Ammo storage question
 

Just a quick question for the people that store ammo in the military surplus cans.

Is it alright to put the ammo in by itself or do you leave the ammo in the original boxes and then into the military cans. I wondering because I sure can fit more ammo into the cans without the boxes.

Any input would be great

Thanks

Freedom1

Re: Ammo storage question
 

i just leave mine in the boxes ,it would work both ways

Re: Ammo storage question
 

Not that it would happen, but boxes as in cardboard 'can' hold moisture leading to corrosion. If you happen to put in a slightly 'damp' box into your watertight ammo box then it'll corrode from the inside.

That said, there's less risk by discarding your boxes and just dump the ammo straight into the can.

Another method is to drop in a few silica packets to be on the 'safe' side.

:wink:

Re: Ammo storage question
 

Put the ammunition in MAGAZINES first, and put a small dessicant pouch in the can with them.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

Re: Ammo storage question
 

I use the reusable vented metal style desiccant bricks. About the size of a deck of cards with a window so you can see if the desiccant needs recharging. Each one is good for 3 cubic feet. Get one for each can you have and you can store whatever the hell you want in there. I keep my ammo boxed for easy counting and easy to grab a box or two for the range. I also keep a field can that has several calibers, mags, speedloaders etc. for just running to the range. When I get home restocking it is a cinch.
They cost a bit more but they are permanent and very effective.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

I must disagree. From my experience (depending on mag and brand) ammo stored long-term in mags causes weak springs and unreliable feed. Just bad idea IMHO.

But some factory pistol mags I have had in other weapons has been fine but I always remove and/or rotate out loaded mags.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

Has anyone vacuum sealed their ammo with a food saver? Was tinkering with the idea for battle packs.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

Aww crap, and I just started keeping all mags loaded about 5 months ago when somebody posted very compelling evidence that perma-loaded springs are fine but constantly cycled springs are what fail.

Which is it, people?

Re: Ammo storage question
 

Using the springs by loading and unloading will make them wear out. However, keeping constant pressure on them will make them "like" that position and not have as much strength to feed when you need it.

Rotating ammunition through magazines, I'd say every couple of months, is the best way.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

This is true about cycled springs but as was mentioned above by another poster the spring is weakened when perma-loaded.

I experimented with this in Iraq when I drew factory new mags from supply and tested them against magpul mags and HK mags. The Higher end HK andf Magpuls lasted full duration without fail when ammo cycled out every couple months. New issue mags failed in weeks and even days in some cases.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

I had not heard this. Perhaps I will try and report back later.

I have some .223 in sealed bags from a gun-show in 2006 that have no corrosion and are in good condition but they were never vacuum sealed.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

Store ammo in original boxes...What if you forget what they are? If you ever try to sell loose ammo people will be reluctant.

Dessicant is okay if you happen to live in wet climates...I live in the desert, so not necessary.

Vacuum sealing shouldn't hurt ammo...I tried it but the vacuum wouldn't hold.

Loaded mags are not an issue for me...I do it all the time with my "ready" guns.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

Dang. To be clear about this...brand new Glock magazines stored loaded better then unload/reload cycling every few months?

:dontknow:

Re: Ammo storage question
 

I put my most expensive ammo in food saver vacuum bags with extra air sucked out but not in a vacuum. If you vacuum them over time the air surrounding the powder will be sucked out so that when the bag is opened the cartridge will be in a partial vacuum internally. This will suck in air and moisture. It probably wouldn't make a difference but it would defeat the purpose of special care in the first place.

I put ammo in ammo cans also with the little brick dessicants. It is clear from opening them months later that some of the gaskets on the cans dont work. I'm thinking about using vaseline on the gasket to try to seal those cans better.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

As far as unseating because of the Vacuum I would say its possible. When I use the deprimer die on brass the primer pops out with a woosh from the air pressure.

This makes me think its possible because of the air tightness with the die.

I do not know but it would make sence.

E-A

Re: Ammo storage question
 

i havent had this issue....when you say it was clear from opening that some of the gaskets didnt work what specificly did you mean


i store ammo in ammo cabnets.....either in military ammo boxes or the original packing they came in.....i keep the air in the whole ammo locker dry i have never had issues but want to be safe, to many dollars here to just lose

i have recieved ammo from the factory sealed in plastic...but not under vacum

Re: Ammo storage question
 

I store mine in an ammo can with desicant, I leave it in the cardboard box.

I picked up 3 bags of desicant at the gun show about a month ago.

$10 for 3.5 lbs.

I split open the bags and fold some up inside a coffee filter and staple it together or put some in the toe of an old nylon stocking.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

A couple of issues with just dumping ammo from the box into cans for long term storage might be:

When / if there is ever a recall of a bad lot (it does happen). If all the ammo is from the same lot you could put the end of the box with the lot number in the can and be OK, if it is from numerous lots, you would then have an issue to deal with.

Ammo will not get beat up as much if you keep it in the manufacturers protective packaging.

It would be a lot easier to quantify and distribute if left in the original boxes.


On the other hand, it takes up a lot more space than if it was stored loose.

With desicant packs and cans with good seals stored in a moderate environment, your ammo should last longer than you will!

Re: Ammo storage question
 

wrong wrong wrong!!!

I am a mechanical engineer and I can tell you that storing a mag loaded will do no harm to the spring. If you don't believe me call one of the companies. The only way for a spring to deform under load would be material creep (that only happens at very high temperatures) or inelastic loading which the spring is designed to prevent. You should rotate the order in which rounds are loaded due to pressure on the top round's case by the feed lips.

How many of you who claim knowledge of spring design and material behavior are engineers? Not trying to toot my own horn here, I just can't stand when everybody is an expert and no one actually knows what they are talking about.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

Nevermind. I will save you the trouble of calling a company. read this if you still believe the old wives tale about spring set.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...27/ai_99130369

Straight from Beretta:

Re: Ammo storage question
 

In the 60's and 70's, no one loaded M16 magazines past 18 rounds if they needed to really make sure there would be no failures.

Re: Ammo storage question
 

+1

One one to satisfy an urge to be ready at a minutes notice without compromising your magazines spring over time is to load rifle rounds on stripper clips, and keep those in the bandoleers. To rapidly charge a mag, use the stripper clip speed loader on top of the mag, and push the shells into the mag. I have them for .223 & .308. I used to see them every time at the gun shows, not so much anymore, but they are out there.