Ammo Stash Storage.

[Podmonkey]

Lately I have been dumping my range ammo out of the boxes and into my ammo cans loose. Its faster and easier to deal with this way at the range and I don't have all the empty boxes to deal with.
I'm thinking of storing my long term SHTF ready stash like this too. Are there any downsides to keeping ammo in a sealed can loose in bulk like this long term? Is it much more susceptible to damage?

 

[E the massive]

I do it. Make sure the gaskets are in good shape. I would think cardboard attracts moisture.

 

[E the massive]

And don't touch the ammo with bare hands if it is going to sit around.

 

[Podmonkey]

And don't touch the ammo with bare hands if it is going to sit around.

Oooh, bug I can't help but fondle my precious ammo!

Actually the ammo I have that I consider my SHTF stash I haven't so much as even touched the cases since I stacked them away.

 

[GOYABEAN]

I do it. Make sure the gaskets are in good shape. I would think cardboard attracts moisture.

Do you put any products that absorb moisture along with ammo

 

[dsdmmat]

Lately I have been dumping my range ammo out of the boxes and into my ammo cans loose. Its faster and easier to deal with this way at the range and I don't have all the empty boxes to deal with.
I'm thinking of storing my long term SHTF ready stash like this too. Are there any downsides to keeping ammo in a sealed can loose in bulk like this long term? Is it much more susceptible to damage?

make sure the metal cans are painted inside, brass will corrode if it is in contact with bare steel. I like to put a plastic barrier between the steel and ammo a sturdy plastic bag like a gallon ziplock freezer bag will keep the bullets from punching holes through the side of the bag and contacting the steel.

 

[ProgSpear]

Ammo fondled/non-fondled? Meh! I can pretty much guarantee that I will be dysfunctional long before my ammo is, regardless of who touched it and how.

 

[Podmonkey]

Do you put any products that absorb moisture along with ammo

No. I'm given to understand that all such does is concentrate the ambient moisture into the can itself. I would just follow @E the massive's advice in ensuring the integrity of the gasket.

 

[Podmonkey]

make sure the metal cans are painted inside, brass will corrode if it is in contact with bare steel. I like to put a plastic barrier between the steel and ammo a sturdy plastic bag like a gallon ziplock freezer bag will keep the bullets from punching holes through the side of the bag and contacting the steel.

Yes, I would be using the heavy plastic bags that the Hornady 55hp match comes packed in. That fits the 30 cal cans nicely. Have a source for clear, heavy duty bags that would fit a 50 cal can?

 

[dsdmmat]

Yes, I would be using the heavy plastic bags that the Hornady 55hp match comes packed in. That fits the 30 cal cans nicely. Have a source for clear, heavy duty bags that would fit a 50 cal can?

2 Gallon Ziplocks

 

[Podmonkey]

2 Gallon Ziplocks

That would hold about 1200 rounds of 5.56 or about 600 rounds of .308? That seems what about fits loose in the .50 cans.

 

[E the massive]

Do you put any products that absorb moisture along with ammo

No. @ProgSpear has a valid point. But I still don't touch it.

 

[kev74]

Ammo cans are too small. Get a couple of these.

F/S - Free - 2 File Cabinets

 

[BDinPutnam]

Ammo cans are too small. Get a couple of these.

F/S - Free - 2 File Cabinets

Most of my ammo is in the basement about six feet away from a dehumidifier.

 

[Mosinitis]

There is no reason to take it out of the boxes it came in.

 

[Podmonkey]

There is no reason to take it out of the boxes it came in.

Yeah there is:
A- You can fit more ammo into a smaller space when its loose in a can
B- When you go to use the ammo you skip the unboxing step; Reloading magazines is faster this way
C- Related to point B, you won't have tons of little empty boxes to deal with.

My question is what is the potential for significant damage to loose packed ammo vs boxed and is it enough to offest the above advantages?

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Pack it loose or not. Just make sure you do what you can to keep moisture out and if you are storing loose, don't mix ammo brands and make sure you keep track of lot numbers in case you end up using it in a non-apocalyptical situation and you get a squib or other defect that potentially destroys your gun or health.

 

[Mosinitis]

Yeah there is:
A- You can fit more ammo into a smaller space when its loose in a can
B- When you go to use the ammo you skip the unboxing step; Reloading magazines is faster this way
C- Related to point B, you won't have tons of little empty boxes to deal with.

My question is what is the potential for significant damage to loose packed ammo vs boxed and is it enough to offest the above advantages?

You can unbox it any time between storage and range trip. It's well packed and labeled, good for storage. Just to save some space, you are going to do something you are not comfortable doing or why would you ask. Sorry, I live on a different planet.

 

[Acer-m14]

get real cans ..

 

[Cooolone]

Is simple...

