silica gel packs?

[Guest Darth Maul]

This will be my start at long term ammo storage. What do you all recommend, if anything, to put in with the ammo? I mean those packets. I think I saw a few different opinions when I Googled. Is there a tried and true recommendation from the members here on what works? 

[Wingshooter]

I have ammo from decades ago that still looks and shoots good. I try to keep all my ammo indoors in a climate controlled room, but I've never used anything other than the box

[glowdotGlock]

I fired 20 .30-06 rounds a couple weeks ago from around the mid 60's with no problems. Wasn't target shooting but they went bang. They've been in the bottom of my dads gun cabinet since I was a kid and no telling were at before that.

[Guest Darth Maul]

I'm glad to hear this. I have a habit of picking up ideas that are trendy and trying them. Good to know my ammo cans will work just fine without any assistance, other than climate control.

[seez52]

I've got some 8mm with 1938 head stamps and Nazi proof marks that seem to shoot pretty well. Haven't tried to group them, but shoot every time.

[UncleJak]

I bought some inexpensive moisture control packs at walmart and put them in my plastic ammo cans with ammo.

[Byedan]

Ammo if stored at a climate you are comfy in will be fine. And for silica pacs you can make them out of silica cat litter and pantyhose and you can recharge them

[Murgatroy]

I have plenty of 30 and 40 year old ammo that still goes bang. None of it was stored with silica.

 

I have a feeling that it wouldn't hurt it at all to treat it well though.

[Wingshooter]

Ammo if stored at a climate you are comfy in will be fine. And for silica pacs you can make them out of silica cat litter and pantyhose and you can recharge them

That's good to know. I'll have to try that... Homemade silica pacs that is, not rechargeable pantyhose :)

[mikegideon]

I keep all my ammo and components in the house. If I was storing it in the garage or attic, I would probaly throw some silica gel packs in just to suck up any moisture. I don't worry about it as long as it's in the house.

[TheBeej418]

With the amount of money we spend on ammo (especially these days) I'd rather be safe than sorry. My friends all recommended silica packs so I picked up 20 for $6 and free shipping from Amazon with my new MTM ammo cans. :-)

To everyone else's point though, if you have central heat and air in your home, that's going to be pulling excess moisture out of your home.

[mikegideon]

I have a silica gel dehumidifier in my safe. I have recharged it once in two years, and it didn't need it then. My ammo gets exposed to more fart gas than moisture. Not sure what I should do about that.

[itchytriggerfinger]

I wouldn't worry too much about the ammo if you're keeping it in the house. 

 

Side note, I as a fly fisherman my fly boxes experience quite a bit of moisture from putting wet flies back in the box.  I put a few of the little silica packs (they come in everything) in each box and it keeps my hooks from rusting.

[Guest Darth Maul]

I went out today and bought a handful of new 5.56 ammo cans. I put about 1000 rds of 5.56 in each. They seal pretty darn tight. I plan on keeping them in the house. I may try the silica kitty litter.

[Wingshooter]

I went out today and bought a handful of new 5.56 ammo cans. I put about 1000 rds of 5.56 in each. They seal pretty darn tight. I plan on keeping them in the house. I may try the silica kitty litter.

I keep some of mine in ammo cans as well. I keep most of it in wooden boxes and the rest in various places. The ammo cans are handy.

[KKing]

I use old surplus ammo cans for all mine. I find the 30 cal. ones are easier to tote around when full if you have to. I think as long as the seals around your lids are good all should be well. But, that being said...I still throw a couple of the small packs in every can because I'm pretty OCD Edited May 8, 2013 by KKing

[Guest Keal G Seo]

If keeping them in climate controlled environments then it is a waste. The climate control controls the humidity. If you are storing elsewhere or if you are storing for prep purposes (SHTF) you should add them for if you had to leave or if the power grid were down. But again, if simply long term storage in your house, don't worry about it.

[KKing]

If keeping them in climate controlled environments then it is a waste. The climate control controls the humidity. If you are storing elsewhere or if you are storing for prep purposes (SHTF) you should add them for if you had to leave or if the power grid were down. But again, if simply long term storage in your house, don't worry about it.

Guess I should have mentioned that, mines stored in a shop. The only heat we run when I'm not working on something is to keep paints and such from freezing and the only air is...a big fan. I'll echo what everyone else said, if it's in your house you're good

[mikegideon]

Guess I should have mentioned that, mines stored in a shop. The only heat we run when I'm not working on something is to keep paints and such from freezing and the only air is...a big fan. I'll echo what everyone else said, if it's in your house you're good

 

You can't go wrong with the silica gel then. I would get the Blue indicating kind, so you can tell if the cans are really staying dry inside. If they turn pink, you need to revise your plan.

[Wingshooter]

Do you guys use silica around your reloading components and smokeless powders? I never have, but I'm curious what the rest of you are doing.

[Guest Darth Maul]

You can't go wrong with the silica gel then. I would get the Blue indicating kind, so you can tell if the cans are really staying dry inside. If they turn pink, you need to revise your plan.

Can these be store bought or do I have to order?

[mikegideon]

Do you guys use silica around your reloading components and smokeless powders? I never have, but I'm curious what the rest of you are doing.

 

My reloading room is in the house. No.

[mikegideon]

Can these be store bought or do I have to order?

 

Don't know. I would probably order. They're not expensive

 

http://www.silicagelpackets.com/indicating-silica-gel-packets-and-indicator-cards/indicating-silica-gel-packets

Edited May 8, 2013 by mikegideon