Step 1 put ammo in can Step 2 close can Step three put can in an appropriate location Optional desiccant packet may be applied after every bag of tactical beef jerky consumed
You're absolutely right, but its best to use new desiccant packs that change color when saturated, they're cheap. Often times the packs that come in jerky and other packages are already saturated and there's no way to tell.
@@petergriffin383 very true and you can make you own as well with the cat litter desiccant and that will change color and if god forbid you ever need to dry it out more just bake in the oven at low tow 150-200 for about an hour
I have the metal 50 caliber cans ( but not the military) , I got them from tractor supply some for $4 years ago and now $10. I have the cardboard box inside them and they are not opened in a long time. The room is climate controlled.
I keep my ammo in the cardboard boxes they come with and I store them in metal cans with 40 gram silica packs. I have over 10k rounds and I've been doing this for about 5 years now. All of my ammo remain new like the day I bought them. I think cardboard only becomes an issue if you don't store them properly. Thanks for the informative video.
That sounds correct to me! If you properly take care of what the cardboard is stored in it should be fine. I just prefer not to because of that slight chance for moisture contamination. But you're right, when you do it correctly it shouldn't be an issue.
YES!!! Keep your ammo in original boxes, inside .30 cal or .50 cal cans. NOT PLASTIC AMMO CANS. THOSE ARE PERMEABLE! Use a hand-warmer or O2 absorber. Those absorb oxygen and moisture, because they contain iron. The original boxes, as long as they aren't moist, will protect the ammo!!!
@@RockHudrock If you don't mind me asking what is hand warmer or O2 absorber? Are you talking the silica gel packs I was told to make not buy? Thank you
My suggestion for storing ammo: Do not have them haul off your old freezer or refrigerator. Cut off the cord (after unplugging it), and use it to store your ammo. Add a couple of hinges and padlocks and you have an insulated metal ammo storage locker for almost free.
If you are storing loose ammo in a box, you can take the part of the cardboard packaging with all the ammo information on it and put it on top of the pile like a business card, then close the lid. You will not have to wonder what exact type of ammo are in there.
Yeah, people overthink ammo storage...it's not dynamite.. I have ammo I bought in 1975 that is stored in the original boxes and then stored in a larger boxes in my closets. They shoot just fine and the chrono speed is very close to those advertised on the box. Just store it in a cool dry place in a low humidity environment and you'll be fine.
Keep a SPREADSHEET with your ammo purchases so that you know How much you have, HOW OLD, WHAT CALIBERS, TYPE (FMJ, HP). So that you can rotate your ammo.
Or, uses different cans for different ammo, write the date purchased on the box and put it in the appropriate can. I also use a marker to label the top, both ends and both sides of the can with grain weight since I only have 9mm. I like the spread sheet idea but I’d never keep it up to date. For me, ammo cans are a visual representation of what I have. I like some folks, I can’t afford thousands of rounds when I buy ammo and I shoot too much to ever have much over a couple thousand rounds.
Metal ammo can as shown is my choice with ammo in original boxes. I also put in an Eva-dry moisture eliminator packets (1 half pound packet per can). I also put Vaseline on the o-ring to protect it from drying out and to improve the seal.
100% right. I use 1 cup of rice in an old nylon sock spread it flat in my ammo can and pile it in. I also like to use ammo bags even zip lock bags of 50 rounds. that way I know how much ammo is in the can. I also put a pencil and paper in the can with caliber and amount. That way as you use it you know what you have.
100% right that's why they put a wet cell phone in rice to draw the moisture out. I do the same for my electronic gear stored in ammo cans as well. Oh a side note lol. Wrapping electronics in heavy aluminum foil and taped close even protects against lets say an EMP?
Roy Stevens I just keep my ammo in the cats litter box. Keeps her bone dry. The only sucky part is digging it out. “ ammo, ammo, not ammo, ammo....” Actually seriously if you get the pure crystal cat litter that they sell, I forgot what the brand is, It’s pure silica gel and you can make your own dessicants.
Watching your channel grow over the years has been a real treat. One of my favorite things to do is toss on some of your older content while I’m tinkering around the shop.
great info!!! i build aluminum signs and had a bunch of scrap laying around and made some boxes to fit the plastic shell holders and got rid or the cardboard boxes they stack neatly into a 50 cal can!! i really out did myself on this one lol works great for reloading to!!
First, I'm going to say, the ammo in that Remington box is only tarnished (that's not corrosion) and really not even that badly tarnished. While speaking about tarnish, ever cartridge you've touched with you bare hands, is going to tarnish over time too. Again, that isn't going to hurt the ammo at all, but if you are worried about tarnished ammo, the body oils on your hands is going to cause tarnish. Honestly, the best option is the surplus ammo cans. I've been storing for years and only use surplus ammo cans. Nothing I've seen stacks better. You can take it a step further, by using zip-loc bags. I recommend freezer zip-loc bags as they are heavier duty. I store in equal predetermined amounts, with a desiccant pack in each bag. Then I stack them in the ammo cans, so they work like battle packs or range bags. Just grab the number of bags you intend to shoot at the range. I do not wear gloves when bagging and canning ammo, because being a military vet, tarnished ammo does not bother me at all and its going to take a long time before you even notice the tarnishing caused by your skin oils. Some people will freak out about handling ammo without gloves, but hey, if they want to be that anal about it, more power to them.
Very helpful video. I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge. What I allways do is every time I go to range for a little RnR. I shoot my old ammo and replace it with new ammo.
Excellent video! Tip: You would be surprised at how many different pistol rounds fit on 5.56 stripper clips. It makes it easy to store extra ammo in places like under the foam in a pistol case. 9mm, .380, 9x18, 7.62 Tok, etc. I also vac seal rounds for my bug out bags. I had 7.62 Tokarev rounds vacuumed sealed in a bag in the trunk of my car for 2 years. Hot summers, cold winters.... it was perfect, no issues firing or corrosion.
Stripper clips do a good job of keeping it tidy that is true. I used to have a bunch before I sold my M1A. I didn't realize you could put pistol rounds in them but that is good to know. Yes I have rounds in my truck right now that have experienced -40 - 80 degrees and they still look pretty good. It's also very humid here in ND so they seem to be holding up well there too.
A warning about silica packs. They will draw the moisture out of the cartridges when sealed up with them. Not good, as powder comes from the factory with 40-50% humidity in single base, and 50-60% humidity in the double base powders. When the reloading manuals give a powder charge weight it is with the moisture include in the weight. So it is with the factory ammo as well. If one dries the powder out, the rounds will be hotter than originally planned. In maximum (especially +P and +P+) loads it can become dangerous. And yes moisture can seep into a loaded round, as well as back out again depending on the humidity level out side the cartridge if given a month or so, unless one seals the round with sealant. Hence it is best to store ammo, powder, and primers in a controlled environment of say 49-58% humidity. This can be done within the sealed ammo cans by putting a Boveda 49% or 58% Two-Way Humidity Control Pack. Or one could store them in a Cigar Humidor cabinet that is both Humidity and temperature controlled. I personally stored my ammo in IP-65 rated boxes with silica packs in them, with Bluetooth temp and humidity monitors to boot. Within days the humidity levels were around 28%. Not good if left that way for extended amounts of time. I have since taken the packs out and replaced them with the two way humidity control packs. Now things are as should be. chronoplotter.com/2021/08/19/how-does-humidity-affect-powder/ bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/09/tech-tip-humidity-can-change-powder-burn-rates/ ua-cam.com/video/pzDHRwi3QVk/v-deo.html
The absolute best way to store ammo for long term storage is vacuum sealing in the original box and placed in a quality O-ring ammo can. You and also store your rifles/hand guns with a gun sock and vacuum seal them. The sock will protect sharp edges from puncturing the seal. I've been doing this since 2010. Open a can, take a box or two, looks and performs the same way as I stored them 10 years ago. ** side note ** Make sure your firearms are lubricated prior to sealing.
