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Posted: 12/27/2012 1:17:12 PM EDT
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I was just taking some inventory the other day and i have about 1K rounds at home... with about 15 topped off PMAGs additional. I have another 1K rounds coming. Most of the ammo I have now is those 100 count bulk packs from Walmart. I'm not 100% sure how the other 1K is coming. I'd like to consolidate and store the ammo in a good solution. I'd like to get a storage case that's easily transportable and expandable with additonal units.
i thought about ammo cans which seem fine, but I"m not opposed to a more "higher tech" solution (other dry boxes, Pelican cases, etc). Also, does the ammo have to be secured inside the box via clips or boxes or can it lie loose? |
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I just inventoried mine. All are in ammo cans. Some cans have ammo freely piled in them, some are in boxes, etc. Some of these have been unopened for almost 10 years and the ammo within still looks brand new.
I would store in ammo cans and forget about the rest. Just make sure that the can's seals are good. Hell, I've got South African .308 battle packs that are decades old and I know weren't even remotely stored in climate controlled environment and they look and shoot just fine. Basically, don't store your ammo in a humid salty environment and all will be OK. |
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Is the important thing that it has to have a sealed closure? I use this rolling box as my gun parts/cleaning organizer:
Mobile Storage I was just thinking another one of these may be ideal. What say you? |
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IMHO,For long term storage ( Years)....
Put it in .30 cal ammo cans ( light enough to easily carry ) , loose or on stripper clips or in USGI bandoliers, ( I perfer not to use the OEM boxes since I really don't know the make of the cardboard ( acid free, etc... ).... But will place one on top of the ammo in the can with the date bought and price paid per 20.( Just in case there is a recall on that specific ammo ) I will throw a few desicant packs in and label the can as to contents... i.e. 1k 5.56 AE 55gr 12/12. Store the cans off of the concrete floor... on wood or whatever , as long as it isn't in contact with the concrete. If it is steel cased ammo then I will put some VCI packs in also. While this may seem excessive to some, that is what makes me feel comfortable about any ammo that I would store for long term. At that point I have done all I can to keep it "good". For short term / range day ammo ( Less than about 12 months ) Put it in .30 cal ammo cans in the original boxes, along with a few freezer style ziplock bags. The bags will hold your fired brass. |
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I use the steel surplus ammo cans for LONG term storage ( 10 years + ), what I do is inject nitrogen into the bottom of the ammo can via a PVC hose, I let the nitrogen run for about 1 min with the lid almost closed, I quickly remove the hose and close the lid tight.
I feel removing the oxygen and moisture will help keep the natural process of corrosion to a min. without effecting the condition of the ammo. about 1 time every 5 years I break the seal and inspect the ammo, if it starts looking funny, I move this lot to the shoot pile and replace with newer ammo and I re inject with nitrogen I also keep the date of the ammo manufacture and the date it was purchased and packed on the outside of the ammo can. I do not claim this is the best way, but it works for me, I live in AZ, we typically run about 5% humidity year round. Hope this helps, in the future ammo might be what we use for currency. Rick |
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Quoted: Rubbermaid Action Packer.  heres what the op wanted Quoted: I'd like to get a storage case that's easily transportable and expandable with additonal units. Try moving a action packer with ammo OP get some ammo cans, they are designed EXACTLY for what you want. It's not a coincidence they are the size/shape that they are. Some of you are making it too hard |
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Quoted: I use the steel surplus ammo cans for LONG term storage ( 10 years + ), what I do is inject nitrogen into the bottom of the ammo can via a PVC hose, I let the nitrogen run for about 1 min with the lid almost closed, I quickly remove the hose and close the lid tight. snip holy OCD. You could just through it in a decent can and be fine, I'm mean I could be wrong and all with the billions of rounds stored like this since the 40s but I bet I'm not. |
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I'm looking for something other than an ammo can... Something more discreet...more transportable. I'm thinking about a Storm case like this..
