Alternative to Ammo Cans?

[Peace]

I was about to click "checkout" on some ammo cans, and I didn't do it.

 

I'm curious, are any of you using an alternative that you like better?  What are you using and why?

 

-maybe you use something that is less obviously "ammo", maybe something cheaper, maybe something downright better.

 

 

Watcha got?

[KaNaPaPi]

Go to grocery store that decorates cakes.  They will give away or sell frosting buckets for approximately 2 bucks.  These are very heavy duty buckets with handles and lids.  However, they are 2-3 gallon, as opposed to the 5 gallon buckets.

[K191145]

I have handgun and shotgun in standard ammo cans but I have rifle and .22 ammo in a Craftsman plastic tool box. Can hold a lot of full boxes of rifle ammo in the box and quite a lot of .22 in the top tray since most .22 comes in small plastic boxes. Works pretty good.

[2.ooohhh]

I've seen ammo in proper ammo cans stand up to floods, tornadoes, falling out of trucks, and decade after decade of storage. I can't imagine why I would use anything else for storing ammo.

[hipower]

Ok, off on a tangent again.

 

Do any of you guys and gals store your excess mags in cans? Or something else? I plan on storing loaded AR and AK mags in ammo cans.

 

I started thinking about my pistol mags next. Thought about the ammo cans, but most of the time the cans would be only partially filled. Probably will use this

 

format anyway, but thought about using some sort of plastic see thru containers to readily ID mags.

 

But so far, I haven't found anything I like. Must be sealable and have as close to airtight as possible.

 

The cheap storage boxes at big box stores are not only higher than the ammo cans, most don't seal well.

 

Just wondering about other ideas and methods.

[frankmako]

I use ammo cans and plastic coffee cans. Yes ammo cans are better. But I got reloads in plastic coffee cans. I did a large 9mm run in 05 and dump them in plastic coffee cans. Open one up yesterday and they look the same as the day I dump them in. Shot some and the all went bang.

[Garufa]

I was about to click "checkout" on some ammo cans, and I didn't do it.

 

Go back and add them to your cart.  There really is no substitute if you're looking for classy, robust, long-term storage.

[hipower]

I use ammo cans and plastic coffee cans. Yes ammo cans are better. But I got reloads in plastic coffee cans. I did a large 9mm run in 05 and dump them in plastic coffee cans. Open one up yesterday and they look the same as the day I dump them in. Shot some and the all went bang.

 

Good idea for bulk ammo. I might have to hit in-laws up to save me a couple and try it out.

[Peace]

Thank you, TGO'rs!!  Ammo cans have been purchased.  3-5 days shipping.  - probably will be shopping for a vacuum sealer as well.   :)  

 

Merry Christmas all!

[Grand Torino]

Folks use a lot of different methods to store ammo but truth be told the steel ammo can is probably one of the best ways. I've managed to rat hole all I need over the years but still buy one up if I see it at a yard sale.

[2.ooohhh]

Thank you, TGO'rs!!  Ammo cans have been purchased.  3-5 days shipping.  - probably will be shopping for a vacuum sealer as well.   :)

 

Merry Christmas all!

Honestly vacuum sealing isn't worth the hassle IMHO. I bought a few hundred desiccant packs off amazon and just drop a few in each ammo can with the ammo after I coat them in carnauba wax via a quick dry tumble.

[broox]

I have a little ammo stashed away in 2 gallon buckets with the snap on lids. I make sure the lid has an o-ring(some don't), put a couple dessicant packs in there, and smack the lid on with a mallet. I think this is great long term storage.

[TrickyNicky]

I got a few big pretzel jars and keep some .22 in there. I also have probably 2-3 mo cans full as well. Centerfire is all in ammo cans except a duffle bag full of loaded mags I bought off Spots a year or two back. He was kind enough to give me the bag so I still use it.


I need to order some more cans one of these days, though first I'll see how well everything I have fits in its new home in a month or so. Preparing for my move I took all guns and ammo to my parents house where I already had a sizable stash. Seeing what was already there with what I just brought over was enough to make a few relations give me some funny looks :rofl: . Funny they don't seem to mind shooting my ammo, but ask em to store it for awhile and it's suddenly "filling the whole closet, mah mah mah, blah blah blah."

[Omega]

Ammo cans are overrated.  They work great if stored properly out of the weather, but not very good for outdoor storage.  The seals will fail eventually, some just last longer than others.  I have gone through a few cans hiding geocaches, like I said some last longer than others.  I do use them to store ammo, mostly loose, but some in their own boxes but mostly I just stack the boxes on shelves.

[CommsNBombs]

I use plastic coffee bins for long term. Everything else is just in a cardboard box or ziplocks.

Ammo cans are what the cool guys use because the military uses em.

They add unnecessary weight, unless its a 40mm or M6/7 BC canister the seals arent the best and they like building up moisture in temp changes.