Good to know! And what type of ammunition do you usually store? Anything in particular? Or is it just whatever you happen to decide to buy? I wish I could just stock up on nickel plated cartridges but, it's not financially friendly.
I go by the 2000 round + per rifle ratio. I loaded up on every rifle I own. Also, magazines, stripper clips and cartridge belts . Plenty of magazines, stripper clips and cartridge belts. If you can't feed them, they are a club. With the exception of military surplus. Most are fitted with bayonets. Then you have a spear. Never go code black.
I sealed ammo in double-sealed food saver bags inside ammo cans with rice about 8-10 years ago when I first started prepping. Almost all the bags were no longer sealed when I inventoried this year. I don't know if it's the seal or the plastic, but they didn't stay vacuum packed over the long haul. I realized it was just reducing the number of rounds that fit in a can by half or more, so I've abandoned the practice and just store in ammo cans with dessicant packets or loose rice. But I agree that it has its utility to store extra ammo in the field, especially if you expect to be exposed to the weather.
For really long term storage I use the 50 cal military boxes. When read to store bulk ammo I use dry nitrogen forced into van as I shut it. This displaces the oxygen out. Mind you I use pressure dry nitrogen using an AC charging hose. This has worked great for years on end. As long as you don’t open the can.
I always use military ammo cans. I also use zip lock bags inside the cans. I mark the bags with the total amount and anything else that's useful. Seems to work for me.
This is exactly what I did yesterday. I emptied all my little cardboard boxes of ammo into zip lock bags seperated by brand and caliber marked each bag then I put the smaller bags into a bigger zip lock bag and then into a plastic ammo can then stored them in a day cabinet.
The good videos just keep rolling. Keep of up! One word of caution for the crowd: don’t assume WD40 is good for wiping down the ammo can. It’s literally worse than leaving it dry. It eats the brass coating off of shotgun shell bases and reacts to the seams on rifle rounds= green gunk reaction. I learned that one the hard way. For a super cheap but darn good ammo can, its hard to beat a used 1 gallon paint can. I burn any old residual paint out, and give the whole thing a good coat of spray paint. Put two layers of zip lock bags in, fill them up. Resist the urge to silicone or caulk the lid- a dry fit is better. I’ve buried these (not with ammo) for several years continuously and not had them leak or rust through. And finally, the one step up in size from the 50 cal can has a lid that completely removes, a latch at each end. Its about twice the capacity of a 50 cal. I just like them because the don’t tip backwards. And hold more :D. They are often priced at about .50 cal can prices.
Great advice and good feedback! I didn't go over many of the other options out there as I assume most people will just go out and buy some kind of storage can. However, the alternative methods like your paint can technique do work! Just like those capped off PVC pipes. Yes WD40 is harsher then most people realize. It's like Hoppes #9. It does a great job of cleaning but, it can eat the finish off of something if you let it. That's why I like the silicone cloths. They seem pretty mild.
WD 40 is garbage from the 70's or 80's I think. I found a can of it that made it's way into my house, and I promptly put it where it belongs, in the trash.
For any of you in the hvac industry (or know someone who is. .. you could simply tap the side of your container (that has o-rings at least) with a refrigeration valve fitting (making sure that it's properly sealed) and connect it to your vacuum pump over night. That should keep ammo bone dry for a long time. As long as your seals hold up. Great video you got me thinking. ...
Ammo can size is subjective, same with water cans. Many people don't consider the overall weight of the item and who might be carrying them. If you're significant other, persons in your party, or you have younger / older persons, in a SHTF situation, you may need to move and need to consider the weight they can carry comfortably... Last thing I want is to be the only one loading up a vehicle cause everything is too heavy for others to handle.
Interesting video, but some corrections.: The rubber seal around the top is not an “o-ring”, it’s a gasket. Two very different animals. Silica and oxygen absorbers do not cancel each other. Silica absorbs moisture, oxygen absorbers obviously absorb oxygen. The latter has nothing to do with moisture and is typically used to prolong the life of food and some drugs. No benefit for ammo storage.
I think something like this is more important if you have a very large supply, or you are caching it somewhere. For a lot of people like me, just leaving it in the box (though I put the boxes in cans) and shooting the old stuff first works just fine. Ammunition which isn't even taken care of will last for decades, it's pretty stable stuff.
I agree that it can definitely last. And ammo is pretty resilient. You are right though about having a larger than average supply. It does require additional storage measures. It really is surprising how those old world war I rounds will still go off when they find old stockpiles!
@John Smith How does one afford 10k plus? I cant even get 1k 9mm they want like $50-$65 a box that is nuts! My dream is to have 1k of 9mm range practice and 1k of .38 special in my home but it wont happen at this rate.
@@dam1120 Most reloaders who shoot frequently keep 1000’s of rounds stored for long term. The cans are great for new brass, powder and primer storage. I myself keep 5000 rounds for each cartridge I shoot/reload and also 2000 pcs of new/once fired brass. A minimum of 20#’s of propellant is my low water mark. If you don’t reload or shoot 1000 rnds a month, be patient and wait for deals. If you do shoot that much, I’d highly recommend reloading. The only rounds I don’t reload are 12ga shells. YMMV. 👍
@@dam1120 Most people accumulate that amount over years or stocked up before all the ammo crazes going on. Buy a box or two of ammo a pay and put it back, 1000 rounds will come pretty quickly. Also hit up local stores as well as look online you’ll run into deals on bulk stuff every once and awhile
Loved this video! I myself use strictly ammo cans without any type of desiccant but that is only because I store my ammo in the location I live which is literally the desert. I "keep it organized" via per ammo can itself with some quick writing on tape dump in the rounds and lock it up in my safe that is already temp/humidity controlled. Awesome video though!
As long as its kept dry, it'll be fine...I keep mine in GI ammo boxes..I pack myb reloads is freezer Ziploc bags in quantities of 100 ea in the ammo cans...I've kept them in my garage..in So FL with absolutely no problems...I've got large quantities of old milsurp ammo from my days as a collector of C&R in their original crates...the ammo and crates were designed for long term storage...
