AR Sponsor
Posted: 9/18/2009 10:06:52 PM EDT
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Question.......
When you buy boxed ammo in quantity and use ammo cans, do you just stick the boxes in the can, or open and dump the ammo into the can? I'm not talking mixed ammo, but all the same (like 1000rds of LC XM193, etc.)? Personally, I like the looks of a box full of loose ammo instead of little cardboard boxes. I've got plenty of ammo cans, all with good seals, so the "room" isn't a problem. Is it stupid to open the little boxes and dump the ammo into the can, or is it better to maximize the space (and round count) in each can by ditching the boxes and filling the cans with loose ammo? Dull minds want to know. |
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I stack cardboard boxes. I prefer that method because it's easier to grab a MagLULA and 4-20 round mags and 4 boxes, or 4-30 round mags and 6 boxes. Handfuls are hardly ever calibrated to the same size 'grab'. That said, I store my mags full, and stacked in fat-50's. My 5.45 in russian paper 30-paks and 5.56 in cardboard in 50's. My 12 gauge slugs and 00 buck are loosepack in 50's but stacked on end, and my .22 loosepack @ 3300 rounds/30cal box. |
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Mine differs according to what it is and what packaging it comes in. For instance, my XM193 and Prvi comes in the small boxes that take up less room in an ammo can. OTOH, I had 1K of AE .223 that came in the huge boxes with the plastic dividers––I chunked those and stored it loose. Now I'm going back and putting it on strippers. I had a bunch of Guat that I dumped loose into a .50 can; I would just take the whole can with me to the range and shoot what I wanted.
As for handgun stuff, if I ever got enough of one kind to fill a .30 can, I'd probably unbox it and store it loose, too. No sense in babying plinking ammo. |
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Quoted: Mine differs according to what it is and what packaging it comes in. For instance, my XM193 and Prvi comes in the small boxes that take up less room in an ammo can. OTOH, I had 1K of AE .223 that came in the huge boxes with the plastic dividers––I chunked those and stored it loose. Now I'm going back and putting it on strippers. I had a bunch of Guat that I dumped loose into a .50 can; I would just take the whole can with me to the range and shoot what I wanted. As for handgun stuff, if I ever got enough of one kind to fill a .30 can, I'd probably unbox it and store it loose, too. No sense in babying plinking ammo. My handgun is a cap/ball Harpers Ferry. When I dump the ammo loose into a 50-box, I get black powder all over everything and all the caps get crushed in the bottom.  I've got to agree with you about the Prvi. And those plastic dividers. What a PITA. |
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Quoted:
Question....... When you buy boxed ammo in quantity and use ammo cans, do you just stick the boxes in the can, or open and dump the ammo into the can? I'm not talking mixed ammo, but all the same (like 1000rds of LC XM193, etc.)? Personally, I like the looks of a box full of loose ammo instead of little cardboard boxes. I've got plenty of ammo cans, all with good seals, so the "room" isn't a problem. Is it stupid to open the little boxes and dump the ammo into the can, or is it better to maximize the space (and round count) in each can by ditching the boxes and filling the cans with loose ammo? Dull minds want to know. I assume you're storing this for a "rainy day". If so, you'll be fine storing it boxed in ammo cans. You could add a pack of dessicant for insurance....keep it cool and dry and you'll be fine. |
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Quoted:
loose, in cans except for battle pacs of 556, they fit in a 50 can nicely http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e303/taylorwso/PICT2052.jpg What kind of materials is that shelving unit made of? That is a lot of weight. Looks like a good solution. |
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Plywood glued together, with oak trim-you know so it looks nice. Backing is the key with good rabbits and correct glue. If you know how to build it, it will hold. There are 7 3/4" pieces of plywood in that thing, about 400 lbs by itself. With all those full, I'm guessing 1700-2000lbs.
This is a follow up to my 2x10 shelving with 1/2" backing. It worked well but I wanted doors so that you wouldn't see it from the street. It now has become overflow ammo storage and also holds ammo cans with primers/brass. I will have to build another one, soon. 
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Nothing wrong with dumping it loose in an ammo can if you KNOW you will be the person to actually use that ammo.
