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Posted: 9/28/2015 7:01:36 PM EDT
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I've been on a .357 kick as of late. I try to reload a few rounds each night and have been storing them in those little reloaders boxes that hold 50 rounds. Only now I'm out of them but I have an empty ammo can I'm not using so I've started just tossing the loose rounds I make in that. My concern is, they are mixed head stamps. What I do when I reload is separate out by head stamp; an example would be I reloaded about 100 rounds of Geco head stamped brass Sunday night. I tossed it in the can that already had about 140 rounds of PMC reloaded brass that was tossed on top of 80 rounds of reloaded PPU. Like I said I reload per case so that each different case is weighed empty.
So all the PPU was loaded at the same time same with the PMC and the Geco. All the charges are the same at 15 grains of H110, all have the same bullet (XTP) and all use the same primer (CCI SM MAG). Is it OK to just toss them all in the same ammo can or do I need to store them based on head stamp? What do you guys do? I figure it'll be cheaper and easier to store them in an ammo can than in the little boxes. I'll use the boxes for the range. Again, this is probably a stupid concern and question. |
| Personally, I used to very carefully prep my brass; and, then, I loaded it in the same way. For everything except brand new brass I never cared about the head stamps; (and I usually hit whatever I pointed the muzzle at). However, 50 round boxes? Argh! that sounds like a real pain. I used to buy all of my 100 count ammo boxes from Berry Manufacturing. Most of the boxes were red; but I did separate a few calibers into different colored boxes. Anytime you do a lot of shooting 50 round boxes just aren't going to, 'cut it' for anything other than hunting or special purpose rounds. |
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New Jersey really sucks for anything reloading related. Come to think of it it sucks for anything firearm related. I have to go out of state for primers because I've not found a place in Jersey that carries them; that's not to say there isn't but I haven't found a place. I've only found one place that carries powder. I've only ever found 50 round boxes in my travels around this hell hole. I keep saying I'm going to just order some 100 count boxes online but I always get side tracked buying gun parts or factory ammo. The boxes aren't necessarily high in the priority list. Especially when there's always an AR part or factory ammo I want.
I figured as much with storing the ammo but wanted make sure it wouldn't matter. Only reason I load per head stamp is because I've noticed a Remington case might weigh more than say a Geco so I tend to load all the ones that the same. Just seems easier in my mind. I'm still very new to reloading and am trying to do things as safely as possible. |
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Personally.... I'd keep them separate... you might find that one brand brass gives better accuracy. BTW, what bullet weight ? 158. I'm only punching paper and not doing competitions. I plan on only shooting based on head stamps. I don't mind mixing them to store but when I take them to the range I'll pull them out to take by the head stamp. |
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New Jersey really sucks for anything reloading related. Come to think of it it sucks for anything firearm related. I have to go out of state for primers because I've not found a place in Jersey that carries them; that's not to say there isn't but I haven't found a place. I've only found one place that carries powder. I've only ever found 50 round boxes in my travels around this hell hole. I keep saying I'm going to just order some 100 count boxes online but I always get side tracked buying gun parts or factory ammo. The boxes aren't necessarily high in the priority list. Especially when there's always an AR part or factory ammo I want. I figured as much with storing the ammo but wanted make sure it wouldn't matter. Only reason I load per head stamp is because I've noticed a Remington case might weigh more than say a Geco so I tend to load all the ones that the same. Just seems easier in my mind. I'm still very new to reloading and am trying to do things as safely as possible. Thanks for reminding me of, 'Why' we moved to Pennsylvania! After New Jersey came down hard on my, 'black rifles' and full capacity magazines I said good-bye to the guys at the local gun club; and we moved to PA. Today's New Jersey sucks! (The move was better for our Pit Bulldogs, too!) 
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Thanks for reminding me of, 'Why' we moved to Pennsylvania! After New Jersey came down hard on my, 'black rifles' and full capacity magazines I said good-bye to the guys at the local gun club; and we moved to PA. Today's New Jersey sucks! (The move was better for our Pit Bulldogs, too!) Quoted:
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New Jersey really sucks for anything reloading related. Come to think of it it sucks for anything firearm related. I have to go out of state for primers because I've not found a place in Jersey that carries them; that's not to say there isn't but I haven't found a place. I've only found one place that carries powder. I've only ever found 50 round boxes in my travels around this hell hole. I keep saying I'm going to just order some 100 count boxes online but I always get side tracked buying gun parts or factory ammo. The boxes aren't necessarily high in the priority list. Especially when there's always an AR part or factory ammo I want. I figured as much with storing the ammo but wanted make sure it wouldn't matter. Only reason I load per head stamp is because I've noticed a Remington case might weigh more than say a Geco so I tend to load all the ones that the same. Just seems easier in my mind. I'm still very new to reloading and am trying to do things as safely as possible. Thanks for reminding me of, 'Why' we moved to Pennsylvania! After New Jersey came down hard on my, 'black rifles' and full capacity magazines I said good-bye to the guys at the local gun club; and we moved to PA. Today's New Jersey sucks! (The move was better for our Pit Bulldogs, too!) Yeah, I keep saying this but my wife and I are planning on moving out of this state in a few years. We're hoping to go south and buying property. |
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IMO that is too much thought for pistol rounds, especially plinking ones.
