Storing bulk ammo?

[gregj]

Just started reloading, and last night finished loading about 500 rounds of 9mm. I now have a new problem, how to store all this ammo? Do you guys use ammo boxes, or what? And where do you get what you use?

I currently have a filing cabinet in the basement full of factory ammo, and my gun safe is also pretty full with ammo. Guess it's time to do some reorganizing.

[OakRidgeStars]

50 cal ammo cans work for me

They stack nicely in the bottom of the gun safe too

[gregj]

That's what I was figguring on. Or maybe 5 gal plastic buckets, but they dont stack in the safe. Where is a good place to pick up ammo cans in the nova area?

[Username]

craigslist

[gfost1]

Howdy, Greg,

Might not be such a good idea to store bulk ammo in a safe. Ammo should be stored in an enclosure that will not allow pressure to build up in the case of a fire, for example.

Peanut cans work well for bulk ammo, you can prolly get 200 rds of 9mm in a small one.

Regards,

George

[Vahunter]

I use the 50 round plastic boxes from Dillion. They are cheap enough.

[gregj]

All good ideas and suggestions, thanks. Right now I have them in the gallon zip bags, 250 rnds each, in plastic gallon buckets w/lids. Not a long term solution , but will work until I can find ammo boxes or the equivalent locally.

[zephyp]

SAAMI recommends a locked box or cabinet for ammo and a wooden box with 1" thick walls (if memory serves) for primers. Also recommends using the factory cartons for storage. I stack mine on a shelf in the lower level, but do also keep some in my safe.

[meadmkr]

I currently have a filing cabinet in the basement full of factory ammo, and my gun safe is also pretty full with ammo.

Used to store them in the gun safe but other things have replaced them Now bulk ammo is stored in ammo cans on the bottom shelf of my reloading bench for the extra weight they provide. Each can has several dessicant packs in it as a precaution.

Which reminds me I need to pick some more cans at the next gunshow unless somebody knows a cheap local source?

I store unprimed/processed/cleaned cases in the clear jugs for cat litter. With 2 cats in the household they are common enough and its another way of recycling/repurposing. The large opening makes it pretty easy to load/unload for most calibers and the handle makes it easy to grab.

Cheers
Chris

[gfost1]

All good ideas and suggestions, thanks. Right now I have them in the gallon zip bags, 250 rnds each, in plastic gallon buckets w/lids. Not a long term solution , but will work until I can find ammo boxes or the equivalent locally.

Howdy, Greg,

The plastic buckets sound like a good idea. Five-gallon paint or drywall-mud buckets(and lids) might provide a long-term solution.

Regards,

George

[KaosDad]

SEG sells ammo cans for $5 & $10. But call ahead as they are not a regularly stocked item.

[gunderwood]

Bulk I do ammo cans. Precision rifle goes in special containers or pouches.

Store it in a cool place. Ammo cans work well because the are air tight with good seals (long term storage). Put silica gel in the cans too.

[zephyp]

I have an excellent storage facility. Bring them over here and no worries. I'll let you have some anytime you want...

[gunderwood]

I have an excellent storage facility. Bring them over here and no worries. I'll let you have some anytime you want...

You should unload them for really long term storage...

[CowboyT]

+1 for ammo cans. They're available at pretty much every gun show I've ever seen.

[zephyp]

I have an excellent storage facility. Bring them over here and no worries. I'll let you have some anytime you want...

You should unload them for really long term storage...

Do you mean he should unload them to me for long term storage or shoot them to unload them...I can do either at no cost...

Seriously though, the real enemy of ammo is contaminants. The main one any of us will deal with is moisture. If you're concerned about the effects of that over a long period of time simply use one of those little machines that seals food for the freezer. Leave the ammo in the store bought containers and seal them up in the freezer bags. The machine sucks all the air out and residual mositure with it unless the boxes are damp. They'll keep for a long time that way.

Realistically for most of us simply storing ammo in the store bought carton works fine. Remember that if you "seal" them up in an ammo can or anything else you dont get rid of the moisture nor do you nessecarily keep out additional moisture from humidity or a damp environment...here in VA, especially in the summer there is alot of moisture in the air...hence using the machine that suck it out...

[gunderwood]

I was joking about shooting them.

Sealed ammo cans and silica gel are your friends for storing ammo.

[zephyp]

Joking - indeed, hence the laughin dude...silica gel is good for them ammo cans...sucks up the ambient moisture...

[jbb3]

Try Army surplus stores. I have found a store in Eden NC that always has ammo cans in stock.

[nickf829]

Back from the dead. Do you stack bulk ammo in the ammo cans in trays, or just throw them in loose? (Throw may be a bad word to use, how about "place" them in the cans)

Also, is there a standard for the amount of silica gel per .50 ammo can to keep moisture to a minimum?

How long will the silica gel keep the ammo dry in a sealed .50 can?