Posted: 9/21/2008 5:45:47 PM EDT
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My safe was flooded, aproximately 33 inches of water during the surge from hurricane Ike. Today I pulled a few bullets to check if my powder was wet. Some ammo that got wet: 500 rds. LC M193. I think I can save it. 160 rds. WCC 7.62mm. 250 rds. Black Hills .223 55gr FMJ LC brass new manufacture red box. ouch!. 1100 rds. Winchester white box 9mm. 48 rds. Hornady .308 150gr. 20 rds. Match 68gr BTHP .223 50 rds .223 Nosler BT 55gr. 100 rds .223 LC Blanks An ammo can leaked. I had a piece of the seal wire between the gasket and lid was unaware of this and seepage got in. Not all my ammo was in ammo cans, but I did manage to keep over 840 rds of LC M855 (broke the seal to check it) and 220 rds Winchester Q3131 dry as a bone. My lesson learned on ammo storage. "Be sure to store ammo in water tight containers." 
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When we had water come into the house years ago, it got to the ammo under the bed. This was fresh water and the biggest problem was with the shotgun shells. All the copper jacketed stuff was fine in both rifle and pistol. The rifle blanks with cardboard tip closures were toast. I would be concerned about the salt at this point. Assuming you have dried the ammo, have you rinsed the salt residue away? Also, the safe will corrode. Can you take the door off and remove the inner panel? Would the surge spray have reached the lock or dial? That would be bad to have the tumblers corrode and stick. No way to open the safe by next summer......... If I were in your shoes, I would consider the flooded ammo to be target practice / shoot asap ammo. But not knowing anything about the safe I would worry more about it. Good Luck! |
Use electricians silicone grease. The hydrocarbons in the motor oil would make it a short term use only item. Would work, but the LPS is better, and the silicone the best. Some of the cans from the 70's did not last as long with the 30wt I used. YMMV |
I would use transmission fluid. People put a small dab of it into their engine oil when it leaks. The transmission fluid makes the gaskets swell. |
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I own a Cannon safe they are warranted against natural disaster fire and flood. After speaking to Cannon on the phone they will most probably replace the safe. I am only responsible for packing the damaged safe on a pallet, because they want it. I will try to use silicone grease to help seal my ammo cans in the future. Some of my ammo was not in cans, but cardboard boxes from manufacturer. I am salvaging all I can. The black hills had wet powder and some others but not the mil-spec. I will tumble the mil-spec. The mil-speck has sealant around bullets and primers. The ammo was submerged. I don't know how long exactly. |