Just carefully put them in a ziplock, with the reloading data on them- then place them in an ammo can. Done. As a new reloader, I always wanted to keep everything in 50/100 batches, but it doesn't always work out that way. You'll accumulate a lot of brass as you move forward, so trying to keep the brass in nice little batches will turn into a total pain in the butt. Tracking times fired isn't worth it, you'll know when the pistol brass done- it will tell you. IMO, with pistol brass, headstamp doesn't matter too much. There are a few exceptions to that train of thought- but that's a discussion for another thread. |
I would just EE the mixed headstamp and buy something like Starline. Great brass and your OCD will thank you. Mine did. 
I went to one headstamp for easier/repeatable crimp on 357 due to case length. Some cheap plinking rounds like 9 and 45 just get what they get.. |
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Yeah, I keep saying this but my wife and I are planning on moving out of this state in a few years. We're hoping to go south and buying property. Quoted:
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New Jersey really sucks for anything reloading related. Come to think of it it sucks for anything firearm related. I have to go out of state for primers because I've not found a place in Jersey that carries them; that's not to say there isn't but I haven't found a place. I've only found one place that carries powder. I've only ever found 50 round boxes in my travels around this hell hole. I keep saying I'm going to just order some 100 count boxes online but I always get side tracked buying gun parts or factory ammo. The boxes aren't necessarily high in the priority list. Especially when there's always an AR part or factory ammo I want. I figured as much with storing the ammo but wanted make sure it wouldn't matter. Only reason I load per head stamp is because I've noticed a Remington case might weigh more than say a Geco so I tend to load all the ones that the same. Just seems easier in my mind. I'm still very new to reloading and am trying to do things as safely as possible. Thanks for reminding me of, 'Why' we moved to Pennsylvania! After New Jersey came down hard on my, 'black rifles' and full capacity magazines I said good-bye to the guys at the local gun club; and we moved to PA. Today's New Jersey sucks! (The move was better for our Pit Bulldogs, too!) Yeah, I keep saying this but my wife and I are planning on moving out of this state in a few years. We're hoping to go south and buying property. Don't bring liberalness with you. I have been using old peanut butter jars, the plastic ones. They hold about 100 rds of 38spl or 150 9mm. Water tight too. |
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New Jersey really sucks for anything reloading related. Come to think of it it sucks for anything firearm related. I have to go out of state for primers because I've not found a place in Jersey that carries them; that's not to say there isn't but I haven't found a place. I've only found one place that carries powder. I've only ever found 50 round boxes in my travels around this hell hole. I keep saying I'm going to just order some 100 count boxes online but I always get side tracked buying gun parts or factory ammo. The boxes aren't necessarily high in the priority list. Especially when there's always an AR part or factory ammo I want. I figured as much with storing the ammo but wanted make sure it wouldn't matter. Only reason I load per head stamp is because I've noticed a Remington case might weigh more than say a Geco so I tend to load all the ones that the same. Just seems easier in my mind. I'm still very new to reloading and am trying to do things as safely as possible. Plastic coffee "cans" work great. Durable, water resistant and readily available. At least in my house anyway. Sarco in Easton PA might be the closest reloading store. Depends on what end of the state you are in. NJ IS tough for anything firearm related. Interestingly enough, some of the Box stores there sell reloading tools, but no powder, primers or even bullets. |
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Don't bring liberalness with you. I have been using old peanut butter jars, the plastic ones. They hold about 100 rds of 38spl or 150 9mm. Water tight too. Quoted:
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New Jersey really sucks for anything reloading related. Come to think of it it sucks for anything firearm related. I have to go out of state for primers because I've not found a place in Jersey that carries them; that's not to say there isn't but I haven't found a place. I've only found one place that carries powder. I've only ever found 50 round boxes in my travels around this hell hole. I keep saying I'm going to just order some 100 count boxes online but I always get side tracked buying gun parts or factory ammo. The boxes aren't necessarily high in the priority list. Especially when there's always an AR part or factory ammo I want. I figured as much with storing the ammo but wanted make sure it wouldn't matter. Only reason I load per head stamp is because I've noticed a Remington case might weigh more than say a Geco so I tend to load all the ones that the same. Just seems easier in my mind. I'm still very new to reloading and am trying to do things as safely as possible. Thanks for reminding me of, 'Why' we moved to Pennsylvania! After New Jersey came down hard on my, 'black rifles' and full capacity magazines I said good-bye to the guys at the local gun club; and we moved to PA. Today's New Jersey sucks! (The move was better for our Pit Bulldogs, too!) Yeah, I keep saying this but my wife and I are planning on moving out of this state in a few years. We're hoping to go south and buying property. Don't bring liberalness with you. I have been using old peanut butter jars, the plastic ones. They hold about 100 rds of 38spl or 150 9mm. Water tight too. You don't have to worry about that. I tend to piss off liberals. |
