AR Sponsor
Posted: 2/18/2013 2:23:31 PM EDT
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Here comes another stupid question..".. Please bare with me.
Made rookie mistake and bought 5.56 ammo on belts meant for machine guns I suppose. It came with military ammo cans. I'm stripping the rounds off the belts and just putting them back in the same ammo can. Will they be fine that way while stored in a walk out basement or should I take other measures? |
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They will be fine.
I am not sure how much better storage you can get than military ammo cans with good seals. If it was me, I would put them on stripper clips and pack them in the ammo cans in bandoleers. If I did not have stripper clips and bandoleers, I might put them into ziploc bags, maybe 100 per bag just for easy inventory and range use. But I am kind of OCD with my ammo. 
ETA: If your basement has a concrete floor, I would put something between the ammo cans and direct contact with the floor. |
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They will be fine. I am not sure how much better storage you can get than military ammo cans with good seals. If it was me, I would put them on stripper clips and pack them in the ammo cans in bandoleers. If I did not have stripper clips and bandoleers, I might put them into ziploc bags, maybe 100 per bag just for easy inventory and range use. But I am kind of OCD with my ammo.
ETA: If your basement has a concrete floor, I would put something between the ammo cans and direct contact with the floor. ******** Don't forget to put a packet or two of desiccant in with the ammo. |
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Desiccant does not hurt.....
as long as it is not wet and sitting there on your ammo. But If it was needed, I think the military would have their ammo packed with it from the factory and they do not. You can also vac-pac your rounds with a food saver, people here do it, but I think that is a little over the top as well.
YMMV |
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I've collected a decent number of AR mags over the years. I've never bothered with strippers. Normally I leave it in factory packaging or load it. Being that we're talking about a self-proclaimed "rookie" with a Jan 2013 join date, I doubt he has enough mags yet for his can of ammo. |
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I've collected a decent number of AR mags over the years. I've never bothered with strippers. Normally I leave it in factory packaging or load it. I have a decent number of AR mags as well, but I like to take ammo on strippers to the range for quick loading of the mags. The OP asked about storage of ammo that is not in boxes (delinked), so I suggested stripper clips because I don't really like storing my ammo loose in an ammo can. |
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Though I'm new to this, I LOVE those stripper clips! I wish I could find more ammo packed on clips. I've never been one to leave mags fully loaded in worry that I'll F up the spring. So far all I have is
the 2 lancer 30's the 2 Cproducts 30's 1 Bushmaster 10 ordered: 3 Troy Battlemag 30's 2 MWG 40 rounders (just for grins  )
THat should do it for me. |
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Though I'm new to this, I LOVE those stripper clips! I wish I could find more ammo packed on clips. I've never been one to leave mags fully loaded in worry that I'll F up the spring. So far all I have is the 2 lancer 30's the 2 Cproducts 30's 1 Bushmaster 10 ordered: 3 Troy Battlemag 30's 2 MWG 40 rounders (just for grins )
THat should do it for me. You need about another 100 mags and then you will be off to a good start
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Quoted: Though I'm new to this, I LOVE those stripper clips! I wish I could find more ammo packed on clips. I've never been one to leave mags fully loaded in worry that I'll F up the spring. So far all I have is the 2 lancer 30's the 2 Cproducts 30's 1 Bushmaster 10 ordered: 3 Troy Battlemag 30's 2 MWG 40 rounders (just for grins )THat should do it for me. If you use stripper clips get the Strip-LULA Here's a great way to store ammo on strippers  |
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Quoted: Though I'm new to this, I LOVE those stripper clips! I wish I could find more ammo packed on clips. I've never been one to leave mags fully loaded in worry that I'll F up the spring. So far all I have is the 2 lancer 30's the 2 Cproducts 30's 1 Bushmaster 10 ordered: 3 Troy Battlemag 30's 2 MWG 40 rounders (just for grins )THat should do it for me. I prefer my 200+ mags. |
The picture of that box all on clips makes me envious  . I've done a few online searches for stripper clips and came up with nothing except the NC Star steel clips that have terrible reviews. I did pick up 2 of the Lula speed loaders and all I can say is they are really nice. If someone has a lead on clips please let me know.
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The picture of that box all on clips makes me envious . I've done a few online searches for stripper clips and came up with nothing except the NC Star steel clips that have terrible reviews. I did pick up 2 of the Lula speed loaders and all I can say is they are really nice. If someone has a lead on clips please let me know.
Try the equipment exchange here. Check under magazines, there was a guy selling them yesterday. |
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I have purchased stripper clips from several places.
Oldsargesdropzone.com Is currently out of stock on clips, but they are the only place I have found that carries the cardboard inserts. Goldnuggetsurplus.com has them in stock. eBay currently has a 500 stripper clip lot for $35.00. This is a good buy. I have purchased from all of these places with no problem. Mike |
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Quoted: The picture of that box all on clips makes me envious . I've done a few online searches for stripper clips and came up with nothing except the NC Star steel clips that have terrible reviews. I did pick up 2 of the Lula speed loaders and all I can say is they are really nice. If someone has a lead on clips please let me know. I found multiple listings for stripper clips on EE http://www.ar15.com/forums/b/7_Equipment_Exchange.html |
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Whatever you use to store your bulk ammo in make sure you include the lot number on the label if you have it.