Cardboard isn't as bad as most people think. It is much better than using silicone packets, actually. Cardboard absorbs humidity extremely well while dispersing the moisture through the box folds. It really only becomes a problem when stored in air-tight boxes and that is only an issue if moisture can get into those containers. I still have about 700 rounds of XM193 from 1997 still left that I am finally going through and they have been sitting in a closet since 2003. Brass will oxidize regardless of the cardboard. Oxygen will do that. I have thousands of rounds lose in cans, while others are vacuum sealed, and thousands more in the original boxes and all shoot the same. The trick is to keep them in a dry and cool environment. That is really the only rule of thumb needed for long-term storage. Good video, though. Just earned another sub.
Although I have a couple plastic cans, I use mostly metal 50cal cans (65%) and 30cal cans (30%). I store in the mfg boxes and fill as full as I can with the same caliber (except for a couple working/range cans that have mixed caliber). I use several desiccant packets right on top so they are accessible for recharging (in oven). Whatever the volume the desiccant packets are rated for, I use about 5x that amount of packets. I bought hundreds on Amazon. (Note - some are not rechargeable and melt in the oven so find the good ones and buy them in bulk). When it's time (2-3 years) for new packets, I dry replacements packets (recharge) in the oven first, then remove and replace the packets all in one shot. At that time I dry the old packets and store them in an extra 30 cal box. I always dry the packets before they go in with ammo. Years ago I got a good deal on plastic boxes (about 30% bigger than 50cal cans). Most of those I now use for tools, parts, med kits, range box, etc. They have a good gasket but if I fill them with ammo, they are too heavy which also makes them flex too much. Note - If you are near a military base, you might be able to get slighly used metal cans after they've been emptied at the range. I hooked up with a Marine that collected the used cans and sold them for $4 each.
@@Valery_plays I've heard a lot of people say that petroleum based lubricants like motor oil or petroleum jelly should not be used on rubber because it will damage the rubber and that silicone is a better lubricant.
when looking for ammo cans, take a dollar bill close the lid on it, half in half out, and it you can pull that bill freely or with very little resistance, look for a different can. if you cant move the bill or if it pulls hard, you have a can with a good seal. i get strange looks from people when im testing the seal and gotten questions so i shared my thoughts. sure, the oring is there and sure theres the latch BUT the bill shows if the can or lid is warped affecting the seal. my 2 pennies.
I personally use .50 cal metal storage cans. I keep the ammunition in its factory cardboard box plus add desiccant pellets in organza bags. I have used that method for 35 years and I still have serviceable ammo from 35 years ago. I use desiccant that changes color when saturated.
If you live in a area that has gun shows, you can typically find old surplus ammo cans for real cheap. I got some old military 30mm mortar cans for my shotgun ammo, (can fit about 500ish shotgun shells) and the box was only $10. Got many .50 cal cans for $5 ea, all in good shape. Throw in some desiccant and your g2g.
I use the plastic 30 cal cheap cans for bulk loaded ar mag storage. It'll hold 8 mags and 2- 30 round boxes of 5.56. They stack nicely and don't have a bunch of weight in them so the lid doesn't try to bow when you pick it up. Long term storage ammo I put loose in a 30cal or 50cal can with the I.D. tag off of one box of ammo that way you know what it is. Current use ammo I keep in the factory box and stack them on end that way you can read the info from the box. It's not the most efficient way to store the ammo but its easy easier than having to dig clear to the bottom of a can looking for something specific. Reloading wise I use the mtm boxes for my specialty/performance ammo. Otherwise the bulk stuff gets tossed into a 30cal or 50 cal steel can with a load data tag.
Yes I have the same rounds from last year still in my truck all sealed up. They have been from -30 - 90 degrees and still look brand new! I'm going to fire some soon too see of there's any issues.
Magic Prepper wold be interesting to see. I definitely will do seal vacuum tomorrow morning! Even if I don’t store that ammo in my bug out bag, I will have it laying around in my ammo Cabinet.
If you’re going as far as sealing them with a silica packet, you can vacuum seal ammo already in a magazine or stripper clip to expedite judicious delivery of that sweet, hot lead.
Oh on ammo storage I found a plastic storage container with rubber gaskets that fit 60 9mm luger rounds each I use to store for reloading my 4 magazines that hold 15 rounds instead of the reloader type boxes you showed for my ammo im storing for future use and then I put those into a larger ammo can for kinda a double layer of sealing gaskets as always enjoyed the content
yea i finally got in some ammo i ordered 3 weeks ago before prices went nuts and everything started going out of stock n was putting it in 50 cal cans i realized id bought more ammo than would fit in the 5 empty cans i had but this is a good problem to have right now!!! i can get more cans!!!!
Hi I am new to guns and now that I have found ammo I need help storing the ammo. I am being told I need silica packs for the cans. I was told to make my own do not buy and I was wondering if you made that silver container yourself because I have not seen it sold anywhere and trust me I've been looking at every site, every magazine I can find for advise on how to store my gun and ammo. I did run out and get a plastic ammo can from Walmart I will admit but then I looked far and wide and found metal cans I believe in 50 size at Harbor Freight and it is solid and water proof. Now I'm hit with needing the silica and I looked on the web on how to make the packets and like everything else the videos are years old and different from each other so I don't know what to do. Lastly since I have both range ammo and defense ammo I cant mix them so they are still in their cardboard boxes in the ammo cans. What do you advise for a new gun owner trying to learn but so confused with all the videos and books out there. Thank you.
Ammo cans are amazing, they got way too expensive now though. I remember picking though stacks and they were $5. Many looked so rusted like they came out of a lake, then you pop it open and the inside looks absolutely perfect.
There are still a few people that sell them on E-Bay for a decent price. I am also finding that more and more companies provide brand new cans when selling ammo, or reloading supplies. Extreme Bullets is one company that does this. They sell bullets for reloading, and bulk orders are provided in ammo cans. Honestly, I am starting to trip over them.
I always used the steel cans because I like the sturdiness but hadn't considered that the flimsiness of the plastic ones could affect the seal. I bet it would be even worse stacking them up as you do with piles of ammo.
Brass contains no Iron, which means it will never rust/corrode. Primer cups are made of copper or soft brass. Which copper mixed with oxygen, it can oxidize over a period of time, which will form a green Patina, creating a protective layer from any type of form of corrosion from occurring. This video is a nice sales pitch, for waisting money. Save the money, and store ammo however you please. It will not rust over any period of time.
How long can you store the ammo? Does the powder change? I have 1000 rounds of weatherby 7 mm mag rounds I reloaded and the same on pistol ammo that I reloaded 30 years ago is it still good?
Does the silica have to be placed on bottom of can? Because it would be more convenient to place it on top so you can check the indicator occasionally.
Can anyone tell me why/how it's safe to leave ammo in a hot car in the humid summer months? I never understood why this is acceptable, considering that the humidity would be the opposite of "keeping your powder dry." I'm specifically referring to loaded guns left in glove compartments and center consoles, etc.
I have two of the taller 50 cal cans loaded with 9 mm hp and 45 hp. In 2016 my house flooded . I was unable to move them to high ground due to the fact that I was out of town.When I got home three days later I found out my ammo was bone dry. I can’t tell you how relieved I was due to the fact what I had in there was very expensive.