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Plastic coffee "cans" work great. Durable, water resistant and readily available. At least in my house anyway. Sarco in Easton PA might be the closest reloading store. Depends on what end of the state you are in. NJ IS tough for anything firearm related. Interestingly enough, some of the Box stores there sell reloading tools, but no powder, primers or even bullets. Quoted:
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New Jersey really sucks for anything reloading related. Come to think of it it sucks for anything firearm related. I have to go out of state for primers because I've not found a place in Jersey that carries them; that's not to say there isn't but I haven't found a place. I've only found one place that carries powder. I've only ever found 50 round boxes in my travels around this hell hole. I keep saying I'm going to just order some 100 count boxes online but I always get side tracked buying gun parts or factory ammo. The boxes aren't necessarily high in the priority list. Especially when there's always an AR part or factory ammo I want. I figured as much with storing the ammo but wanted make sure it wouldn't matter. Only reason I load per head stamp is because I've noticed a Remington case might weigh more than say a Geco so I tend to load all the ones that the same. Just seems easier in my mind. I'm still very new to reloading and am trying to do things as safely as possible. Plastic coffee "cans" work great. Durable, water resistant and readily available. At least in my house anyway. Sarco in Easton PA might be the closest reloading store. Depends on what end of the state you are in. NJ IS tough for anything firearm related. Interestingly enough, some of the Box stores there sell reloading tools, but no powder, primers or even bullets. I too use those big plastic coffee cans. The wife and I drink a lot of coffee. They are currently full of .308, .223/5.56 and 6.8 cases. Those I don't reload.... Yet. Eaton Pa is about an hour give or take from me. I'm up in Sussex county so it's a few counties away. I've got Morris and Warren counties between me and the town of Easton. I'll have to see about going up to Sarco. The bags sound like a brilliant idea. It'll certainly make grabbing ago with the same head stamp easier when I go to the range. |
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Pistol rounds go in old hogdon 1lb black jars (except 357 that goes in an old vitamin jar with a wider mouth. I can get 150 .45's in a hogdon jar, 250 9mm's.
I am that OCD about some of my rifle rounds (the non-plinker loads), but everything else is fair game. I stopped bulk loading into 50 cal cans, they get too darn heavy.. 
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Headstamps don't really mean much to me for pistol rounds. Rifle on the other hand is a different matter. If I don't have boxes then they get this kind of storage.
For storing brass and being able to see the level of how much brass is in there I use these. Sterilite Boxes I usually find them at target. 
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 Small amounts of 50 or 100, I put in the plastic ammo boxes, but a large batch goes into a 30 cal ammo can if the load is all the same. Be sure to put a card noting your load in the box. I wrote down the powder charge after I took this pic, it's a max load for my Rugers. Hint, look in Speer 10. |
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Pistol rounds go in old hogdon 1lb black jars (except 357 that goes in an old vitamin jar with a wider mouth. I can get 150 .45's in a hogdon jar, 250 9mm's. I am that OCD about some of my rifle rounds (the non-plinker loads), but everything else is fair game. I stopped bulk loading into 50 cal cans, they get too darn heavy.. I put my plinking 223 rounds in Hodgdon 1lb's.. Never measured how many it takes. Enough to usually get me through for a bit before getting bored with 223. I did have some odd comments at the range though, "interesting ammo storage"... |
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Since you are in Sussex Co, Dunkleberger's in Stroudsburg is probably closer. Higher prices and less friendly IMO. Yeah well, NJ isn't known for being friendly either. 
I'll have to take a pic of the ammo can I'm using for my .357. I have stickers on the side of the can with the load information. |
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It should, perhaps, be mentioned that metal touching metal is not a good way to hold ammunition in longterm storage. Neither is it a good way to keep your reserves well organized; and, if I were ever anything, I was always a very well organized handloader. (I can honestly say that I never turned out a deliberate crappy round in my life! Didn't store any of, 'the fruits of my labor' that way, either.)
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It should, perhaps, be mentioned that metal touching metal is not a good way to hold ammunition in longterm storage. Neither is it a good way to keep your reserves well organized; and, if I were ever anything, I was always a very well organized handloader. (I can honestly say that I never turned out a deliberate crappy round in my life! Didn't store any of, 'the fruits of my labor' that way, either.) So, how do you store your ammo? |
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You have an extremely bad case of OCD, I don't know if I could live that way without going crazy.
