Quick question here for people with experience with it.
I have been storing my ammo in the retail boxes I get them at the store in and put those boxes into an ammo can for ease of storage. However lately I find myself running out of ammo cans/room and was wondering if it is just as good to get the ammo and if the same manufacture should just dump it all in an ammo can without the paper box. I'm sure I could fit a lot more loose rounds in a can, but don't want to cause problems. Are there any negatives as long as you keep it temperature stable and put a bit of desiccant in the ammo can ?
Thoughts ? Thanks
Ammo storage
Moderator: carlson1
Re: Ammo storage
I personally only store high quality SD and match grade ammo in dessicated ammo cans (in the factory boxes). For plinking ammo I just keep it stored in whatever it came from factory. As long as it is in air conditioned room it will not rust or deteriorate.
If you want to dump ammo out of boxes into cans that will work too. The only disadvantage is that it can be difficult later on to figure out which ammo is which. Also if you ever want to sell it you will get less money if the ammo is not in factory boxes.
If you want to dump ammo out of boxes into cans that will work too. The only disadvantage is that it can be difficult later on to figure out which ammo is which. Also if you ever want to sell it you will get less money if the ammo is not in factory boxes.
Re: Ammo storage
There is also a very small risk of a round going off if another round happens to dent the primer if the ammo can gets dropped.
A few years ago, I read where a guy posted about an AD that happened at the range. An ejected spent case flew into his range bag which had a bunch of loose ammo in it. The stars aligned just right & the edge of the spent case hit a primer, causing it to go off. He had pictures, so I believe it really happened.
The odds are so far against it as to be infinitesimal, but you should know it could happen.
A few years ago, I read where a guy posted about an AD that happened at the range. An ejected spent case flew into his range bag which had a bunch of loose ammo in it. The stars aligned just right & the edge of the spent case hit a primer, causing it to go off. He had pictures, so I believe it really happened.
The odds are so far against it as to be infinitesimal, but you should know it could happen.
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. - John Adams
Re: Ammo storage
From experience, sadly my own.
Do not drop the can. Stars can align more often than you think.
Do not drop the can. Stars can align more often than you think.
Re: Ammo storage
Thanks for the feedback. I was mainly trying to save space and remembered one day when shooting with police officers they just had a 50cal can full of 40s and were scooping the rounds out as they needed it.
Good points. May stick to the original boxes with the plastic or cardboard diving cartridges. Although WWB bulk pack 9mm comes all loose and have never had problems.
Good points. May stick to the original boxes with the plastic or cardboard diving cartridges. Although WWB bulk pack 9mm comes all loose and have never had problems.
Re: Ammo storage
I never thought of that. I guess I had better keep that in mind the next time I handle the ammo can with the loose .22 rounds. The rest of the ammo is in boxes. Thanks for the heads up.
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Re: Ammo storage
Personally, I keep my ammo in boxes or clips to prevent damage to the rounds or the dreaded unintended *detonation* in the can or range bag. It doesn't really take up that much room and it gives me another excuse to go to the gun show. "Honey, I need to pick up a couple of ammo cans at the gun show this weekend....and anything else that really interests me (quietly)." 
Re: Ammo storage
I store it both ways depending on the caliber and how much I have or intend to buy. I found that most of the range ammo I buy fits in the .50cal can just as well boxed or loose. It is also a lot easier to see what your inventory is when it is boxed. The only time I really buy loose stuff if it is from a reputable supplier or quality reloads from Collins Cartridge Company. But now that is has been mentioned I have purchased lots of WWB value packs in 9mm and TONS of bulk packaged .22lr and never had issues. I don't think the manufacturer would distribute ammo in that fashion if there was an inherent danger.
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Re: Ammo storage
I dump all my cheapo ammo ( Wolf 7.62 and 5.56) loose in .50 cal ammo cans, and throw away the packaging. I have never had any issues. I leave them in my garage where the temps. vary from over 100 degrees to below freezing depending on the season. I have been shooting the same batch of Wolf 5.56 for the last 5 years, think I bought about 2,000 rds then. I am down to the last 200 or so rounds and have never had any issues. My 7.62 never lasts more than a year, as I shoot about 1,000 rds, a year easy. On another note, I have reloads from the early 90's that were stored the same way, of which I have never had any issues with. I know extreme temperatures effect ammo, but based on my experience, it must take decades. As for the safety aspect of bullet tips igniting primers in loose packed conditions, I guess it's possible, but I doubt anything would escape a steel ammo can.... If the round is not in a chamber, it would just explode in all directions I would guess.