Otherwise, my reaction when I see a can of loose ammo is: WARNING!... WARNING!!!... The military stores their ammo in boxes, inside ammo cans. I'm pretty sure the US Army has figured out what system best meets basic requirements for ammo storage. |
| I keep mine stored in MTM ammo cans. They seal nice, and can be stacked if needed. Sportsmans guide sells them 2 for like $23. Throw in a reusable desiccant pack and I should be gtg. Each MTM can holds about 1000 rds of 5.56 or 7.62 x 39 nicely. I try to keep the rounds from touching each others, so I leave them in the 20rd boxes. |
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Quoted:
Question....... Is it stupid to open the little boxes and dump the ammo into the can ? I think it is, because ammo in boxes is like money in the bank if you ever need to raise some cash. Loose ammo will raise questions such as is it reloads, seconds, etc...
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Maybe I am anal, but WTF, I store all of my 223 rounds in stripper clips in cardboards and in bandoliers,which are packed in 556 or 50 cal ammo cans they are both the same size, all are marked for the proper cal and number of rounds. Each bandolier has a spoon for loading mags. I don't like to store any ammo other than one mag in mags. The one loaded mag is rotated on a weekly basis. I also keep repair parts for mags in an ammo bax. I think keeping loaded mags is asking for a disaster sooner or later the springs are going to break down. As far as my 45 ACP rounds they are all stored in boxes and in Ammo cans, same for 243 winchester and 30-30 winchester rounds.
I love the cabinet shown here by taylor and plan on building a couple. I shoot more than one AR and keep an average of 4,000 rounds loaded on hand and componets for an average of another 2-3000 rounds on hand. I find it cheaper to by primers in lots of 5,000 due to the hazmat cost for shipping, this depends on rather they come from a vendor at a gun show or store or mail order (NET). ANGMSG |
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Thanks, guys. I just bought another 2k of Federal XM193 in 200rd Value Packs (black box) which are packed in individual 20rd boxes. I'll just stick the 20rd boxes in the ammo cans. It's all SHTF stock anyway, and I check all my ammo cans for sealing (submerge and look for bubbles), then coat the gaskets with a light coat of vaseine so humidity isn't a problem.
I generally keep the rifle and SG ammo in their boxes anyway. The only stuff that I buy that doesn't usually come in boxes (from my Fun Shop) is loose-pack LC XM855. I guess they split it up because of the price. With the ammo cans, I scuff 'em up, paint 'em with Krylon camo paint and stencil them with the contents, so nothing's mixed together. I keep all my AR mags (mostly P-Mags) loaded and in ammo cans too. I even bought a few of the BIG cans for NV equipment and put my Saiga-12, 12-round mags in them. BTW, is there a site sponsor who sells the desiccant packs good for ammo cans? I'd like to throw a couple in the cans before they're put away for the "rainy day". |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Question....... Is it stupid to open the little boxes and dump the ammo into the can ? I think it is, because ammo in boxes is like money in the bank if you ever need to raise some cash. Loose ammo will raise questions such as is it reloads, seconds, etc... Bill, I think you did bring up a good point. That's why I'm glad most .223 sold today comes in the small Wolf-sized boxes that stack tightly in a can without a bunch of empty space between cartridges. I especially like the small boxes Prvi 193 and 855 comes in. |
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I store .223, 9mm, and 12ga in the factory cardboard boxes. All of my .22 ammo is loose in a .30 caliber ammo can. I can't find any of the Federal 550 bricks around here these days otherwise I'd buy a couple thousand more worth and leave them in the cardboard. The .22 ammo is a mixed bag, mostly Remington and Federal stuff mixed with a little bit of Winchester.
After a few trips of lugging that .30 caliber can around with me whenever I wanted to shoot my .22 I decided I'd leave the next batch I bought in the boxes so I could decide how much I took with me at one time. I'm thinking about getting a few more cans and spraying whatever one is holding a certain caliber a certain color. For example: TAN - .223/5.56 GREEN - 9mm BLACK - 12ga BROWN - .22LR |
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I think what it all comes down to is what ever works for you. I do belive in trying to keep factory loads with some type of information about the loads, it would help in case of a recall. Reloads are another thing all together. I have made a word file that I can print onto lables and stick onto ziploc bags. right now I am working on it on my old windows 95 lap top and then I am going to try and export the file via floppy to my Vista desk top and print it on sticky addresss lables. I want to put all of the load data on the labels and stick them on zip lock bags that contain the loads either in stripper clips or bandoliers. I usally hand write this info on an 3x5 index card and put it in the bags with new loads to take to the range for trial fires. The results then gets stored in a file box, but that is going to be replaced by an excell file, I should have done this a long time ago but I am just getting back into reloading after a break of almost 35 years or so.
ANGMSG |
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