case Can you buy the small cardboard boxes to store the loose ammo or is there some better way. I you got any ideas for that aspect I'd appreciate it. Just looking for alternatives. |
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Quoted:
I'm looking for something other than an ammo can... Something more discreet...more transportable. I'm thinking about a Storm case like this.. case Can you buy the small cardboard boxes to store the loose ammo or is there some better way. I you got any ideas for that aspect I'd appreciate it. Just looking for alternatives. The Pelican 1150 is very similar to those cases, but half the price or less. Here is a recent thread I started with some detailed pics of how both stripper clips and mags can be stored in them. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_16/595861_Pelican_1150_Mags_and_Stripper_Box_Storage_Options__PICS_.html |
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Quoted: If you store your ammo in Nitrogen will the powder still burn in the future? If the nitrogen seeps into the cases over the years and replaces the oxygen in the cases....will the powder still ignite?  the free 02 in the case does not matter, the powder contains the oxidizer |
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I'm looking for something other than an ammo can... Something more discreet...more transportable. I'm thinking about a Storm case like this.. case Can you buy the small cardboard boxes to store the loose ammo or is there some better way. I you got any ideas for that aspect I'd appreciate it. Just looking for alternatives. The Pelican 1150 is very similar to those cases, but half the price or less. Here is a recent thread I started with some detailed pics of how both stripper clips and mags can be stored in them. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_16/595861_Pelican_1150_Mags_and_Stripper_Box_Storage_Options__PICS_.html I think I'd use mine to store loose ammo. Do you think I'd just have to put all my ammo on stripper clips...or is there some other solution? I think one size up or two would be perfect. I'd like to be able to store 750-1000 rounds. |
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I'm looking for something other than an ammo can... Something more discreet...more transportable. I'm thinking about a Storm case like this.. case Can you buy the small cardboard boxes to store the loose ammo or is there some better way. I you got any ideas for that aspect I'd appreciate it. Just looking for alternatives. The Pelican 1150 is very similar to those cases, but half the price or less. Here is a recent thread I started with some detailed pics of how both stripper clips and mags can be stored in them. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_16/595861_Pelican_1150_Mags_and_Stripper_Box_Storage_Options__PICS_.html I think I'd use mine to store loose ammo. Do you think I'd just have to put all my ammo on stripper clips...or is there some other solution? I think one size up or two would be perfect. I'd like to be able to store 750-1000 rounds. But you can buy MORE ammo for what these cases would cost... I say get the best thirty-cal size ammo cans available, wire-brush the rust if any and hit 'em with a shot of spray paint. Q-tip some armor-all on the rubber seals. Good to go. And mix each can with some of each caliber you use; if you lose some cans in a bug-out, etc, then each gun will still be available. I was thinking "What if the one can I lose is the one with ALL of my .45 in it..." 
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If you store your ammo in Nitrogen will the powder still burn in the future? If the nitrogen seeps into the cases over the years and replaces the oxygen in the cases....will the powder still ignite? the free 02 in the case does not matter, the powder contains the oxidizer My chemistry professor had no love for me either..... 
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I love this thread.
It makes me realize I'm not as whacked  as I thought I was.
I'm writing this with the qualifications of of a genuine no shit sherlock Ammo Whore, with over 300k rds of mostly 5.56, then 7.62x51, M2 ball and AP as well as plenty of M1 carbine not to mention a smattering of (15,000rds give or take) of 7.62x39. The total dosen't include rimfire, shotgun or pistola ammo. This pain in my back started over 40 years ago, I'm now a very young (but slightly bent over) 62. I'm also getting ready to move for the last time in this lifetime. My next move after this one will be to a cemetary or incenerator, probably the latter, because I really don't give a fuck after I'm dead. My wife and I just bought a farm, I'll finally gonna be able to step out the back door and shoot to my hear'ts content. Gotta say I'm with Taylor all the way on this one. Take a wild guess how much the government has spent over the years designing and redesigning the ammo can. I've got no doubt it's way up there. Why fuck with something that works...and works very well? Unless you've just got waaay too much money on your hands and feel a need to drop it on pelican cases designed to protect expensive cameras, computers and the like. So if you guys who have no qualms about dropping $60-80 EACH for something that will definately keep your powder dry, as opposed to spending $10 on an ammo can designed to do the exact same thing, only mo betta.... by all means, go for it! Perhaps I could also interest you in some really nice shiny M855 or M193 for $6 a round. That equates to about the same percentage of $ you're wasting on containers. Ahhh, I feel so much mo betta now! 
PS: Z & Eric, my apologies I know this is a technical forum but I just couldn't help myself Happy New Year my fellow Arfcommers!!! Lappy |
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I'm looking for something other than an ammo can... Something more discreet...more transportable. I'm thinking about a Storm case like this.. case Can you buy the small cardboard boxes to store the loose ammo or is there some better way. I you got any ideas for that aspect I'd appreciate it. Just looking for alternatives. The Pelican 1150 is very similar to those cases, but half the price or less. Here is a recent thread I started with some detailed pics of how both stripper clips and mags can be stored in them. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_16/595861_Pelican_1150_Mags_and_Stripper_Box_Storage_Options__PICS_.html I think I'd use mine to store loose ammo. Do you think I'd just have to put all my ammo on stripper clips...or is there some other solution? I think one size up or two would be perfect. I'd like to be able to store 750-1000 rounds. But you can buy MORE ammo for what these cases would cost... I say get the best thirty-cal size ammo cans available, wire-brush the rust if any and hit 'em with a shot of spray paint. Q-tip some armor-all on the rubber seals. Good to go. And mix each can with some of each caliber you use; if you lose some cans in a bug-out, etc, then each gun will still be available. I was thinking "What if the one can I lose is the one with ALL of my .45 in it..."
