AMMO Storage

[loknload]

Where do you store your bulk ammo supplies?
I had all of mine stored in my basement which is finished and heated. I am now moving it to my unheated garage but will be stored in an enclosed wooden cabinet. My thought and tell me if I'm wrong is that for the most part this stuff is stored in unheated warehouses stacked on pallets. I believe that as long as it is kept dry, which it will be it should be ok.
Most of the stuff that I use on a regular basis for my handguns is stored in my safe which because ofneeding more gun space will probably move it out tothe garage as well

Your thoughts,,,,

Regards,
LnL

 

[Dragon88]

Milsurp ammo cans. Ammunition will last just about forever in these things. I have popped open cans of .30 ball from the fifties and sixties and the bandoliers looked like they had just been packed last week.

If you don't need the ammo to last for decades, big plastic bins from Wal-Mart will do the trick. Temperature doesn't matter too much, it's moisture and contaminants that will corrode ammunition.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

When using any airtight container, remember you are locking in the humidity level at the time of closure. If in doubt put in 8 oz. of Damp-Rid in a plastic container. You can get the moisture level down to 30 - 35 % and store primers, ammo, brass, etc forever. Also, cardboard absorbs and holds moisture, plastic doesn't.

 

[kennyb]

your unheated garage will work just fine...this topic has been covered here many times...mine has always been stored in an unheated garage here in the humid south...no problems whatsoever

 

[chief38]

The generally accepted answer is "a cool dry place". I would think that for long term storage a Garage would be too damp and too cold, but I have not personally tried this. My ammo, powders and primers are in my Basement which is air conditioned and heated, so I have not had any problems. Since moisture is the real culprit, that would be my primary concern. If you lived in an extremely dry climate, then the Garage might be OK, but I see that you are in Pa which is not what I would consider dry. If I lived there I would opt not to store ammo in a garage long term.

Chief38

 

[relic]

50 cal Milsurp cans

Ditto on the Milsurp ammo cans. The 50 cal size is the most practical in my case in terms of full weight and size. I keep several in a closet near my safe in the heated part of my home.

I could store them in the garage where I have more space, but I think it's best to avoid the temp and humidity cycles in that area. I also put a small desiccant pack in each can.

 

[1 old 0311]

 

[SMSgt]

OP, you're doing right in storing in a wooden container versus military ammo cans. That closet full of ammo cans is no more than a stack of grenades if fire breaks out. Think about it: lots of little explosives packed inside a hot container. Metal conducts heat rapidly; wood insulates, even when burning from the outside in.

Ammo cans are convenient when toting small amounts of ammo around, but they are less than satisfactory when exposed to hi temps. As long as your ammo is protected from moisture it's fine.

 

[1 old 0311]

OP, you're doing right in storing in a wooden container versus military ammo cans. That closet full of ammo cans is no more than a stack of grenades if fire breaks out. Think about it: lots of little explosives packed inside a hot container. Metal conducts heat rapidly; wood insulates, even when burning from the outside in.

Ammo cans are convenient when toting small amounts of ammo around, but they are less than satisfactory when exposed to hi temps. As long as your ammo is protected from moisture it's fine.

Make sure you pass that info/opinion to the military. They have obviously doing it wrong for the past 100 tears.

 

[chief38]

Both you guys are correct in your own ways.................

By storing ammo in Milsurp. cans you will keep them dry, immune to the elements which is a good thing.

By storing ammo in wooden crates, cardboard boxes, or other soft sided containers, you make the ammo subject to the ambient weather (not a good thing) but the stored ammo is much safer because in case of a fire it will not turn into a grenade as the poster above stated.

This is the dilemma that has been debated for on-going years now. The reason the Military stores ammo in cans is for longevity in all different weather climates all over the world! I do not think their primary concern is for storing ammo in a residence. They have designated ammo dumps and I would hope those ammo dumps are far enough away from Soldiers that if the SHTF the personnel would be safe enough away.

I mostly store my ammo on a shelf in my basement (in a locked closet) which is is air conditioned and heated. I put the ammo boxes directly on the shelves, (no containers). I do also have a few Milsurp. cans of Lake City 30-06 ammo and some 30 carbine ammo that remain in the original cans. The ammo is 60 + years old and is as good today as it was when new.