For just paper-punching rounds why go through all the trouble of separating headstamps just to put the same charge and bullet in each one, then mixing them up and re-sorting them when you go shooting ? That's a lot of work I wouldn't do. I load mixed brass the same at the same time, but keep batches separate in ziplock bags with the info/date written on them. Just in case there may be a problem with one batch I won't have a whole ammo can full of possible bad rounds. For my match-grade precision rounds I go with one headstamp but I don't make a lot of them at one time. If I were you I'd break that OCD thing and just load mixed headstamps at the same time. Like someone else said, you are going to accumulate more different headstamps in the future which will really make you nuts. |
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So, how do you store your ammo? Two ways. The first is on shelves where it's immediately available. The second is in heavy duty plastic milk jug crates (That I purchased from Johanna Farms.) I stack these crates up to three high along the sidewalls of my reloading room. Inside each crate all of the boxes are, also, labeled on the outside; and there is a 3 x 5 inch index card taped to the inside lid of each box. The index card has the date of manufacture and ALL the load parameters on it - including how many times the brass has been reloaded. I'm out of reloading now; but I've still got a lot of my own ammo left. I never kept straight-walled pistol brass beyond 12 to 15 reloadings; and I was even fussier about my bottlenecked rifle brass. Most of the ammo I kept after selling off my reloading equipment - I had a whole lot of it - is brand new, matched-headstamp brass; and quite frankly, by far and away, I trust my own ammo more than anything - ANYTHING - that Walmart sells. (Which is the same precision with which I approach everything in life; and it's also one of the reasons, 'Why' I tend to win whatever competition I set my mind to. In case nobody's noticed: MARKSMANSHIP, ITSELF, IS A VERY HIGH PRECISION SKILL. Trust me when I say that, 'It carries over! ') 
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You have an extremely bad case of OCD, I don't know if I could live that way without going crazy. For just paper-punching rounds why go through all the trouble of separating headstamps just to put the same charge and bullet in each one, then mixing them up and re-sorting them when you go shooting ? That's a lot of work I wouldn't do. I load mixed brass the same at the same time, but keep batches separate in ziplock bags with the info/date written on them. Just in case there may be a problem with one batch I won't have a whole ammo can full of possible bad rounds. For my match-grade precision rounds I go with one headstamp but I don't make a lot of them at one time. If I were you I'd break that OCD thing and just load mixed headstamps at the same time. Like someone else said, you are going to accumulate more different headstamps in the future which will really make you nuts. I don't have OCD with anything else but when it comes to making ammo or my guns yeah.... I'm retarded OCD. |
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As far as storing loose ammo in the metal ammo cans, personally I am not worried at all. I look at it this way. If surplus ammunition that comes in the "spam cans" is good after who knows how many years then my ability to store ammunition in a 50 cal or a 30 cal can is pretty much a no brainer.
Another thing to keep in mind with the ammo cans is that our military has ammunition in cans just like these most of the time. The thing is that the rubber gasket on the lid is what helps seal them. just add a desiccant pack to help cut back on moisture is what quite a few of us do. |
| Anyone have a line on desiccant packs for 50 Cal sized cans? Something reasonably priced? How long can you leave them in there? Do they need to be recharged? In general, with my factory ammo I leave the stuff in the boxes throw them in a 50 Cal can and let him sit on the shelf. Am I doing myself a disservice? |
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not all desiccant packs can be recharged, they are not hard to find either one place is ULINE cardboard does absorb the moisture to a degree but not all that great. Unless you live in a very high humidity environment, or get flooding on a regular basis then I wouldn't worry about it all that much. If you are going to store it for extended lengths of time then I think it would be a prudent option.
On the other hand as some others have mentioned, reloading in batches I would separate. this way you can keep track or how things go if you make a change to your load. As long as the gaskets on all of your cans are good, I wouldn't worry too much about them. Short term in my opinion is less than a year, long term is over a year. |
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It's in a cool dry area in my basement. I live in the Northeast, I have dehumidifiers down there, not excessively humid. No flooding crossing my fingers I'm not sure what is referred to as a reasonable amount of time, I don't know how long I'm going to store it as I plan on using it and cycling through it but God only knows it might be 10-20 years so can I just leave it be or what?
As far as uline goes as a reference, what size? |
| for 10-20 years definitely a desiccant pack. some can be recharged. Uline that I posted was meant as a reference as to one option that is out there. I am sure that if you look around there are tons more to find. Uline and some of the other ones are going to be more for bulk orders. I haven't looked up amazon or even the regular shooting supply companies. There should be plenty of information out there to help you determine the best option for you and your environmental conditions. |
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In these boxes, in 30-cal and 50-cal ammo cans.
Those boxes are super cheap, easy to label, and allow very dense organized storage. |
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