Best Way to Store Ammo?

V

Vinnie Harold

New member
Hi.

Due to the "shortage" of ammo, I like many others decided to stock up whenever I find a sale.

How do I store this ammo that I may not be using for a year or more..I live in Florida, so would my hot and humid garage be a bad place?
I am not afraid of it exploding, but rather heat, moisture, and humidity compromising the rounds...or am I overly concerned.

All of this ammo is factory CCI Blazer Brass or mini-mags, Fed. Am. Eagle, and Speer God Dot.

Thanks

Vinnie
 
You didn't mention security, but that's important too. :)

I've known several people who use old broken refrigerators. Bolt a hasp or wrap a chain around it and rig it for a light bulb (keeps the inside dry). Use a padlock to secure it and there you are! Old refridgerators should be free for the hauling too. :D
 
Best Way to Sore Ammo?
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Pushing it through a barrel at high speed will probably make it sore. :p

Ammo cans in cool dry place is best. Add desiccant if needed. I have mine in the garage, but might move it to the basement and place the cans in a flammables cabinet.
 
I'd say humidity is your worst enemy. I have had ammo stored for decades and it's all fired off just fine, but I always store mine in a cool, dry place (I use plastic air-tight storage containers with dessicant tins in the middle of each).
 
I live in Florida and as was noted its the humidity that will cause problems. A cool dry place is needed for sure along with a humidity collector such as the rechargable one Remington sells or the tubs available from Wallmart which they stock next to the moth balls.
 
I would not really want to sleep on a heap of ammo, but get GI steel ammo cans of any cal. you like that fits, 30 or 50 cal's or even larger. But make sure they are clean inside and the rubber seals are good and intact on the lids. The 30's are pretty compact and will fit under your bed one way or another, if that is a suggestion you would take seriously. It might get hot in the garage but not as bad as an attic. Basements might be better as they stay cooler unless they flood or something. Then you want the cans on a shelf or up out of the way. I don't suppose putting in dessicant can hurt but I have never done that, then again I don't live in Fla. Sometimes they sell these plastic cases with rubber seals that might work as well. Pelican cases, etc. The heavy thick plastic boxes might be just as good for you as long as the seals work as good as regular ammo cans. Then of course there are the vacuum seal bags for food. Those might be great but you still need a solid protective container like an ammo can, etc. Sometimes ammo comes in sealed cans that is surplus, then you just leave the can alone as is till needed. Assuming the can does not rust thru or have damage to break the hard seal.
 
Learning lots here



Semi-related ?

-What do you do w/ammo yo uhave determined has "gone bad"?


Years ago, dad & I decided to get into hunting - he bought the leather ammo holder thingys that your belt goes thru - went to parents' house & discovered the ammo still in teh leather holders - when I pull them out, they are all green where they have been in contact w/the leather



Didn't just want to toss them in the garbage as I thought that was not being courteous to the people who would then be going around w/a dozen .30-30 rds and almost as many .270 rds in the back of the truck:eek:
 
green shells? they're probably fine. you definitely CAN NOT toss them in the garbage. have you tried using them?
 
If you have ammo that you know or suspect is bad, call your local or state police. In the past I've done that and they had me drop it off and said they would dispose of it (I assume at the state police explosives range or some such place they have). I came across several hundred rounds of old .22 and 12ga while helping someone clean out an old farm house they had bought (the shells were from the 1950's and outright moldy). When I asked the local police, I was told to just drop it off at the nearest state police barracks, as they would ensure it was safely disposed off.
 
Tom2 said:
The 30's are pretty compact and will fit under your bed one way or another, if that is a suggestion you would take seriously.
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What's wrong with under the bed? You ever hear of ammo going off on its own? Personally, mine's in closets but there is nothing wrong with putting it under a bed or sofa or anywhere else inside a climate-controlled building. I imagine Florida is like Houston and there probably aren't too many basements.
 
I've had ammo under the bed for 20 or 30 years. Okay, I bought the house in 1980, so exactly 29 years. Right now there's a big Rubbermaid tub and large cardboard box both packed full.

I also keep ammo in the closets, under the dresser and also have some ammo cans, but in my experience they aren't necessary. Virginia is extremely humid most of the time, although today it's absolutely bone dry with 32%RH - I think I'm going to have a nosebleed. :)

My uncle keeps his ammo under the steps in the basement and I know some of it is at least 25 years old.

John
 
I fill up 30cal ammo cans and put them at the back of shelves in cabinets that are rarely opened by anyone in our house. I've got some stuff that's been in there for 5+ years because I don't shoot that caliber very much any more.

Store your primers the same way. Add some dry desicate packs and it should outlast several administations.
 
Ammo

I personally do't have that much ammo;). But if I did I would go with the 30cal cans with the silcone packs to keep the moisture down and I would bury them in the back yard so Obama can't find it.
 
Vacuum seal. do it inside with low humidity. I've done it with >1500 rounds so far, and it looks like it will work nearly forever.
 
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