Ammo storage

T

twhidd

New member
How do you guys store your ammo? After several thousand rounds of various calibers, I have run out of room on the bottom shelf of my gun safe. I guess I could get some of the steel ammo boxes, but it would take several. Then they could go in the closet. Any other suggestions?
 
You said it, surplus ammo cans on the floor in the closet. My gun safe isn't big enough for much ammo storage. IIRC, a .50 ammo can will hold roughly 600 rds of typical boxed 9mm, .40, .45, FMJ ammo.
 
Yep, steel ammo cans is your best bet IMO. What I do is buy containers of desiccant from a craft store and fill up empty teabags with it and throw a couple in each can. Seems to keep them from showing any tarnish at all.

They also sell pre-packaged desiccant pouches online (and I'm sure other places).
 
I bought a steel gun cabinet (10 gun), bolted adjustable shelf brackets to the inside walls and put in 5 or six shelves and use it for storing my ammo. It has a lock and that keeps the grandkids from getting too curious. Works fine for me and my wife is quite happy to have the shelf space freed up in the back closet.
 
Stack it on top of the safe ....in ammo cans, plastic boxes ...whatever..

I just line it up / in boxes of 50 or 100 ... and have probably 10,000 rounds in various calibers stacked up there ...
 
Peejman- You said it, surplus ammo cans on the floor in the closet. My gun safe isn't big enough for much ammo storage. IIRC, a .50 ammo can will hold roughly 600 rds of typical boxed 9mm, .40, .45, FMJ ammo.
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"100 CTG 50 cal" cans will hold about 1k of 9mm in boxes. I haven't tried anything else in this size can. I switched mostly to the next size. But the old cans do hold lots of used brass. ;)

"800 CTG 5.56mm" or "SAW Cans" will do 1600 9mm or 1400 .45 or 520 12ga 2 3/4in all in boxes

Those are the only two types of cans that I have seen loaded. Heard claims of folks using the 40mm mortar cans for ungodly amounts of ammo but then who the heck can move it around to get to other cans behind that one. Not many other variations around the gun shows in this area. Every once in a blue moon you can find an Ex Russian Block ammo can but I haven't seen one loaded to know what it will hold. Seems to be about the size of a "SAW Can" but laid on its side with the lid on one of the large sides.

I would stick with the Metal cans if your going to go this route. The few plastic imitation cases I have seen haven't impressed me and all plastic when heated in a closet in the summer will warp. Just a question of when. Also put a desiccant pack in each can for long term storage. I use the 30 to 40 gram ones that come in with most electronics equipment in my cans. But then I can get those for just going into work and being the volunteer to haul in the equipment shipments.

Radioman
 
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the 20MM cans will hold thousands of 9mm (and probably get too heavy to lift if full), otherwise the basic green 50 cans works great. make sure the seal is in good shape to keep moisture under control
 
Stack-On is the answer,,, Maybe,,,,,

Go to the walmart website and search for their gun cabinets,,,
The Stack-On Brand are heavy steel cabinets with a good locking system.

The reason I say buy it from WalMart is that they will get it from the factory,,,
Then have it shipped to the store nearest your location on a "Site-To-Store" purchase,,,
That way you get the typical low price from WalMart and avoid any shipping charges.

They are gun cabinets,,,
not gun safes.

But they keep your ammo organized,,,
And keep the kids out of it.

Hope this helps.
 
Before we went on our last vacation, I realized that the $3,000+ (priced at what I paid for it) worth of ammo that I keep on hand was post-election valued at about $5,000 and could NOT be replaced if stolen. I considered a stack-on cabinet, but they don't seem secure enough for thieves out in the country who don't have to worry about making a little noise. I wound up fabricating a nearly indestructible box (the lid alone weighs about 60 pounds) thats bolted down in the corner of a closet. Didn't worry about my ammo at all for the 2 weeks we were on the road :)
 
When I ran out of room I just went and bought a stack-on ammo cabinet and through in a remington dehumidifier.

Does the trick for me, cheap and effective. No need to over kill the situation IMO.
 
I have a couple 40MM ammo cans, they have latches on both ends. They have about the volume of three or four 50cal cans and store a lot of ammo. Just don't ever try to move 'em.

Whenever I get new shoes or electronics, I save the little desiccant packs and toss a couple in each ammo can. Keeps the powder dry.
 
I like steel GI ammo cans in general. I have however, purchased several stackable watertight plastic ammo storrage boxes from Academy Sports. I don't think they would take the abuse a steel can would, but they store ammo just fine and stack nicely. $6.99 a piece.
 
Once you get your ammo cans, go to office depot or staples and buy a locking file cabinet. They are great for storing ammo cans and secure enough to keep kids away from your goods
 
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