I use military surplus .50 cans. I have about 1300 rounds of 5.56 in stripper clips, wrapped in an old cotton tshirt. On top, inside the can,I put a moisture pack that has the little colored circles to tell you if it needs replaced. Have had one stored for 10 years and is fine. I check it about every 6 months to see if it needs a new moisture pack.
My personal favorite for bulk, long-term that I have seen used was for instance 500 rounds of 5.56 with a 30 cal can what they did was they dumped the ammo in it then what they did was used dry ice, which when sublimates displaces all the oxygen in the can with CO2 which means there was no oxygen in the can since CO2 is heavier than air so it’s going to stay in the can unless there is a hole in the bottom or you tip it over sideways and the seal breaks then throw a moisture absorbent in the top to catch any residual moisture for what very little oxygen is left in the can
A good tip is to store in quantities that will end up every fitting your mags so you don’t end up having a few loose rounds left from a stash that can easily get lost
I was going to get a bunch of the plastic cans for my ammo. But after seeing this video I went out and bought 12-50 cal ammo cans from Cabellas. I filled all of them with my ammo, placed a few desiccant packs inside, and put stickers on the outside that show me the caliber of ammo. Yes I know they were made in China. I live out in the country and could not find the military ones. They are well made, great seals, and will serve me well for years.
I'm far from an expert but due to whatever excuses are around it is 8/2020 and ammo is up in price about 50% and on top of that hard to find. In some places you can buy one box and they throw in a partially used roll of toilet paper. I've gotten back into shooting after a long time. I have discovered 5 boxes of 50 22s. A guess as far as I recall they were purchased 17 years ago. They have always been stored inside always, heated but in the last 7 years AC. Inflation? Several boxes have store price labels on them at ninety-nine cents. To my surprise, they work fine in my semi auto pistol.
I grabbed one of the cheap plastic cans at harbor freight just because I was there n it was cheap. The locking mechanism broke after about 3 or 4 times opening it so now it’s my cleaning kit box and zip tied through the hole meant for a small lock and whenever I need my cleaning stuff I just cut the zip tie lol. Definitely go with steel military ammo boxes which are more durable and stack really well.
You can also wipe down the rims of your can and lids with WD-40. The “WD” stands for Water Displacement and even though most ppl use it for lube purposes, it’s a superb moisture repellent. Only a thin dry film is necessary for long term indoor storage especially in metal cans. 👍. These strategies are for storing ammo for your grandkids. If you think you are going to shoot it, plop the factory boxes in a decent sealed ammo can and store it off the floor to prevent water exposure from flooding/leaking, etc. I shot my grandfather’s .32 ACP with his 1950’s ammo still in factory boxes stashed in an Ohio basement until I shot it in the late 1980’s. Worked great.
Wow, I've just been storing my ammo in the original boxes, stored inside clear, plastic shoe boxes, stuffed with silica packets. Guess I'll have to rethink that and graduate to an ammo can.
I just ordered a bulk amount of ammo. It shipped in the manufacturer cardboard boxes (20rds/ea). They then wrapped them in plastic wrap. Do you recommend leaving them in the plastic wrap or removing it? I have them in a 50 Cal metal ammo can.
I would remove it for one reason. The plastic traps any moisture that might be in the cardboard or boxes and doesn't allow for the dissipation you would want if there was moisture. When I receive bananas from my distributor, they come with plastic wrapped around the bunches. If you leave the plastic in the box the bananas will go bad 2x as fast! Just my analogy and reasoning as to why.
Ever use Zcorr bags? Anti corrosion vapor bags? I use them in some of my 50 cal cans. Suburban Sentinel has a thorough review on them. They seem to work well, especially for steel case ammo.
Magic Prepper I use them as Ammo can liners because they are quite large, and they are made to fit the .50 cal cans. For example I have two cans of 7.62x39 with about 800 rounds each, both in ZCorr bags. One loose (corrosive surplus M67) and the other in factory boxes (non corrosive various types of steel case). I have not seen any corrosion on anything, been about 6 years. I also keep some silica gel in the cans too, under the bags. Here is a link to suburban sentinel’s review: ua-cam.com/video/dWplfcwW6x4/v-deo.html
@@Nattleby I will check it out! And that seems like a good upgrade. I hate corrosion even if it doesn't effect functionality. Just makes me feel like I failed my ammo haha
I do keep each type of ammo in military cans with OC absorbers all contained in ziplock bags for extra protection. I store them in a non working refrigerator. I have not had a problem as of yet. I have ammo stored for years and it shows no signs of degrading! I hope this helps out the people storing their ammo. One day you may need mine or I may need yours. As Americans we are all in this together. We fight till we die!!!!!
If you don’t have silica packets, at the bare min put cardboard in the ammo box. Cardboard absorbed moisture. The humidity moisture has to go somewhere... better the cardboard than the powder in the cartridge.
You can make your own silica packs. Go to a pet supply store look for the pure silica cat litter with no dye, and no chemicals, or coloring. Get some deposible drip coffee filters. Put some silica litter in the coffee filter staple,or tape shut. You have silica pack. Learned about this awhile back.
@@MagicPrepper used to have a flea market near me. They closed it down to build a damn Amazon warehouse. Anyways, that's where I could find most of those cans. Basically brand new, too. Still have other guys that sell them cheap though.
Step 1 put ammo in can
Step 2 close can
Step three put can in an appropriate location
Optional desiccant packet may be applied after every bag of tactical beef jerky consumed
You're absolutely right, but its best to use new desiccant packs that change color when saturated, they're cheap. Often times the packs that come in jerky and other packages are already saturated and there's no way to tell.
@@petergriffin383 very true and you can make you own as well with the cat litter desiccant and that will change color and if god forbid you ever need to dry it out more just bake in the oven at low tow 150-200 for about an hour
pretty sure you just boil the packet and can reuse but research that before trying pls
I have the metal 50 caliber cans ( but not the military) , I got them from tractor supply some for $4 years ago and now $10. I have the cardboard box inside them and they are not opened in a long time. The room is climate controlled.
Leave in OG cardboard box or dump em out?
Only thing im torn on and can't find solid info on
I keep my ammo in the cardboard boxes they come with and I store them in metal cans with 40 gram silica packs. I have over 10k rounds and I've been doing this for about 5 years now. All of my ammo remain new like the day I bought them. I think cardboard only becomes an issue if you don't store them properly. Thanks for the informative video.
That sounds correct to me! If you properly take care of what the cardboard is stored in it should be fine. I just prefer not to because of that slight chance for moisture contamination. But you're right, when you do it correctly it shouldn't be an issue.
YES!!! Keep your ammo in original boxes, inside .30 cal or .50 cal cans. NOT PLASTIC AMMO CANS. THOSE ARE PERMEABLE! Use a hand-warmer or O2 absorber. Those absorb oxygen and moisture, because they contain iron. The original boxes, as long as they aren't moist, will protect the ammo!!!
@@RockHudrock wow thanks for the hand warmer tip. I've been only using the silica packs by itself so far.
