Ammo storage

[maverick88]

I currently have some CCI ammo stored in my garage. It`s below freezing and the garage floor is often wet. Should these be stored elsewhere?

 

[Dragon88]

Yes.

......

 

[john16443]

Every box I have says "Store in a cool dry place". It certainly needs to stay dry, and it really doesn't like big temperature changes or temperature extremes. If you can, I'd suggest you move it to a location in the basement (assuming you have one), or some other location inside that would not be found easily by kids and such.

 

[grimreaper21]

what about average household temps around 70-80*F? too hot?

 

[Chuck Jones]

Yes, not so much from the cold but the dampness.

Normal household temps are fine. It's more like trunk of the car hot, or attic in summer hot, that you should avoid.

/c

 

[john16443]

what about average household temps around 70-80*F? too hot?

Not at all!! Hot for ammo I would say is anything over 110.

 

[Dragon88]

what about average household temps around 70-80*F? too hot?

Seriously? That's like the perfect temperature to sustain anything.

People over think this question so much. Keep the ammunition in the coolest, driest place you can. If you are comfortable in it, the ammunition is probably fine too. A freezing, wet garage or basement = no. A closet inside the house = yes. That simple. And even if you did store it in the worst conditions your home can provide, it would probably shoot just fine months or years later.

Use common sense.

 

[grimreaper21]

i figured it was fine there and wasn't about to move it anytime soon, just wondered 70*F is not necessarily 'cool' so i figured i'd ask.

maverick if you want to keep it in the garage i'd put it up higher on a shelf. although if moisture is really a problem then maybe get it out of there.

 

[Scuds03]

I keep mine in those plastic water tight ammo carriers you can find for cheap, sometimes free with deals. I live in So-Cal so temp stays prettey stable throughout the year and never gets freezing.

For moisture I always save those silica packets that come with all sorts of things you buy. I just throw a couple of those in each container with the ammo.

 

[rtquig]

Mine sit in dry boxes on the floor in my bedroom closet.

 

[chuck s]

A "thirty cal" ammo can will store a couple thousand .22LR cartridges and is impervious to weather, etc. $5 at any gun show.

-- Chuck

 

[UpstateNY]

As others have mentioned an nice dry box or ammo can is an ideal place to store them. Throw in a reusable desiccant tin and you're good to go. They are currently on sale at Midway too.

Hydrosorbent Silica Gel Desiccant Dehumidifier 40 Gram (Protects 3 Cubic Feet) Canister - MidwayUSA

 

[CBR240]

I'm in agreement with Chuck. Military ammo cans can be found cheap at gun shows and elsewhere (but shipping can kill a great deal if ordered online). With desiccant in them (or maybe not?) they will hold ammo fresh for decades.
And I just like Military Ammo Cans.

 

[GeoffSFAs10]

Yup, I have a couple 30 and 50 cal cans that i store all my ammo in. 12ga almost fits perfectly in a 30 cal can and in 1 .50 can i have two boxes of 525 federal, 80 rounds 7.62x54r and a couple boxes of 45 ACP. They are quiet large and hold ALOT of ammo.

 

[maverick88]

I moved all my ammo to my night stand. It`s all in Military Ammo cans so it should be alright. My guns are their too. I wanted them to all be in the same place in case of( God forbid ) there`s a fire. All the children are growin and gone.
When we have company Grandpa`s room is locked. I think where alright.

 

[chuck s]

You need to buy more ammo! Mine would never fit in my night stand.

-- Chuck

 

[disturbed0013]

i use these to store my ammo in, cheap price have a rubber o ring to help keep out moisture


http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...t=ammo+dry+boxes&x=17&y=15&Ntt=ammo+dry+boxes

 

[maverick88]

You need to buy more ammo! Mine would never fit in my night stand.

-- Chuck

I need my rifle back from S&W so I can use it up.
Till than I quess I`ll be shooting my Mark III 22/45.
Got me to thinking what my inventory is,a little over 4000.
Your right I need more.

 

[tacticool22]

How much ammo is enough? What calibers? What percentage of your home should be ammo? I like the idea of using those dessicant pacs that come in everything. They're free, so what the heck.

 

[Jav]

My box of CCI Blazers sit in a bookshelf inside my bedroom closet. No worries there

 

[Spydered]

Hello everyone new to the site and glad to be here... I keep my ammo in MTM ammo cans, sealed and safe...Pretty cheap too...

 

[Dream to Dream]

Any reason to leave the ammo in original boxes, aside from convenience of inventory or selection? I tend to dump "loose" rounds (.22 boxes, bulk packs of 9mm WWB) straight into surplus ammo cans and be done with it.

 

[Baggerdude]

I have 9 mm S/B ammo that is maybe 7-8 years old. It has been in the original cardboard boxes in my cellar ... which is pretty much dry. Rounds worked fine thru my M&P 9 mm with out a hiccup. Better than the new stuff I bought.

I now store my rounds in dry boxes I get from Cabelas. Seems every time I order some ammo from Cabelas, I get a dry box. Pretty good deal IMO.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I use the plastic storage boxes that have a seal, military ammo cans and I sometimes use freezer type zip lock bags, especially for small quantities.

 

[jkc]

Ammo manufacturers have told me that powder can be damaged by prolonged exposure to "high" temperatures, such as might be reached in garages or sheds in the south or southwestern states (100 degrees, plus...), and primers and powder both by exposure to solvent fumes. Apart from corrosion issues, there is apparently no concern about humidity, or low temperature storage (although powder ignited at low temps will produce lower pressures than that started at higher temps --- probably only significant to long range rifle shooters...) From what I've been told by the people who make modern ammo, "keep your powder dry" is no longer the operative admonition --- "keep your powder cool, and fume free" is the contemporary caution.

One good reason to keep ammo in its original packaging is to write its acquisition date on the packaging, so as to be able to use a "first in, first out" rotation, i.e., using older ammo first, especially important if you're stockpiling large quantities of similarly packaged ammo.

 

[grimreaper21]

A "thirty cal" ammo can will store a couple thousand .22LR cartridges and is impervious to weather, etc. $5 at any gun show.

-- Chuck

thats sexy! did you fit 9 "333" packs in there?
i'm seeing a bunch of sizes, which are you using? and wouldn't the government use one standardized size or are there all different kinds? these are just for 30 cal size boxes.

3-1/2" x 10'' x 7"

3-1/2 x 10-1/4" x 6.5"

3-3/4'' x 11'' x 7-1/4''

3'' x 10'' x 7''

 

[Dream to Dream]

One good reason to keep ammo in its original packaging is to write its acquisition date on the packaging, so as to be able to use a "first in, first out" rotation, i.e., using older ammo first, especially important if you're stockpiling large quantities of similarly packaged ammo.

Thanks. Fortunately, all my ammo was acquired in roughly the same time frame, so it isn't a concern. But I'll keep your advice in mind as time passes and I need to rotate stock.