Get some vacuum bags and throw dessicants in them for LT storage

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[hipower]

Honestly vacuum sealing isn't worth the hassle IMHO. I bought a few hundred desiccant packs off amazon and just drop a few in each ammo can with the ammo after I coat them in carnauba wax via a quick dry tumble.

 

You coat the desiccant packs with wax? Why?

[btq96r]

I use an old ammo can to carry boxed or loose rounds to the range, as well as store cleaning supplies and a leatherman.  A bag could do just as good, but my ammo can laying on its side, with a sandbag rest on top of it is the perfect height for a makeshift rifle support.

 

As to filled magazines, bandolier's are pretty good for holding them.  The ones they issued when the Army fielded MOLLE gear held six mags and can be had for relatively cheap.  One in the house, one in the truck, one in the go-bag...they make a good way to have six mags ready to supplement the one in your rifle as you go about your day.

[musicman]

You coat the desiccant packs with wax? Why?

I think he meant he tumbles the AMMO with wax. I tumble my brass this way when I load and it's great, imho. Slick, shiny surface that just glides through the dies, and a protective coat on the ammo that helps diminish/reduce tarnishing/corrosion.

I haven't made the jump to tumbling loaded ammo yet myself. I know it's most likely no biggie, I just have a personal fear of changing the burn rate of a propellant by possibly altering it's given granular shape/size through tumbling. I know all the arguments, I'm just not quite ready to go there yet. However, I don't think anyone is crazy for making that choice, either. Edited December 19, 2015 by musicman

[hipower]

I think he meant he tumbles the AMMO with wax. I tumble my brass this way when I load and it's great, imho. Slick, shiny surface that just glides through the dies, and a protective coat on the ammo that helps diminish/reduce tarnishing/corrosion.

I have made the jump to tumbling loaded ammo yet myself. I know it's most likely no biggie, I just have a personal fear of changing the burn rate of a propellant by possibly altering it's given granular shape/size through tumbling. I know all the arguments, I'm just not quite ready to go there yet. However, I don't think anyone is crazy for making that choice, either.

Oh...I see. Says the blind man. Thanks. It just read kinda funny to me. Or was it me that read it funny?

[musicman]

As for the ammo cans; yea, sure. I use them all. Milsurp, plastic, shallow, deep, MTM ammo crates, whatever. I have more ammo than container space, so I grab a few of whatever I find at a good price... often.

My "go boxes" with premium stuff in the calibers I'd take if I had to leave quickly are all milsurp 30 and 50 cal cans. I figure those metal handles are more durable under all that weight than plastic when being handled roughly. I keep those inside and climate controlled. The garage has some plastic ammo cans with cheap plinking stuff in them. I don't keep any metal cans out there due to what I perceive to be a greater propensity for metal to sweat and rust in an environment where temps swings from about 55-90 degrees can happen throughout the year, with accompanying changes in humidity. My garage is not climate controlled, but is surrounded by living on two sides, and above. I feel plastic offers advantages in that scenario. Again, it's just plinking/overflow ammo that goes out there. Our next home will hopefully offer me more interior volume and useable space. It's getting where I really need two man-caves... one for guitar stuff and one for gun stuff.

[musicman]

Oh...I see. Says the blind man. Thanks. It just read kinda funny to me. Or was it me that read it funny?

No, I can get how one would think what you thought. I just am very familiar with that idea so read it the way he meant, I believe. :-)

[hipower]

If anyone interest in milsurp ammo cans, the dealer at the Nashville Flea market has them this weekend.

I just got back after buying some.

Has the 556 cans for 12, the 50 cal cans for 15, and the next 2 larger sizes for 20 and 30 each.

Nice guy to deal with, sorry I can't remember his name.

If you go up the hill from the main enterence, he is the first tent on the left corner.


Edit: Forgot to mention. These cans are in excellent shape, may find a little sand in them, and a very few scatches on them.

I usually open and check for sings of leaks or rust and check the seals.

And this is the man most of the lgs get their cans from. So better hurry out. Edited December 19, 2015 by hipower

[KKing]

I use a mix of 30/50 cal surplus cans and the large plastic dry boxes from Wally World. No the plastic won't stand up to the abuse of the surplus cans. All are stored in a humidity controlled climate and the most abuse they get is going from storage, to my vehicle, to the range and back. Plastic suits me just fine.

[hipower]

I use a mix of 30/50 cal surplus cans and the large plastic dry boxes from Wally World. No the plastic won't stand up to the abuse of the surplus cans. All are stored in a humidity controlled climate and the most abuse they get is going from storage, to my vehicle, to the range and back. Plastic suits me just fine.

Glad it works for you. My situation is a bit less static. I do have humidity issues because of our property. So I gotta be a bit more involved with storage.

[KKing]

Glad it works for you. My situation is a bit less static. I do have humidity issues because of our property. So I gotta be a bit more involved with storage.

I do still use a couple small desiccants in each one because I'm a bit of a nut lol