@@RockHudrock If you don't mind me asking what is hand warmer or O2 absorber? Are you talking the silica gel packs I was told to make not buy? Thank you
@@dam1120 An O_2 absorber will absorb oxygen (obvs). Silica gel absorbs water vapor (humidity). Two different approaches to minimizing corrosion.
My suggestion for storing ammo: Do not have them haul off your old freezer or refrigerator. Cut off the cord (after unplugging it), and use it to store your ammo. Add a couple of hinges and padlocks and you have an insulated metal ammo storage locker for almost free.
Think ima do that i got an extra frig was wondering what to do with
Awesome idea!
Idiot advice. Because what if when you are drunk or stoned you open the wrong fridge? i want snacks when i’m drunk or high not a fridge full of 45 acp
@@lispendens
Put a drawing of bullets and food on the refrigerator doors.
Don't eat your bullets.
@@oneshothunter9877 That’s a smart idea. Thanks
If you are storing loose ammo in a box, you can take the part of the cardboard packaging with all the ammo information on it and put it on top of the pile like a business card, then close the lid. You will not have to wonder what exact type of ammo are in there.
I do that and it works great for me. Plus keeps prying eyes out of your bizness!
A little piece of duct tape and a sharpie also works lol
Good idea
I have a box of .32 that is dated 1942 (for Walther PPK). Still works great... just keep it in the original box inside my gun safe.
Yeah, people overthink ammo storage...it's not dynamite.. I have ammo I bought in 1975 that is stored in the original boxes and then stored in a larger boxes in my closets. They shoot just fine and the chrono speed is very close to those advertised on the box. Just store it in a cool dry place in a low humidity environment and you'll be fine.
Keep a SPREADSHEET with your ammo purchases so that you know
How much you have, HOW OLD, WHAT CALIBERS, TYPE (FMJ, HP). So that you can rotate your ammo.
@Bob Sullivan Oh I like this idea. I'm so anal it would work perfectly for me. I drive my daughter nuts with all my spreadsheets and such. Thank you.
Very helpful.
Great idea
Or, uses different cans for different ammo, write the date purchased on the box and put it in the appropriate can. I also use a marker to label the top, both ends and both sides of the can with grain weight since I only have 9mm.
I like the spread sheet idea but I’d never keep it up to date. For me, ammo cans are a visual representation of what I have.
I like some folks, I can’t afford thousands of rounds when I buy ammo and I shoot too much to ever have much over a couple thousand rounds.
Metal ammo can as shown is my choice with ammo in original boxes. I also put in an Eva-dry moisture eliminator packets (1 half pound packet per can). I also put Vaseline on the o-ring to protect it from drying out and to improve the seal.
Good idea... but Vaseline is petroleum based... petroleum products degrade rubber... use either silicone spray or 100% silicone grease
Yeah silicone would be preferable over anything with petrol
Use a cup of rice if you don't have silica absorber. Rice draws moisture from salt to keep salt dry.... just saying..
100% right. I use 1 cup of rice in an old nylon sock spread it flat in my ammo can and pile it in. I also like to use ammo bags even zip lock bags of 50 rounds. that way I know how much ammo is in the can. I also put a pencil and paper in the can with caliber and amount. That way as you use it you know what you have.
100% right that's why they put a wet cell phone in rice to draw the moisture out. I do the same for my electronic gear stored in ammo cans as well. Oh a side note lol. Wrapping electronics in heavy aluminum foil and taped close even protects against lets say an EMP?
Roy Stevens I just keep my ammo in the cats litter box. Keeps her bone dry. The only sucky part is digging it out. “ ammo, ammo, not ammo, ammo....”
Actually seriously if you get the pure crystal cat litter that they sell, I forgot what the brand is, It’s pure silica gel and you can make your own dessicants.
Pine shavings wrapped in cheesecloth and tossed in the can work great.
Watching your channel grow over the years has been a real treat. One of my favorite things to do is toss on some of your older content while I’m tinkering around the shop.
This answered all my questions. Thank you!
As long as ammo is cool and dry 50 years + storage is no problem.
I use military ammo cans and i seal the ammo packs in vacum bags.
Excellent information that addresses all the issues. Thanks you!
great info!!! i build aluminum signs and had a bunch of scrap laying around and made some boxes to fit the plastic shell holders and got rid or the cardboard boxes they stack neatly into a 50 cal can!! i really out did myself on this one lol works great for reloading to!!
This is the first video of yours I've seen, good breakdown!
First, I'm going to say, the ammo in that Remington box is only tarnished (that's not corrosion) and really not even that badly tarnished. While speaking about tarnish, ever cartridge you've touched with you bare hands, is going to tarnish over time too. Again, that isn't going to hurt the ammo at all, but if you are worried about tarnished ammo, the body oils on your hands is going to cause tarnish. Honestly, the best option is the surplus ammo cans. I've been storing for years and only use surplus ammo cans. Nothing I've seen stacks better. You can take it a step further, by using zip-loc bags. I recommend freezer zip-loc bags as they are heavier duty. I store in equal predetermined amounts, with a desiccant pack in each bag. Then I stack them in the ammo cans, so they work like battle packs or range bags. Just grab the number of bags you intend to shoot at the range. I do not wear gloves when bagging and canning ammo, because being a military vet, tarnished ammo does not bother me at all and its going to take a long time before you even notice the tarnishing caused by your skin oils. Some people will freak out about handling ammo without gloves, but hey, if they want to be that anal about it, more power to them.
I wear gloves when loading mags to eliminate "prints".
I'm an old Grunt and learned a long time ago that tarnish doesn't equal bad.
Very helpful video. I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge. What I allways do is every time I go to range for a little RnR. I shoot my old ammo and replace it with new ammo.
Your sub count is growing quick. Appreciate your hard work.
Excellent video! Tip: You would be surprised at how many different pistol rounds fit on 5.56 stripper clips. It makes it easy to store extra ammo in places like under the foam in a pistol case. 9mm, .380, 9x18, 7.62 Tok, etc. I also vac seal rounds for my bug out bags. I had 7.62 Tokarev rounds vacuumed sealed in a bag in the trunk of my car for 2 years. Hot summers, cold winters.... it was perfect, no issues firing or corrosion.
Stripper clips do a good job of keeping it tidy that is true. I used to have a bunch before I sold my M1A. I didn't realize you could put pistol rounds in them but that is good to know. Yes I have rounds in my truck right now that have experienced -40 - 80 degrees and they still look pretty good. It's also very humid here in ND so they seem to be holding up well there too.
A warning about silica packs. They will draw the moisture out of the cartridges when sealed up with them. Not good, as powder comes from the factory with 40-50% humidity in single base, and 50-60% humidity in the double base powders. When the reloading manuals give a powder charge weight it is with the moisture include in the weight. So it is with the factory ammo as well. If one dries the powder out, the rounds will be hotter than originally planned. In maximum (especially +P and +P+) loads it can become dangerous. And yes moisture can seep into a loaded round, as well as back out again depending on the humidity level out side the cartridge if given a month or so, unless one seals the round with sealant. Hence it is best to store ammo, powder, and primers in a controlled environment of say 49-58% humidity. This can be done within the sealed ammo cans by putting a Boveda 49% or 58% Two-Way Humidity Control Pack. Or one could store them in a Cigar Humidor cabinet that is both Humidity and temperature controlled.