Like I said, this is a dilemma!

Regards,
Chief38

 

[rrobertson]

Personally I buy NEW .50 cal ammo containers about 3 at a time while theyre available. I have stored upwards of 9k rounds of ammo in various calibers and have not had a problem, the military has been doing it for years without desicant packets, me I use the packets, 1packet per container.

For storing .45 in a .50cal container I only put 1k in each. It will hold around 1400rds but will weigh around 60lbs. 500rds 12ga will fit into a .50cal container. 250rds 12ga will fit perfectly in a .30cal container. If you put a pack of desicant in each container the ammo will last longer then you will remember where you put it. If you open the container more then a few times a year I recommend changing out the desicant pack around once a year. Theyre cheap as hell anyways.

If you plan on having seperate ammo storages(ie seperate piles of containers for storage and then seperate containers for range/target/hunting use. I recommend labeling the storage containers so you dont keep opening them if you dont have to. I keep around 5-600 rounds of target ammo(handgun+shotgun) and around 1k of target ammo(rifle) for each caliber stored seperately from my long term storage ammo. Which works out well especially when there are deals on ammo I then know that my long term storage ammo just got bigger in quantity.

Also I would not put the metal containers on a bare concreate floor. A piece of carpet/wood what have you would suffice, just something to get it off the concreate. Just for the reason that no matter if you have the best of climate control a concreate floor will fluctuate in temperature regardless and that fluctuation is what causes condensation in a metal container.

 

[SMSgt]

Make sure you pass that info/opinion to the military. They have obviously doing it wrong for the past 100 tears.

Apples and oranges response. And the military tends to store large bulks of ammo away from the troops in protected bunkers and the sort, and still in wood containers in many cases. In all my service days, not once did I see any large amount of ammo stored anywhere near personnel. In fact, there were very specific rules regarding size/quantity of munitions and the required distance from personnel. Never did I see any procedures for storing ammo in the bedroom closet with the kids in the next room. And finally, perhaps you should have your homeowners insurance agent take a look at your storage methods and see if they choose to continue to underwrite your policy.

One might also want to review local ordinances as some municipalities regulate the storage of explosives (including ammunition) as to amounts and methods. Sometimes they tend to get protective of first responders arriving at a scene that happens to be packed with things that go bang in the heat.

 

[1 old 0311]

Apples and oranges response. And the military tends to store large bulks of ammo away from the troops in protected bunkers and the sort, and still in wood containers in many cases. In all my service days, not once did I see any large amount of ammo stored anywhere near personnel. In fact, there were very specific rules regarding size/quantity of munitions and the required distance from personnel. Never did I see any procedures for storing ammo in the bedroom closet with the kids in the next room.

A) I realize with you in the Air Force your exposure to small arms, and ammo, is probably a 'bit' limited. Protected bunkers? I may indeed be in error but in my 2 years in Vietnam I don't recall seeing any, then again my time was spent in the field, not living in a barracks on an airstrip. That may indeed be where Air Force people keep weapons, after all they have Army and Marines protecting them.

B) Who said anything about "KIDS IN THE NEXT ROOM?" While making up stories about people who don't live in my home may help your little drama story it is complete lie. Sticks with the FACTS. You always come out looking better.

 

[oldman45]

Whatever works for you will work well.

I store my ammo in 100 round plastic ammo boxes. I have a few hundred of them in my gun room and a few in closets, the garage, the storage building and a couple in my pickup tool box. Holds the ammo just fine, are reusable, keeps the ammo dry and I find them to be a good size for carrying to the range. I just grab a couple in the caliber I will be shooting and head to the range.

They are easy to tote and they are not as heavy as a metal can full of rounds and a lot cheaper to buy.

Here is a photo of a few of mine.

 

[largecaliberman]

Ammo Storage

I store my ammo in ammo cans for my bulk ammo, plastic boxes and "original" factory ammo boxes. I once purchased a lot of of 50 ammo cans at an auctions and used them all up storing not only my loaded ammo but the casted and lubed bullet head as well. I also have the plastic ones for ready packing when I go shooting . I also have hundreds and hundreds of used factory ammo boxes that I usually acquire on a regular basis from an indoor shooting range and instead of buying the plastic ones, I repack them and use them for storage.