The point of the Pelican case post I made was not to store all of your ammo. It was to store ammo that you might regularly carry around in places where an ammo can would be unwieldy or innapropriate. I wouldn't take metal ammo can onto my boat where it will scratch the fiberglass to crap and gather rust over a short period of time. Similarly if I was going to keep some in my car, I would use a non-descript case rather than an ammo can as the latter would probably freak out my coworkers when we went out for lunch. For storage in the home, I agree that the fancy cases aren't worth the cost and ammo cans are ideal. |
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Easy.. simple.. and been stated above.
Go on ebay or where ever.. by "dri packs" or similar... little dessicant packs that come in sealed bags (so they are good from the start)... Fill 30 cal or 50 cal ammo can with your ammo.. make sure its got a decent seal... drop in a few dessicant packs.... and your ammo will be GTG for decades. |
| Walmart Rubbermaid storage boxes in sealed ammo cans with a few desiccant packs thrown in the bottom. Never had an issue with long term storage. Got around 5k 5.56/.223 up in my attic storage area. I pop them open every so often and change out the desiccant pouches. |
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Quoted: how do you get rubbermaid boxes in ammo cans?Walmart Rubbermaid storage boxes in sealed ammo cans with a few desiccant packs thrown in the bottom. Never had an issue with long term storage. Got around 5k 5.56/.223 up in my attic storage area. I pop them open every so often and change out the desiccant pouches. just imagine how long it would store w/o the desiccant or opening them |
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A single large storage tote $5 at Walmart. It will hold about 8 to 10 30cal ammo cans. I put the pouches in the bottom of the tote box. They are pretty well sealed in the tote box. I just throw the desiccant in for extra layer of protection.
Sorry wasn't real clear now that I read my op. 
Here's one getting ready to go into the attic 
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| Okay we'll let's assume I have more money than sense and will be buying a few of the medium pelican cases. What is the best way to store the rounds? Can you buy the little boxes to hold the rounds? Do I need to put them on stripper clips? I don't want to have the rounds just loose in the case. |
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Okay we'll let's assume I have more money than sense and will be buying a few of the medium pelican cases. What is the best way to store the rounds? Can you buy the little boxes to hold the rounds? Do I need to put them on stripper clips? I don't want to have the rounds just loose in the case. The little cardboard boxes are called stripper clip silencers. Search on ebay for some reasonable deals, others may have some better links if buying in a lot of bulk. I find a lot of gun show booths actually have decent prices on stripper clips in 50 or 100 count bags. The upside of buying at the gun show if you know what price you want is that you can inspect them to see if they are decent. |
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Quoted:
Is the important thing that it has to have a sealed closure? I use this rolling box as my gun parts/cleaning organizer: Mobile Storage I was just thinking another one of these may be ideal. What say you? Love these.  I use one for my shooting and another for my tools when I track my motorcycle.
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Quoted:
I was just taking some inventory the other day and i have about 1K rounds at home... with about 15 topped off PMAGs additional. I have another 1K rounds coming. Most of the ammo I have now is those 100 count bulk packs from Walmart. I'm not 100% sure how the other 1K is coming. I'd like to consolidate and store the ammo in a good solution. I'd like to get a storage case that's easily transportable and expandable with additonal units. i thought about ammo cans which seem fine, but I"m not opposed to a more "higher tech" solution (other dry boxes, Pelican cases, etc). Also, does the ammo have to be secured inside the box via clips or boxes or can it lie loose? Get a bunch of 10 round stripper clips, load them 600 to a 30 cal can and throw in a spoon and a dessicant pack. Takes up less room than stored in boxes, it is ready to load into magazines quickly when needed, it will stay fresh for a very long time. |
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Quoted:
A single large storage tote $5 at Walmart. It will hold about 8 to 10 30cal ammo cans. I put the pouches in the bottom of the tote box. They are pretty well sealed in the tote box. I just throw the desiccant in for extra layer of protection. Sorry wasn't real clear now that I read my op.
Here's one getting ready to go into the attic http://img.techpowerup.org/130101/image.jpg How do you lift that thing? I leave mine in the ammo cans and stack them. I dont see any added benefit to put them in these totes?
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A single large storage tote $5 at Walmart. It will hold about 8 to 10 30cal ammo cans. I put the pouches in the bottom of the tote box. They are pretty well sealed in the tote box. I just throw the desiccant in for extra layer of protection. Sorry wasn't real clear now that I read my op.
Here's one getting ready to go into the attic http://img.techpowerup.org/130101/image.jpg How do you lift that thing? I leave mine in the ammo cans and stack them. I dont see any added benefit to put them in these totes?Leaky roof in the attic?? |
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If you store your ammo in Nitrogen will the powder still burn in the future? If the nitrogen seeps into the cases over the years and replaces the oxygen in the cases....will the powder still ignite? Our atmosphere is mostly nitrogen. Also, ammo is not gas tight. Once in a normal oxygen environment, chemical equilibrium would bring the internal concentration of gas inside the ammo to the external concentration of gases. |
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