I personally stored my ammo in IP-65 rated boxes with silica packs in them, with Bluetooth temp and humidity monitors to boot. Within days the humidity levels were around 28%. Not good if left that way for extended amounts of time. I have since taken the packs out and replaced them with the two way humidity control packs. Now things are as should be.
chronoplotter.com/2021/08/19/how-does-humidity-affect-powder/
bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/09/tech-tip-humidity-can-change-powder-burn-rates/
ua-cam.com/video/pzDHRwi3QVk/v-deo.html
The absolute best way to store ammo for long term storage is vacuum sealing in the original box and placed in a quality O-ring ammo can. You and also store your rifles/hand guns with a gun sock and vacuum seal them. The sock will protect sharp edges from puncturing the seal. I've been doing this since 2010. Open a can, take a box or two, looks and performs the same way as I stored them 10 years ago. ** side note ** Make sure your firearms are lubricated prior to sealing.
Good to know! And what type of ammunition do you usually store? Anything in particular? Or is it just whatever you happen to decide to buy? I wish I could just stock up on nickel plated cartridges but, it's not financially friendly.
I go by the 2000 round + per rifle ratio. I loaded up on every rifle I own. Also, magazines, stripper clips and cartridge belts . Plenty of magazines, stripper clips and cartridge belts. If you can't feed them, they are a club. With the exception of military surplus. Most are fitted with bayonets. Then you have a spear. Never go code black.
I sealed ammo in double-sealed food saver bags inside ammo cans with rice about 8-10 years ago when I first started prepping. Almost all the bags were no longer sealed when I inventoried this year. I don't know if it's the seal or the plastic, but they didn't stay vacuum packed over the long haul. I realized it was just reducing the number of rounds that fit in a can by half or more, so I've abandoned the practice and just store in ammo cans with dessicant packets or loose rice. But I agree that it has its utility to store extra ammo in the field, especially if you expect to be exposed to the weather.
You need bone guard sheets
Very hard to beat a clean well kept .50 cal can with a couple medium silica bead bags in it .. have stuff 10 years old here in the desert .. Scott
Great info and tips for ammo storage....good vid 👍💪🙏🇺🇸
Hey much appreciated!
For really long term storage I use the 50 cal military boxes. When read to store bulk ammo I use dry nitrogen forced into van as I shut it. This displaces the oxygen out. Mind you I use pressure dry nitrogen using an AC charging hose. This has worked great for years on end. As long as you don’t open the can.
I always use military ammo cans. I also use zip lock bags inside the cans. I mark the bags with the total amount and anything else that's useful. Seems to work for me.
Robert E I have done the same , zip lock bags inside ammo can
But if there would be moisture in those zip lock bags, wouldn’t that age the ammo more quickly?
@@ricksmith7232 desiccant packs inside zip lock bag
This is exactly what I did yesterday. I emptied all my little cardboard boxes of ammo into zip lock bags seperated by brand and caliber marked each bag then I put the smaller bags into a bigger zip lock bag and then into a plastic ammo can then stored them in a day cabinet.
The good videos just keep rolling. Keep of up!
One word of caution for the crowd: don’t assume WD40 is good for wiping down the ammo can. It’s literally worse than leaving it dry. It eats the brass coating off of shotgun shell bases and reacts to the seams on rifle rounds= green gunk reaction. I learned that one the hard way.
For a super cheap but darn good ammo can, its hard to beat a used 1 gallon paint can. I burn any old residual paint out, and give the whole thing a good coat of spray paint. Put two layers of zip lock bags in, fill them up. Resist the urge to silicone or caulk the lid- a dry fit is better. I’ve buried these (not with ammo) for several years continuously and not had them leak or rust through.
And finally, the one step up in size from the 50 cal can has a lid that completely removes, a latch at each end. Its about twice the capacity of a 50 cal. I just like them because the don’t tip backwards. And hold more :D. They are often priced at about .50 cal can prices.
Great advice and good feedback! I didn't go over many of the other options out there as I assume most people will just go out and buy some kind of storage can. However, the alternative methods like your paint can technique do work! Just like those capped off PVC pipes. Yes WD40 is harsher then most people realize. It's like Hoppes #9. It does a great job of cleaning but, it can eat the finish off of something if you let it. That's why I like the silicone cloths. They seem pretty mild.
WD 40 is garbage from the 70's or 80's
I think. I found a can of it that made it's way into my house, and I promptly put it where it belongs, in the trash.
I’ve seen military ammo cans rust btw. So don’t just bury them as is, or leave them out too long. But they are the shit
For any of you in the hvac industry (or know someone who is. .. you could simply tap the side of your container (that has o-rings at least) with a refrigeration valve fitting (making sure that it's properly sealed) and connect it to your vacuum pump over night. That should keep ammo bone dry for a long time. As long as your seals hold up.
Great video you got me thinking. ...
Please tell us more
i doubt most ammo cans are going to that tight of a seal and if you could remove air it could mess with sealed bullets which have air pressure inside
The 40mm ammo cans are my favorites. Holds a lot and stacks well. .50 or .30 cans for going to the range
Ammo can size is subjective, same with water cans. Many people don't consider the overall weight of the item and who might be carrying them. If you're significant other, persons in your party, or you have younger / older persons, in a SHTF situation, you may need to move and need to consider the weight they can carry comfortably... Last thing I want is to be the only one loading up a vehicle cause everything is too heavy for others to handle.
Interesting video, but some corrections.:
The rubber seal around the top is not an “o-ring”, it’s a gasket. Two very different animals.
Silica and oxygen absorbers do not cancel each other. Silica absorbs moisture, oxygen absorbers obviously absorb oxygen. The latter has nothing to do with moisture and is typically used to prolong the life of food and some drugs. No benefit for ammo storage.
Great tips , thanks for sharing, God bless !
Thanks Michael! Always appreciate you!
I think something like this is more important if you have a very large supply, or you are caching it somewhere. For a lot of people like me, just leaving it in the box (though I put the boxes in cans) and shooting the old stuff first works just fine. Ammunition which isn't even taken care of will last for decades, it's pretty stable stuff.
I agree that it can definitely last. And ammo is pretty resilient. You are right though about having a larger than average supply. It does require additional storage measures. It really is surprising how those old world war I rounds will still go off when they find old stockpiles!
@John Smith How does one afford 10k plus? I cant even get 1k 9mm they want like $50-$65 a box that is nuts! My dream is to have 1k of 9mm range practice and 1k of .38 special in my home but it wont happen at this rate.
@@dam1120 I just keep a watch on gunbroker . com and monitor auctions. Every once in a while you'll find a "deal".
@@dam1120 Most reloaders who shoot frequently keep 1000’s of rounds stored for long term. The cans are great for new brass, powder and primer storage. I myself keep 5000 rounds for each cartridge I shoot/reload and also 2000 pcs of new/once fired brass. A minimum of 20#’s of propellant is my low water mark.
