Storing Handloads in Garage?

[27 Man]

I have always stored my ammo, whether factory or hand loads, in the house. My reloading room has limited space and I am considering moving the ammo to shelving in the garage. The garage is attached to the house and the door is down the majority of the time. Do any of you for see any negative affects of doing this? With the cost of ammo these days I don't want to do anything that will damage any of it.

 

[Jc85]

two well three things come to mind..
1 humidity
2 / 3 - safety. can anyone just walk in and take it. can your child access it ezily.

I keep my ammo behind lock n key. fallow basic ammunition storage procedures and you can store it on the moon for what its worth.
as long as its a cool dry place to avoid corrosion there shouldn't be a problem barring #'s 2/3

 

[pbcaster]

I have always stored my ammo, whether factory or hand loads, in the house. My reloading room has limited space and I am considering moving the ammo to shelving in the garage. The garage is attached to the house and the door is down the majority of the time. Do any of you for see any negative affects of doing this? With the cost of ammo these days I don't want to do anything that will damage any of it.

Keep your ammo(factory or reloaded) out of direct sunlight, below 80 degrees farenheit and in LOW humidity, and it will probably last for generations.

About five years ago, I ordered and shot some Iraqui .303 ammo that was made around 1900 or so. Heaven knows how it was stored. It all shot with real accuracy and full power. That ammo was probably stored around 80-130 degrees there. Go figure.

The same applies to powder.

 

[Rule3]

The garage is not a good place for ammo or powder/primers. As mentioned heat, humidity. Just like powder a cool dry place is best. Ammo cans with desiccant pacs are good. In hot humid Florida, I keep it all inside in the air conditioned house.

In the summer I can't stand being in my garage for more than 10 minutes even with the door open and several large fans blowing.

 

[tops]

About 10 years ago I put some reloaded shotgun shells in a tool box on my tractor. I have not shot them all up yet but every time I try one it still shoots. My tractor is parked in an unheated building and used all year. Larry

 

[27 Man]

Thanks to all that replied. I guess it will stay in the house. The components were going to stay in anyway.

 

[enfield]

I store my powder and ammo in the house for longevity.

Except for the black powder - it's in the shed for safety.

 

[Smith357]

I store my ammunition in military ammo cans in my garage. I keep my powders sealed tight in the factory containers, and I also keep primers in ammo cans in my garage. I burn through it so fast it never sits out there for more than 6 months.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

For storing primers, brass, ammo, etc in containers I use Damp Rid. It's inexpensive ($5.00 for a 42 oz bag) and available everywhere. I place a small (6 to 8 oz) amount in a plastic yogurt tub and put it in the larger container. Humidity level averages around 25%. Make sure it's a sealed, airtight container. When the Damp Rid hardens I replace it. Much cheaper than the individual desiccants. Still, I wouldn't store any of this where there are severe temperature extremes. Stackable containers also work well when space is an issue.

 

[tmbrcruizr]

A little off the subject, but i recently had a speed strip of .357 go through the sanitary cycle of a front load washer, all five shot fine.

 

[bluetopper]

I keep my ammo and components in a locked storage room adjacent to my garage. I cut a hole in the wall and put a window unit AC in it but I only turn it on when I reload in there in the summer. No, conditions are not optimum for my components but all has worked out fine for me.

 

[SMSgt]

The garage is not a good place for ammo or powder/primers. As mentioned heat, humidity. Just like powder a cool dry place is best. Ammo cans with desiccant pacs are good. In hot humid Florida, I keep it all inside in the air conditioned house.

In the summer I can't stand being in my garage for more than 10 minutes even with the door open and several large fans blowing.

Tell me about it.

 

[duckloads]

For nearly 30 years I have stored shotgun shells in garage, out building, etc. Never a problem. BUT I would never think of storing my metallic cartridges outside. That's just me

 

[JohnnieB]

As mentioned, ammo cans (or other airtight containers) with desiccant if it is humid.

Also, a simple door with a top hinge might protect it from prying eyes and curious (or greedy) hands. I made some out of scrap 3/8" plywood.
A hinge every two feet or so, plus a lightweight chain and a hook on the door above to hold it open when you need both hands to move stuff.
Hasp and locks could be added if a little physical security is needed. Not much of a deterrence, but might keep honest folks honest.

 

[bamacisa]

I keep my reloaded plinking ammo in a enclosed garage. It does not get real hot or cold there and it stays dry (concrete floor) I keep the reloads on shelves about four feet off the floor.(or in sealed military ammo cans that are not on the floor) The garage door stays down and locked unless I am there. So far, (about twenty years) I have not had a single problem. I reload there also, but keep my powder and primers in the house. I do keep my factory ammo in the house. Other people might disagree with this arrangement, but it has worked for me.