How long can i expect to be able to store XM193 or Q3131A?  Since itr is sealed, how long till heat and humidity would affect it?  Would putting dessicant packs or storing inside corrosion inhibiting bags help?  What is the best method for long term storage?

Also, how about Winchester Ranger pistol ammo?  Time it can be stored, how, etc?

Thanks.

I have shot ammo from WW2

Three major factors in the break down of ammo are time & temperature plus humidity.

The best place to keep ammo (for the ammo that is ;-) would be in a nice cool dry place ... such as the master bed room closet of you house with the AC on in the summer ....

A simple way to store ammo, is package it in clean metal USGI ammo cans with good seals, possible after leaving sit around inside the house for a few weeks during the cold of winter if you heat with force air (lower humidity).

Stored correctly should be VERY VERY good for five years plus (here we are talking failure rates measured in PPM and most of use do not shoot the millions of rounds to get a good feel for the actual failures rate ;-) and still not bad ammo for dozens of years.

Lastly, if it was me I would stay away from the new "no lead" clean ammo for any long term storage ... if only since is new (was similar issues back before WWII with the early non-corrosive sporting primers).


Then just date and rotate through each 1000 round can every few weeks or years depending on the level of shooting.

Last Saturday I burned up some .223 stuff i've had since 1983...and it went BANG.........no special storage required.....


[sniper2]          [headbang]

Life of stored ammo? Pretty boring I'd guess. Sittin' 'round in cans waitin' for SHTF and end of the world as we now no it stuff to happen. I'd rather be cheap plinkin' ammo myself.

I second that.  Also, what JTinIN said above.

I just keep it in ammo cans or something similar and put in a few little dessicant cans or bags with the ammo.  It should last far longer than you will have it like this. understanding of course, that your keeping it inside  fairly even temp'd environs.  Heat and HUMIDITY are the killers not so much the amount of time!

last week i shot some ugly tarnished LC 77 that had been on strippers for 25yrs. good hot ammo.