If you don’t reload or shoot 1000 rnds a month, be patient and wait for deals. If you do shoot that much, I’d highly recommend reloading. The only rounds I don’t reload are 12ga shells. YMMV. 👍
@@dam1120 Most people accumulate that amount over years or stocked up before all the ammo crazes going on. Buy a box or two of ammo a pay and put it back, 1000 rounds will come pretty quickly. Also hit up local stores as well as look online you’ll run into deals on bulk stuff every once and awhile
Great tips, thank you. Tine to start storing properly
I acquired several boxes of .45 ball from WWII. They’re still good to go.
How do you store the rice? Do you just throw it all over the ammo boxes? Thank you
I use plastic boxes from Harbor Freight, silica packs mostly from medicine, write the purchase date on the box with a marker
Loved this video! I myself use strictly ammo cans without any type of desiccant but that is only because I store my ammo in the location I live which is literally the desert. I "keep it organized" via per ammo can itself with some quick writing on tape dump in the rounds and lock it up in my safe that is already temp/humidity controlled. Awesome video though!
As long as its kept dry, it'll be fine...I keep mine in GI ammo boxes..I pack myb reloads is freezer Ziploc bags in quantities of 100 ea in the ammo cans...I've kept them in my garage..in So FL with absolutely no problems...I've got large quantities of old milsurp ammo from my days as a collector of C&R in their original crates...the ammo and crates were designed for long term storage...
Cardboard isn't as bad as most people think. It is much better than using silicone packets, actually. Cardboard absorbs humidity extremely well while dispersing the moisture through the box folds. It really only becomes a problem when stored in air-tight boxes and that is only an issue if moisture can get into those containers. I still have about 700 rounds of XM193 from 1997 still left that I am finally going through and they have been sitting in a closet since 2003. Brass will oxidize regardless of the cardboard. Oxygen will do that. I have thousands of rounds lose in cans, while others are vacuum sealed, and thousands more in the original boxes and all shoot the same. The trick is to keep them in a dry and cool environment. That is really the only rule of thumb needed for long-term storage. Good video, though. Just earned another sub.
Hey thank you i appreciate it!
Love the rationale for your guidance. Personally like the silica more too, especially because the silica beads can be "recharged" by microwaving!
you need to bake them in a dry oven preferably electric for long slow heat to dry them back out and recharge them not microwaving
Although I have a couple plastic cans, I use mostly metal 50cal cans (65%) and 30cal cans (30%). I store in the mfg boxes and fill as full as I can with the same caliber (except for a couple working/range cans that have mixed caliber). I use several desiccant packets right on top so they are accessible for recharging (in oven). Whatever the volume the desiccant packets are rated for, I use about 5x that amount of packets. I bought hundreds on Amazon. (Note - some are not rechargeable and melt in the oven so find the good ones and buy them in bulk). When it's time (2-3 years) for new packets, I dry replacements packets (recharge) in the oven first, then remove and replace the packets all in one shot. At that time I dry the old packets and store them in an extra 30 cal box. I always dry the packets before they go in with ammo.
Years ago I got a good deal on plastic boxes (about 30% bigger than 50cal cans). Most of those I now use for tools, parts, med kits, range box, etc. They have a good gasket but if I fill them with ammo, they are too heavy which also makes them flex too much.
Note - If you are near a military base, you might be able to get slighly used metal cans after they've been emptied at the range. I hooked up with a Marine that collected the used cans and sold them for $4 each.
The best tip is to not touch the brass or copper bullet without gloves. Sweat is a mix of moisture and salt and will corrode your ammo.
That is true. If you want to be really careful gloves would definitely help. Thanks for the tip!
@@MagicPrepper Also apply white Vaseline on the rubber seal and your ammo in the 50 cal can will last forever.
@@Valery_plays I've heard a lot of people say that petroleum based lubricants like motor oil or petroleum jelly should not be used on rubber because it will damage the rubber and that silicone is a better lubricant.
@@munsters2 Yes that is correct. I did get some water and petroleum free paste. Anything organic will bee fine.
@@Valery_plays OK.
when looking for ammo cans, take a dollar bill close the lid on it, half in half out, and it you can pull that bill freely or with very little resistance, look for a different can. if you cant move the bill or if it pulls hard, you have a can with a good seal. i get strange looks from people when im testing the seal and gotten questions so i shared my thoughts. sure, the oring is there and sure theres the latch BUT the bill shows if the can or lid is warped affecting the seal.
my 2 pennies.
Great information. Thank you.
I personally use .50 cal metal storage cans. I keep the ammunition in its factory cardboard box plus add desiccant pellets in organza bags. I have used that method for 35 years and I still have serviceable ammo from 35 years ago. I use desiccant that changes color when saturated.
Good presentation & informative.
I would totally use that vacuum sealed pack method but with LOADED magazines. Tear it open, load the mag, easy day!
Look up "shooting vintage ammunition ' on Y/T. 100 to 150 years old improperly stored ammo shoots just fine
If you live in a area that has gun shows, you can typically find old surplus ammo cans for real cheap. I got some old military 30mm mortar cans for my shotgun ammo, (can fit about 500ish shotgun shells) and the box was only $10. Got many .50 cal cans for $5 ea, all in good shape. Throw in some desiccant and your g2g.
Mine is in the mtm cases in the army cans. Works well
When the plastic el cheapo ammo cans are filled with 9mm the lids will also bend/gap out enough to loose rounds while walking. Ask me how I know....
I use the plastic 30 cal cheap cans for bulk loaded ar mag storage. It'll hold 8 mags and 2- 30 round boxes of 5.56. They stack nicely and don't have a bunch of weight in them so the lid doesn't try to bow when you pick it up.
Long term storage ammo I put loose in a 30cal or 50cal can with the I.D. tag off of one box of ammo that way you know what it is.
Current use ammo I keep in the factory box and stack them on end that way you can read the info from the box. It's not the most efficient way to store the ammo but its easy easier than having to dig clear to the bottom of a can looking for something specific.
Reloading wise I use the mtm boxes for my specialty/performance ammo. Otherwise the bulk stuff gets tossed into a 30cal or 50 cal steel can with a load data tag.
really like the seal ammo bag you got going for vehicle, that would be great idea for bug-out bag idea.
Yes I have the same rounds from last year still in my truck all sealed up. They have been from -30 - 90 degrees and still look brand new! I'm going to fire some soon too see of there's any issues.
Magic Prepper wold be interesting to see. I definitely will do seal vacuum tomorrow morning! Even if I don’t store that ammo in my bug out bag, I will have it laying around in my ammo Cabinet.
If you’re going as far as sealing them with a silica packet, you can vacuum seal ammo already in a magazine or stripper clip to expedite judicious delivery of that sweet, hot lead.
Oh man I just knew you were breaking out the oxygen absorbers and the vacuum sealer 😃 👍
hahah you know me too well....
