Ammo storage?

[charlessummers]

Been storing my ammo in my gun safe, but it's getting to the point where that is no longer adequate, meaning... I need to find another way to store it. How do you store your ammo?

[thundersnow]

Also wondering if ammo boxes are made a certain size ? Like might fit into a can. If it were possible to make a lockable shelf that would fit most boxes. That'd be cool.

[Glock30]

I store mine loose in USGI cans with good seals and fresh desiccant. 30 cal cans will hold 600 5.56 or 1000 9mm; 50 cal cans will hold 1000 5.56, 2000 loose 9mm, or 1000 9mm perfectly in boxes/trays.

 

Close it up and don't open it unless you're checking the seal once in a blue moon or using the stuff. JMHO.

[Troutburger]

Same here, loose in ammo cans.

[runco]

I have the same problem, I use my safe to store 50 caliber ammo cans, and I need more room. However, I use my safe for two reasons, one for the fire protection and second for the security aspect. I can certainly move my 10 cans to the closet, but I lose the two reasons for using the safe. Do I just need another safe? My wife will sure to love that!

[Guest BCR#1]

All my ammo is stored in one of the cheap Stack-On brand security cabinets. Loose ammo is stacked in GI ammo cans and factory boxes are stored on the shelf at the top.You cand find them used on armslist and craigslist for under $100.00, I paid $60.00 for mine.

 

Bill

[SonnyCrockett]

Been storing my ammo in my gun safe, but it's getting to the point where that is no longer adequate, meaning... I need to find another way to store it. How do you store your ammo?

 

I use 50cal ammo cans with a small gel pack in each can

stored in various places around the house 

[NRA]

Ahh a question as old as time.  I just keep mine in the sock drawer next to my underpants (no joke)

Edited December 8, 2013 by NRA

[RED333]

A gun safe will not protect ammo from a fire, the temp will get high enough to set off the ammo.

Safes keep the temp down to a certain point, fire proof is a misnomer, do your research.

I know a man that had papers, money and ammo in one, had a fire. This man was a LEO,

is a firearm instructor. He lost everything in a fire, had a good safe and thought he was safe from loss

due to fire.

Just understand in a fire you will loose ammo, paper, wood and plastic.

Some safes use dry wall like panels inside for a fire barrier, these panels

have a bit of water in them that turns to steam to slow down the heat from getting to high.

I feel there is no way to "fire proof" your stuff, just slow the heat down till you get the fire out.

The best thing to do is dont let a fire start (I know that is a stretch).

If you have the money, build a concrete vault, 12" block, filled with concrete,

poured concrete roof and a vault door.

Buy cheap and you will pay in the long run.

Put only firearms in a good safe, no paper or ammo.

[frankmako]

for many mango seasons i stored ammo many different ways. i.e. in the factory box, in plastic ammo boxes, in coffee cans (metal and plastic), loose in socks, loose in plastic bags, factory boxes in ammo cans, plastic boxes in ammo cans, loose in ammo cans.  right now for me the best way is loose in army ammo cans and plastic coffee cans. less space for storage.  you can put a can anywhere and it does not take up much space.  i do not store ammo in the gun safe.  ammo storage is a hot topic, everybody has their own way.  i got some ammo that started with me in west texas in the 70's and moved to south florida, moved to washington dc, then to southeast tennessee and it lived outside in a storage building and/or garage.  some in the factory box.  this ammo is just as good as day one and still goes bang.  don't over think ammo storage.   

[tnguy]

Ahh a question as old as time.  I just keep mine in the sock drawer next to my underpants (no joke)

 

Same here. I consider ammo as replaceable but I have mostly pistol rounds anyway.

 

I do need to sort out a decent long-gun safe but have no idea where to put it. The basement might work but it gets humid down there.

[Raoul]

I use the large Pellican dryboxes and keep a charged portable dehumidifier in them.

[charlessummers]

Ahh a question as old as time.  I just keep mine in the sock drawer next to my underpants (no joke)

If I kept mine in my sock drawer... I'd have no room for my socks.

 

I like the idea of the cheap "Stack-On" safe. I was thinking about bringing in my little truck box from the garage and using it. I know my guns are secure in the safe, or at least from my kids and their friends, and I want my ammo to be as well. Being that the ammo cans can be locked, I may pick up a few of those at the next gun show.

[Jonnin]

I do not like storing ammo in my safe.  If you had a fire, it could explode and do more damage.  Depending on the fire the guns may be ruined anyway, but your chances of recovery increase.

 

So mine is not in the safe.  I have a grab bag for SHTF and the rest is stored in standard ammo boxes in a designated location.  

[173rdABN]

I use berrys 30cal cans. Seal nice and take up little room. Them being clear is a big plus so I can see what's in each one. I have a couple other ammo cans but I use those for the little factory ammo I have and the 50cal cans keep 24 loaded AR mags each.

I use to have a separate massive safe for ammo. It just isn't worth it. Safe will never be big enough :)

[charlessummers]

How do you keep those wire shelves on the wall?? They're not known for holding too much weight... at least not where I work.

[peejman]

Mostly in boxes, some loose in various milsurp and plastic ammo cans spread out around the closet.  As well all know, ammo is heavy.  Be wary of concentrating too much weight in one spot.  Typical residential (non slab) construction flooring is designed for a 40 lb/sqft static load. 

[Dennis1209]

Man, I've seen small independent communist nations like New York and California that their military doesn't store that much ammo. Now I can visually see just how much ammo the DHS ordered and what a "billion" actually is :wave:

[173rdABN]

The shelves bend a little, but have yet to cause concern. I know there is a couple hundred pounds on the middle shelf. Just waiting for the day it wants to collapse and all the bullets spill all over everything. Guess it'll be karma for knowing it'll someday break yet still putting everything there. Im not sure where else in the house to put stuff. I have my own man cave, but if I bring anything outside of there the wife starts to get a little cranky about that. haha. So, I'm just working with the space I have available. 

 

How do you keep those wire shelves on the wall?? They're not known for holding too much weight... at least not where I work.

[whitewolf001]

Ammo cans, lots and lots of ammo cans.

[tartanphantom]

I favor 40mm "thumper" cans for bulk storage, but they're a little harder to find, unlike 30 & 50 cal.

 

I don't currently do my own reloading, so my ammo is pretty much all store-bought or milsurp.

Edited December 10, 2013 by tartanphantom

[Flyboy]

We'll let me ask this question?
The ammo itself will last with out any special boxes or care wont it. Are we just talking for safety reasons here. I don't use any moister packs or cans for my few boxes. Figured I have ammo that my grand father had and it still goes boom!!!

FlyBoy

[NRA]

people waaaayy over think this whole thing

[jphillips63]

I have mine in dry boxes in an underground storm bunker I had put in just to store my ammo and gun powder.

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[peejman]

We'll let me ask this question?
The ammo itself will last with out any special boxes or care wont it. Are we just talking for safety reasons here. I don't use any moister packs or cans for my few boxes. Figured I have ammo that my grand father had and it still goes boom!!!

FlyBoy

If it's stored indoors in a controlled environment, probably. If left open in a garage or musty basement, maybe for a while but not for 50 years.

And yes, I'm sure a lot of us overdo our storage techniques for various reasons.... Security from kids or anyone else is likely the primary reason, followed closely by a mild case of OCD.