Texas SOT

I need advice on long term storage of Ammo

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  • 98f150

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    Sep 20, 2008
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    I have been buying thounds of rounds of .223, 40s&w and I want to start to pack them up for long term storage and I don't know the best way to do this. I may be a nut but I am afraid of whats going on in our country. I won't be happy until I have 15,000 rounds of 223 and 2,000 rounds of 40 S&W and 1500 rounds of 9mm
     

    robocop10mm

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    Jan 9, 2009
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    Military surplus ammo cans. Pack 'em in w/ a dessicant pack and leave them sealed for the next century and they will be fine. Try to store the cans in a fairly climate controlled area. A closet inside is good. The garage is less ideal. The attic is BAD, especially in Texas summer heat.

    I have ammo I loaded over 25 years ago that was stored in such a fashion. It shoots as good now as it did then. Military surplus ammo from the 40's is still in excellent condition.
     

    lonewolf23c

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    Oct 2, 2008
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    Buy some surplus military ammo cans, make sure before you buy them that the seals in the lids are good, and store your ammo in those, they're excellent for long term storage cause they have a weather tight seal.
     

    wayneside

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    Feb 14, 2009
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    Got a thousand rounds of 40 if you are interested...

    I was checking this thread out to see what others were recommending as I'm stocking up as well.
     

    country_boy

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    Feb 7, 2009
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    I know now where all the .223 is going

    Like robocop said make sure to put a dessicant pack in the ammo container.
    The first time I started to store ammo and about a month later
     

    BeNotAfraid

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    Jul 15, 2008
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    ...what they said..plus:

    don't store the military ammo cans on concrete; there's a big temperature differential between a can and concrete. It'll cause moisture to condense in the can.

    ALWAYS store your ammo cans up off the ground, like on 2x4, 2x6, etc.
     

    awmp

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    Jun 15, 2008
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    ...what they said..plus:

    don't store the military ammo cans on concrete; there's a big temperature differential between a can and concrete. It'll cause moisture to condense in the can.

    ALWAYS store your ammo cans up off the ground, like on 2x4, 2x6, etc.

    Very good advice, Clean, cool, and in a low humid enviroment.
     

    country_boy

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    well i would show what I got Barn but, we're talking about ideas for long term storage. I can show a picture, better ask Andy first though you know how he is about you keeping one bullet in your pocket.
     

    wshbrngr

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    Jul 16, 2008
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    Well, since everyone agreed that ammo cans are the best way, I figured there was not much more to be said on the topic of long term storage.
    As Country-Boy pointed out, my long term storage is my pocket.

    What kind of dessicant do you recommend?

    Desiccant is a nice idea and I use it in some of mine, but the army does not use any, so it's probably overkill.

    You can use pretty much any kind you can find that will fit in your cans.

    I bought a bunch for cheap a while back call 'Rust-Free'
    They are small pouches about 3" X 3" and seem to work well.

    I have heard of people using cat litter in a piece of panty-hose... but we really need to nip this sort of thing.
    Nip it in the Bud.

    *****NOTE: Desiccant only works if you are going to close it up and not keep opening the cans to look at/fondle your ammo. (This is really hard for some people).
     
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