Buy those "do not eat" dessicant packs, they're cheap and reusable. I got a shit load of 5g & 10g packs. I put one or two in the ammo boxes and cans too. Especially if I purchase loose ammo, like Georgia Arms cans of heat, lol. I also put them in the bigger plastic storage boxes which have my ammo. Get the ones you can reset by drying in the over once a year. Works great. If you're really worried, they have small humidity level checkers too, to be safe.

 

[Podmonkey]

Is simple...

Buy those "do not eat" dessicant packs, they're cheap and reusable. I got a shit load of 5g & 10g packs. I put one or two in the ammo boxes and cans too. Especially if I purchase loose ammo, like Georgia Arms cans of heat, lol. I also put them in the bigger plastic storage boxes which have my ammo. Get the ones you can reset by drying in the over once a year. Works great. If you're really worried, they have small humidity level checkers too, to be safe.

That Georgia Arms stuff good ammo?

 

[knuts]

Ammo cans are too small. Get a couple of these.

F/S - Free - 2 File Cabinets

well played

 

[@thewheels]

It'll be fine loose in heavy ziploc bags in the ammo cans. I did bags of 100 or 200 and sorted by brand so I knew exactly how much and what I was taking out for any trip.
I also added a couple of desiccant packs to every can. And you're right, Any ammo can will hold more loose ammo than packaged ammo. If you're like me, storage space is at a premium. I've just about run out of space for the stash so whatever I can do to minimize wasted storage space is top priority.

 

[Cooolone]

That Georgia Arms stuff good ammo?

Actually is, theyuse Speer stuff, iirc, although they aren't so cheap as they once were. When safe-act came to be, they stopped shipping direct and require an FFl. My guy does it cheap, but still...

I might get some heat from them again though, price depending if course it's hard to beat those folks in CT that ship free & direct.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

As far as space goes. If you're talking about those big bulky boxes with styrofoam like pistol ammo usually comes in then yeah you won't be able to fit nearly as much as you would if it was loose. But if you're talking about the thin flimsy boxes like wolf with only those thin pieces of paper separating the stacking then you can fit just as much if not more depending on how cleverly you arrange the boxes. Remember throwing them in loose they stack horribly. In boxes they stack very neatly so you're almost definitely going to be able to fit more. Any tiny amounts of space that are left on the sides or top can have loose ammo put in them.

 

[Phauxtoe]

big freezer ziplock or heavy duty Vacuum sealed bags with descant inside.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044XDA3...-3qvzaag1g&slotNum=2&tag=vs-sousvideguy-us-20

 

[livingston]

Ammo Storage: How To Avoid Common Amateur Mistakes

 

[Podmonkey]

As far as space goes. If you're talking about those big bulky boxes with styrofoam like pistol ammo usually comes in then yeah you won't be able to fit nearly as much as you would if it was loose. But if you're talking about the thin flimsy boxes like wolf with only those thin pieces of paper separating the stacking then you can fit just as much if not more depending on how cleverly you arrange the boxes. Remember throwing them in loose they stack horribly. In boxes they stack very neatly so you're almost definitely going to be able to fit more. Any tiny amounts of space that are left on the sides or top can have loose ammo put in them.

My primary 5.56 stash ammo come in 20 round boxes packed in a bulky plastic holder. Secondary 5.56 ammo stash does come in more compact 20 round boxes sans plastic holder.
Remember the biggest reason I'm looking at storing ammo loose in cans is for the convenience and speed when it comes time to crack the can. Also I'm fairly certain I can't fit 1200 rounds of boxed 5.56 in a .50 can but loose they will fit. This is somewhat moot though since My preferred stash ammos comes in 500 round cases.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

My primary 5.56 stash ammo come in 20 round boxes packed in a bulky plastic holder. Secondary 5.56 ammo stash does come in more compact 20 round boxes sans plastic holder.
Remember the biggest reason I'm looking at storing ammo loose in cans is for the convenience and speed when it comes time to crack the can. Also I'm fairly certain I can't fit 1200 rounds of boxed 5.56 in a .50 can but loose they will fit. This is somewhat moot though since My preferred stash ammos comes in 500 round cases.

So your main concern is convenient access. Fair enough. But I'll leave you with this. If you could fit more in say one of those 20 round boxes why doesn't the manufacturer simply dump 20 rounds into one of those boxes? Surely that would be less expensive than needing a machine to neatly stack them. A fun test would be to take one of the 20 round boxes and try to dump 20 rounds in it loose and close the box. Will they fit?

 

[Podmonkey]

Ammo Storage: How To Avoid Common Amateur Mistakes

I keep my ammo stash in my climate controlled apt. Temperature change would not exceed a 40° spread. Its not typically very humid in the area so I think I'm good.

I think what I will do is vacuum seal bag loose quantities of ammo in cans. I'll buy some new .50 cans.