Ammo storage

[smokindog]

PERPLEXED

I KNOW they are called ammo cans, BUT, I have concerns keeping ammo in these METAL cans or any other such rigid metallic confinement containers. I'm not including the plastic "dry boxes".

My worries are when they are used to store ammo in the house, say a closet, and there's a fire. I'm NOT worried about open stored ammo because when they bake off all they'll do is pop and perhaps help the fire a long a bit. I'm worried that using the metal cans has just created an IED. I don't know what pressures are required but some of those cans seal pretty well and they are fairly strong.

Looking for thoughts as I NEVER latch the lids on metal cans containing ammo in fear of creating a problem.

 

[DaSandmanCometh]

There is no sense in worrying about things that you can not control. Being prepared for a fire is one thing, but worrying about what cartridges would do in a fire is a lesson in futility. I would think that if anything the metal cans would help fragments from exploding cartridges from going everywhere. In order for it to become an IED, you would need a good amount of cartridges in it and they would have to all go off at the same time, which isn't going to happen. Stop worrying about some possible event and live life man.

 

[smokindog]

Thanks for your response but I kind of disagree. I can control whether I've created a dangerous situation. From the SAMMI spec on storage

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...zadzCFu59cz_ZE_wThuSe9w&bvm=bv.60157871,d.cWc

If primers are loose or in bulk, having contact one
with another, one primer exploding can, and usually will, cause a violent, sympathetic explosion of all primers so situated. In other words, one primer exploding for any reason under these circumstances will normally cause all of the primers to explode in one violent blast.
​

A 30 or 50 cal can will hold a BUNCH of handgun ammo and the chain reaction of primers going off igniting the rounds in a confined space is exactly one of my concerns!

Looking for some science

There is no sense in worrying about things that you can not control. Being prepared for a fire is one thing, but worrying about what cartridges would do in a fire is a lesson in futility. I would think that if anything the metal cans would help fragments from exploding cartridges from going everywhere. In order for it to become an IED, you would need a good amount of cartridges in it and they would have to all go off at the same time, which isn't going to happen. Stop worrying about some possible event and live life man.

 

[ladyT]

Thanks for your response but I kind of disagree. I can control whether I've created a dangerous situation. From the SAMMI spec on storage

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...zadzCFu59cz_ZE_wThuSe9w&bvm=bv.60157871,d.cWc

If primers are loose or in bulk, having contact one
with another, one primer exploding can, and usually will, cause a violent, sympathetic explosion of all primers so situated. In other words, one primer exploding for any reason under these circumstances will normally cause all of the primers to explode in one violent blast.
​

A 30 or 50 cal can will hold a BUNCH of handgun ammo and the chain reaction of primers going off igniting the rounds in a confined space is exactly one of my concerns!

Looking for some science

This might help some.


SAAMI

 

[smokindog]

Thanks LadyT!

I've watched that video but. unless I missed something, all the tests are in cardboard or other non-confining packaging. I'm not concerned about that. I understand that behavior.

My concern is when the ammunition is placed in a tightly sealed metal enclosure (ammo can) and heated to ignition temperatures. Does it now resemble a pipe bomb? I don't know the pressures that can actually develop inside that can. That's the question I have.

This might help some.


SAAMI

 

[Newhouse]

I think the individual cartridges will explode/ignite in the box some at the same time but will not have the effect of a large pipe bomb. Since the powder is separated by the cartridges, you will not have the same effect if all the powder is dump inside the ammo can.