammo outside in a shed.
i have shot WW2 .45 ACP and every round has fired.
I was gifted WW2 45 ACP several times over the years from people at my Church. The most recent 80 rounds last year was 50% duds. The boxes were so deteriorated that they toss them in a brown paper bag. I knew they were be junk.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Was that BC or AD? Asking for a friend.
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
I say if you have the equipment, time, and space, go for it. I have been vacuum sealing my ammo since 2015. When I break the seal on some for the range, it is still shiny bright brass like the day I bought it. Overkill? Maybe, but it will certainly out last me. Maybe my heirs will be able to use it in case of shtf. On the other hand, I've shot 30 year old reloads that ran just fine. Brass was way tarnished, but it worked just fine. I keep all my vacuum sealed ammo in the original box that it came in, then store the sealed boxes in ammo cans.
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There is still WW1 ammo being fired that works just fine. Thinking you are seeking a solution to a non problem.
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If you'll wipe these guns down with a lightly oiled soft cotton cloth annually or even every other year, you'll achieve the same results with far less time-consuming effort.
You're right but the various alleged solutions don't really hurt anything. It's just important that people know such procedures aren't necessary.
I just recently fired off a box of .44 PMC ammo that I've probably had stored in my gun safe in its original box for about 10 years at least if not 15. Took it to the range yesterday with my son to shoot an old Rossi .44 lever action that I had cut down in length for Cowboy Action Shooting and not only did every round fire without issue but using iron sites at 50 yards I was holding in a nice tight group.
Having said that I do still have a 1000 rounds of NATO grade .308 in the rubber seal combat carry packs for at least 20 years now and plan to purchase another 1000 rounds of PMC 5.56 in the same manner for long term storage.
DCameron
Member
supposed to keep in a cool dry place like powder for what it is worthI have ammo that I have reloaded years ago and never had a problem. Keep it in the house stored in plastic 100 round boxes. I have more ammo than I can shoot most times.
My problem is I like to reload as much as shoot. I really don't think it would matter unless you keep your ammo outside in a shed.
i have shot WW2 .45 ACP and every round has fired.
FLF
Member
Same here, have a few hundred rounds of WW2 .45 ACP that I occasionally shoot a mag or two. Stored un-airconditioned the first 40 years, airconditioned the last 40. Works fine.I have ammo that I have reloaded years ago and never had a problem. Keep it in the house stored in plastic 100 round boxes. I have more ammo than I can shoot most times.
My problem is I like to reload as much as shoot. I really don't think it would matter unless you keep your ammo outside in a shed.
i have shot WW2 .45 ACP and every round has fired.
Lt.Donn
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Sounds like a sound idea for those like minded folks
USGI ammo cans set the standard for keeping ammo safe from the elements, any effort beyond that might be better spent protecting your firearms from the elements, a dehumidifier, AC if in a region with high humidity, salt air, threat of flooding.
rifle
Member
I have 45acp from 1916, still shoots fine!
Ammo cans for stackability and flood protection.
I do like to fill them in the winter when humidity and temp are low to ensure the inside environment never gets down to a dew point.
I do put some in heat-sealed bags in the cans for when I don't want to drag a full ammo can to the range. One can isn't bad, but when you take 7 or 8 guns with 4 or 5 different loads taking full cans is just too much.
I do like to fill them in the winter when humidity and temp are low to ensure the inside environment never gets down to a dew point.
I do put some in heat-sealed bags in the cans for when I don't want to drag a full ammo can to the range. One can isn't bad, but when you take 7 or 8 guns with 4 or 5 different loads taking full cans is just too much.
If you were FMF, thank you brother!
Black powder has an indefinite shelf life.
Smokeless will be good for at least 75 years.
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