 

[Pokerstar]

A few observations....

1) I have been keeping sealed battle packs sealed in the garage, that should be ok.

2) open battle packs, or loose ammo have been stored in sealed ammo cans in the garage, that should be ok.

3) I just keep a few boxes of self defense ammo in my room, in a closet, in the cardboard. That should be ok. (No kids in my house)

4) After seeing the quantity of ammo you all have, i don't feel so badly about my supplies!

Happy holidays to one and all!

 

[SMSgt]

A) I realize with you in the Air Force your exposure to small arms, and ammo, is probably a 'bit' limited. Protected bunkers? I may indeed be in error but in my 2 years in Vietnam I don't recall seeing any, then again my time was spent in the field, not living in a barracks on an airstrip. That may indeed be where Air Force people keep weapons, after all they have Army and Marines protecting them.

B) Who said anything about "KIDS IN THE NEXT ROOM?" While making up stories about people who don't live in my home may help your little drama story it is complete lie. Sticks with the FACTS. You always come out looking better.

A) I can't help it if you chose pup tents, water-filled foxholes, and C-rations over air-conditioned dormatories, swimming pools and steak & crab on Fridays. There's probably a few old Marine and Soldiers around who still appreciate the efforts of my B-52s on those rare occasions we actually made an effort to do our part, providing it didn't interfere with our club schedule. But then, someone had to get those Buffs into the air and over Hanoi that one Christmas holiday, finally convincing the North that perhaps they needed to get back to the table and make some kind of agrrement, even if proven worthless.

B) And the photo of the closet with the 15 ammo cans and various other containers/belts of ammo? I don't recall anyone saying, "I live alone so there's no one else's safety involved." While you may live alone, others may not, and a bad example is a bad example--wherever applied. Fire, like a discharged round, isn't particular who it affects. That's a fact! And where did all those news reels of wood crates of ammo being hauled out of the Hueys come from? Hollywood?

 

[loknload]

A lot of good replies here,,, thanks for the ideas and comments.
The ammo I have for my carry pieces I keep in a drawer in my bedroom closet, the bulk of the stuff was kept in a basement cabinet which I have cleaned out and placed in a cabinet in the garage, wooden cabinet, high shelf.
I will be cleaning out the safe of any ammo as well because I need more space for more guns!

 

[1 old 0311]

A) I can't help it if you chose pup tents, water-filled foxholes, and C-rations over air-conditioned dormatories, swimming pools and steak & crab on Fridays. There's probably a few old Marine and Soldiers around who still appreciate the efforts of my B-52s on those rare occasions we actually made an effort to do our part, providing it didn't interfere with our club schedule. But then, someone had to get those Buffs into the air and over Hanoi that one Christmas holiday, finally convincing the North that perhaps they needed to get back to the table and make some kind of agrrement, even if proven worthless.

B) And the photo of the closet with the 15 ammo cans and various other containers/belts of ammo? I don't recall anyone saying, "I live alone so there's no one else's safety involved." While you may live alone, others may not, and a bad example is a bad example--wherever applied. Fire, like a discharged round, isn't particular who it affects. That's a fact! And where did all those news reels of wood crates of ammo being hauled out of the Hueys come from? Hollywood?

Thanks! I HAD to forward this to my brother. We have an ongoing discussion/laugh how -E-V-E-R-Y- Air Force guy refers to "MY B-52's" though most have not flown one, ridden in one or even SEEN one. Guess it is like someone who lives in Green Bay saying 'MY TEAM?'

 

[KJM]

A) I can't help it if you chose pup tents, water-filled foxholes, and C-rations over air-conditioned dormatories, swimming pools and steak & crab on Fridays.

of my B-52s

I'm happy to see you had such a comfortable time, while men fought and died. Let me guess.... joined the AF to avoid being drafted right?
If all men thought like you wrote above, you would be speaking German.

Do you still have all "Your B-52's"?

Every freakin AF guy that did nothing, all talk about B-52s like they owned them. Give it a rest. You made a good point already about how you sat around in air conditioned "dormatories" with swimming pools eating steak and crab.... what a hero YOU are...

I would be ashamed to admit what you wrote.

You downplay the SACRIFICES that men made with their lives... you make a joke about it? Pathetic.