If you leave your ammo in the original boxes then you have the lot number. If there is a recall years down the road you will have the info you need to see if your ammo is part of the recall/warning, etc. I like to store ammo on stripper clips in 50 cal ammo cans. I line the cans with thin cardboard to help quiet and protect the rounds from the metal sides of the can. Keeps the inside of the cans looking like new also. Is the cardboard acid free? I haven't a clue. If you keep your ammo dry it shouldn't be a problem. You do keep your ammo dry, don't you? I've had bulk reloads on strippers in cans lined with cardboard since the late 70s. When I open them now the ammo is just like it was the day I put it in there. In the last 10-15 years I've put all my bulk .223/5.56 ammo on strippers and silencers, in bandoleers then in the 50 cal cans. No cardboard lining required for them. I wish I had enough bandoleers to do the same with my .308 stuff. Hope this gives the OP some options, along with all the good advice in this thread. |
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Another thought. Watch the size of the cans you use as the big ones, although they look cool full of ammo, they get so heavy one person can't lift them.
It may be important that your wife and or older kids be able to pack them around if need be. A 50 cal can full of .308 or 30-06 is very heavy. |
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^^^^ What kind of labels or label maker do you use on your ammo cans? I was wondering the same thing... I recently bought a few .50cal cans and just started "collecting" ammo, but I didn't want to just do tape and Sharpies (just looked cheap to me) and I move things around from time to time,. I found these Magnets on another forum that I think I'll get some ordered. http://shop.ammocanmagnets.com SW2 |
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^^^^ What kind of labels or label maker do you use on your ammo cans? I was wondering the same thing... I recently bought a few .50cal cans and just started "collecting" ammo, but I didn't want to just do tape and Sharpies (just looked cheap to me) and I move things around from time to time,. I found these Magnets on another forum that I think I'll get some ordered. http://shop.ammocanmagnets.com SW2 Most of my cans are labeled with computer-printed Avery 1X3 mailing labels. Then I got tired and lazy and used a sharpie on the last couple.
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A 50 cal can full of .308 or 30-06 is very heavy. Try 20mm cans 
Yeah! All my 20MM cans now have web gear, empty bandos, etc., in them. Although a friend has a few full 20MM cans of ammo and he moves them around with a hand truck. Each to his own. |
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I use .30 cans with dessicant packs. I leave the end flap of the box (with lot # and ammo type) on top of the ammo in the can.
.308 - 400 rounds stacked 5.56 - 600 rounds on strippers (I also put a GI charging spoon in each can) 7.62 x 54R - 400 rounds stacked 30-06 - 240 rounds on garand clips 8mm - 400 rounds stacked 7.62 x 39 - 700 rounds in boxes (russian sized) .22LR - 3500 rounds loose 9mm - 1200 loose .40 - 1000 loose Match ammo stays in boxes 100+ AR mags loaded with M193 or M855 in .50 cans (18 GI mags to a can) |
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Quoted: http://newriversalvagecompany.com/ Make sure you get a shipping quote from them before you buy. I tried to order a small amount of strippers and cardboards and he wanted a $5 service fee and $17 shipping when they are only a state away from me. I ended up finding some on Fleabay from an Army Surplus Store. I have included a dead link to the ad: http://www.ebay.com/itm/STRIPPER-CLIPS-150-AND-3-CHARGER-SPEED-LOADER-MILITARY-223-556-REPACK-RIFLE-/221192862816?_trksid=p2047675.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D13%26meid%3D5789052479095364708%26pid%3D100012%26prg%3D1014%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D221181762226%26 |
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I saw this at Lowes yesterday. Kobalt Rolling Tool Chest
I'm not just thinking storage, but also the ability to move my stuff fairly quickly should the need arise. This is a pretty big unit and seems pretty sturdy. I put two bags of cement in it to test it out and it was still surprisingly easy to maneuver given the weight. Eventually, I want to get every round on stripper clips, but for now I have have my 2,500 rounds in their original boxes along with another 2,000 rounds of 40 S&W. The downsides are: 1) Fully loaded with say 5 or 6K rounds, it may be very hard to move around 2) It's big... about 2ft wide and nearly 4ft long so I'd have to clear out one of the bigger closets in the house to keep it there. 3) My biggest concern is that if we ever do have a break in, I'd hate to make it convenient and make for the robber to easily wheel out my shit. I'm still thnking about dropping a couple hundred or so on a nice Pelican storage case with wheels. I may get two smaller ones rather than one bigger on like this. I guess I could always secure them inside the house with chain and eyelet bolted to the floor. A couple of these maybe: Pelican |
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why put them on stripper clips when you could load them in mags? Me personally? I cannot afford that many mags. Besides, mags are supposed to be for more than a 1-time use. Ammo cans work fine for storage. http://imageshack.us/a/img140/2770/ammocans.jpg Nice. I just use a sharpie and tape to label mine. I might have to make an upgrade one of these days. |
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