5.56 ammo storage?

NamibianAmphibian · Mar 25, 2011

I ordered a few hundred rounds of loose bulk 5.56 ammo and am now looking for good options for storing it.

My first choice would be a surplus 5.56 ammo can but I can't seem to locate any (all local and online suppliers I have checked are sold out).

I'm not too picky. The storage would have to be something easy to pick up and carry, sturdy so that it won't fall apart, and something cool looking would be a plus.

Any suggestions?

MPDC · Mar 25, 2011

I like these..................

Ammunition To Go : 1 - USGI 50cal. Ammo Can - New [NEWAMMOCAN] - $13.95

NamibianAmphibian · Mar 25, 2011

MPDC said:
I like these..................

Ammunition To Go : 1 - USGI 50cal. Ammo Can - New [NEWAMMOCAN] - $13.95

Thanks. The 50 cal can is an option, but I'd prefer something smaller if I can find one. As I understand, a 50 cal can will fit about 1000 rounds of 5.56 which is a good deal more capacity than I need in a single can.

Any ideas where I might find a 5.56 can?

Chicagobluline14 · Mar 25, 2011

eBay would be a good place to start, go for a 7.62 can, holds about 500 rounds of loose 5.56 ammo. I picked some up from rsindustries wholesaler, found them on ebay but they are local in Chicago, and the cans are in great shape.

Foxtrot · Mar 25, 2011

Maybe something from here > Military Surplus Ammo Can including Collectible WWII ammo box at Coleman's Military Surplus

You can find a ton of cans surplus all over the internet. Remember also, that metal cans are not the only option. Your only doing a few hundred rounds, and probably going to use those in the near future anyway, so it should be no problem finding a smaller cheap plastic container of some sort in the "house wares" department at Wal Mart, heck get these and use the rest around the house > http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lock-and-Lock-10-Piece-Food-Storage-Set/13863685

MPDC · Mar 25, 2011

Military Surplus 5.56 MM Ammo Can (Empty)

Maybe plastic is good for a couple hundred rounds but even with 500 pistol rounds (9MM) the boxes distort when picked up by the handle. Plastic just doesn't have enough strength for ammo, IMHO.

NamibianAmphibian · Mar 25, 2011

MPDC said:
Military Surplus 5.56 MM Ammo Can (Empty)

Maybe plastic is good for a couple hundred rounds but even with 500 pistol rounds (9MM) the boxes distort when picked up by the handle. Plastic just doesn't have enough strength for ammo, IMHO.

Thanks. That is what I need.

I definitely like the metal box. The last thing I want to be doing is picking up hundreds of rounds off the ground when a plastic box breaks.

Chicagobluline14 said:
eBay would be a good place to start

I looked on ebay again and also found what I want. Thanks for the suggestion. I think it is either a new listing or maybe I searched "ammo can" instead of "ammo box". Either way I'm happy.

Mack · Mar 25, 2011

FYI the mililtary uses the .50 cal sized can to hold 820 rounds of 5.56 ammo in clips and bandoleers. The 7.62 can is sized to hold 200 rounds of linked so for 500 rounds of bulk 5.56 the 7.62 or .30 caliber can is a better fit.

tacticool22 · Mar 26, 2011

Preload a bunch of stripper clips so you can quickly load your mags. They are a cheep and convenient way of storing a bunch of ammo.
Magpul mags have a handy way of keeping the spring pressure off the feed lips when the mag is loaded.

Frailer · Mar 26, 2011

Mack said:
FYI the mililtary uses the .50 cal sized can to hold 820 rounds of 5.56 ammo in clips and bandoleers. The 7.62 can is sized to hold 200 rounds of linked so for 500 rounds of bulk 5.56 the 7.62 or .30 caliber can is a better fit.

Exactly. If the .50 cal can is too big, so's the 5.56 mm, as they're the same size.

MPDC · Mar 26, 2011

Mack said:
FYI the mililtary uses the .50 cal sized can to hold 820 rounds of 5.56 ammo in clips and bandoleers. The 7.62 can is sized to hold 200 rounds of linked so for 500 rounds of bulk 5.56 the 7.62 or .30 caliber can is a better fit.

That is good information. I have always used the 50 cal. cans so the sites advertising the 5.56 cans ALONG with the 50 cal cans are sort of misleading, I guess. Good info.

NamibianAmphibian · Mar 26, 2011

MPDC said:
That is good information. I have always used the 50 cal. cans so the sites advertising the 5.56 cans ALONG with the 50 cal cans are sort of misleading, I guess. Good info.

Yes, great info guys! I knew the 7.62 cans were smaller than the 50 cal. cans so I assumed the 5.56 cans would be proportionally smaller.

It also explains why the few 5.56 cans I found were explicitly labeled 5.56. I guess that is the difference between the two cans - nothing more than what is written on the side.

Still, I do like the idea of a surplus can with "5.56MM Ball M855" on the side since that is what will be stored in it. Maybe I need to buy a bunch more ammo to justify the larger container.

I like the stripper clip idea a lot too.

tacticool22 · Mar 26, 2011

The way I remember, the larger cans had the .50 linked belts or a lot of loose 5.56. The cans are marked so you don't have to guess.
The smaller can is for 200 rounds of the 7.62 linked belt for the M60. Great for a fixed fighting position. Not so good when you're mobile.

MPDC · Mar 26, 2011

" Maybe I need to buy a bunch more ammo to justify the larger container. "

Good plan! I like it!

DarwinsMistake · Mar 28, 2011

NamibianAmphibian said:
I ordered a few hundred rounds of loose bulk 5.56 ammo and am now looking for good options for storing it.

My first choice would be a surplus 5.56 ammo can but I can't seem to locate any (all local and online suppliers I have checked are sold out).

I'm not too picky. The storage would have to be something easy to pick up and carry, sturdy so that it won't fall apart, and something cool looking would be a plus.

Any suggestions?

My ammo storage is a 2011 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 ..

But seriously I purchased some of the high strength ammo boxes from Cabela's , they were about $8.00 a piece..Which means you can most likely find them for $5.00 somewhere else..The ones I picked up have that new dot camo...

enginesix · Mar 30, 2011

I use 50 cal. ammo cans, with no problem.

Tbat · Mar 30, 2011

If you have an Atwoods near you they will usually have some surplus ammo cans. I can't comment on how reasonable the price is as I haven't looked in a while.

NamibianAmphibian · Mar 30, 2011

I realized I forgot to update the thread. I bought a 5.56 can on ebay for about $20 shipped.

Looks like this only not as beat up.

vintage-m855-ammo-cuban-belinda-cigar-box-unique-item_260725253897.jpg

I'll keep my eyes open for a smaller can locally as I think a smaller one would be handy for trips to the range.

fat tom · Mar 30, 2011

Glad I bought all I'll ever need when they were a buck a piece!
f.t.

beemerphile · Mar 31, 2011

There is a Pelican case - I think it is the 1400 but not sure - that is perfectly sized for ten loaded thirty round USGI mags. It is plastic, but it is lockable, waterproof, and you could run over it with a truck. 300 rds. Kitted and ready to go. Get it while the mags are cheap.

5.56 ammo storage?

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

US Veteran

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Absent Comrade

Member

Similar threads