The vacuum seal is a good idea. I’m thinking of sealing a full magazine or two and keep in the car. 👍🏼👍🏼
Oh on ammo storage I found a plastic storage container with rubber gaskets that fit 60 9mm luger rounds each I use to store for reloading my 4 magazines that hold 15 rounds instead of the reloader type boxes you showed for my ammo im storing for future use and then I put those into a larger ammo can for kinda a double layer of sealing gaskets as always enjoyed the content
Hey John, what kind of containers were those?
Collection of ammo cans makes a good time.
Doesn't it though? I love me a good ammo can.
yea i finally got in some ammo i ordered 3 weeks ago before prices went nuts and everything started going out of stock n was putting it in 50 cal cans i realized id bought more ammo than would fit in the 5 empty cans i had but this is a good problem to have right now!!! i can get more cans!!!!
Hi I am new to guns and now that I have found ammo I need help storing the ammo. I am being told I need silica packs for the cans. I was told to make my own do not buy and I was wondering if you made that silver container yourself because I have not seen it sold anywhere and trust me I've been looking at every site, every magazine I can find for advise on how to store my gun and ammo. I did run out and get a plastic ammo can from Walmart I will admit but then I looked far and wide and found metal cans I believe in 50 size at Harbor Freight and it is solid and water proof. Now I'm hit with needing the silica and I looked on the web on how to make the packets and like everything else the videos are years old and different from each other so I don't know what to do. Lastly since I have both range ammo and defense ammo I cant mix them so they are still in their cardboard boxes in the ammo cans. What do you advise for a new gun owner trying to learn but so confused with all the videos and books out there. Thank you.
Ammo cans are amazing, they got way too expensive now though. I remember picking though stacks and they were $5. Many looked so rusted like they came out of a lake, then you pop it open and the inside looks absolutely perfect.
There are still a few people that sell them on E-Bay for a decent price. I am also finding that more and more companies provide brand new cans when selling ammo, or reloading supplies. Extreme Bullets is one company that does this. They sell bullets for reloading, and bulk orders are provided in ammo cans. Honestly, I am starting to trip over them.
THAT BEING SAID.....GOOD VIDEO
Hahaha you got me! The video I just posted is full of "that being said". It's like quitting a bad habit!
I always used the steel cans because I like the sturdiness but hadn't considered that the flimsiness of the plastic ones could affect the seal. I bet it would be even worse stacking them up as you do with piles of ammo.
Vacuum sealing, great idea. Never thought to do that.
Brass contains no Iron, which means it will never rust/corrode. Primer cups are made of copper or soft brass. Which copper mixed with oxygen, it can oxidize over a period of time, which will form a green Patina, creating a protective layer from any type of form of corrosion from occurring. This video is a nice sales pitch, for waisting money. Save the money, and store ammo however you please. It will not rust over any period of time.
Excellent content
I use Pelican boxes. Clear tops to see what is inside. Seals well.
Excellent video
How long can you store the ammo? Does the powder change? I have 1000 rounds of weatherby 7 mm mag rounds I reloaded and the same on pistol ammo that I reloaded 30 years ago is it still good?
Does the silica have to be placed on bottom of can? Because it would be more convenient to place it on top so you can check the indicator occasionally.
Metal cans and vac-sealing bags are both excellent methods.
Can anyone tell me why/how it's safe to leave ammo in a hot car in the humid summer months? I never understood why this is acceptable, considering that the humidity would be the opposite of "keeping your powder dry." I'm specifically referring to loaded guns left in glove compartments and center consoles, etc.
Dam, your made good video for a 5000 subcriber youtuber. I subcribe right now. I like new youtubers.
Well hey I appreciate that! I am always trying to improve the quality of the content so hopefully I can keep it goin!
Great video
Nice video Magic
Thank you.
great video
I have two of the taller 50 cal cans loaded with 9 mm hp and 45 hp. In 2016 my house flooded . I was unable to move them to high ground due to the fact that I was out of town.When I got home three days later I found out my ammo was bone dry. I can’t tell you how relieved I was due to the fact what I had in there was very expensive.
I use military surplus .50 cans. I have about 1300 rounds of 5.56 in stripper clips, wrapped in an old cotton tshirt. On top, inside the can,I put a moisture pack that has the little colored circles to tell you if it needs replaced. Have had one stored for 10 years and is fine. I check it about every 6 months to see if it needs a new moisture pack.
My personal favorite for bulk, long-term that I have seen used was for instance 500 rounds of 5.56 with a 30 cal can what they did was they dumped the ammo in it then what they did was used dry ice, which when sublimates displaces all the oxygen in the can with CO2 which means there was no oxygen in the can since CO2 is heavier than air so it’s going to stay in the can unless there is a hole in the bottom or you tip it over sideways and the seal breaks then throw a moisture absorbent in the top to catch any residual moisture for what very little oxygen is left in the can
A good tip is to store in quantities that will end up every fitting your mags so you don’t end up having a few loose rounds left from a stash that can easily get lost
This is true. Saves space and time in case you need to fill those mags back up.
Ive come to realize the fact that the thing i love about guns is the ammo variety, ammo is store, ammo i never shoot
This guy is part of the ammo shortage problem.
I was going to get a bunch of the plastic cans for my ammo. But after seeing this video I went out and bought 12-50 cal ammo cans from Cabellas. I filled all of them with my ammo, placed a few desiccant packs inside, and put stickers on the outside that show me the caliber of ammo. Yes I know they were made in China. I live out in the country and could not find the military ones. They are well made, great seals, and will serve me well for years.
silicone grease on lid rubber seal will keep it in good shape and is waterproof. you can use it on hinge and latch also
Is it ok to mix different ammo brands but same caliber?
Nice video Steve
Thank you!
I'm far from an expert but due to whatever excuses are around it is 8/2020 and ammo is up in price about 50% and on top of that hard to find. In some places you can buy one box and they throw in a partially used roll of toilet paper. I've gotten back into shooting after a long time. I have discovered 5 boxes of 50 22s. A guess as far as I recall they were purchased 17 years ago. They have always been stored inside always, heated but in the last 7 years AC. Inflation? Several boxes have store price labels on them at ninety-nine cents. To my surprise, they work fine in my semi auto pistol.
I grabbed one of the cheap plastic cans at harbor freight just because I was there n it was cheap. The locking mechanism broke after about 3 or 4 times opening it so now it’s my cleaning kit box and zip tied through the hole meant for a small lock and whenever I need my cleaning stuff I just cut the zip tie lol. Definitely go with steel military ammo boxes which are more durable and stack really well.
You can also wipe down the rims of your can and lids with WD-40. The “WD” stands for Water Displacement and even though most ppl use it for lube purposes, it’s a superb moisture repellent. Only a thin dry film is necessary for long term indoor storage especially in metal cans. 👍. These strategies are for storing ammo for your grandkids. If you think you are going to shoot it, plop the factory boxes in a decent sealed ammo can and store it off the floor to prevent water exposure from flooding/leaking, etc. I shot my grandfather’s .32 ACP with his 1950’s ammo still in factory boxes stashed in an Ohio basement until I shot it in the late 1980’s. Worked great.
Wow, I've just been storing my ammo in the original boxes, stored inside clear, plastic shoe boxes, stuffed with silica packets. Guess I'll have to rethink that and graduate to an ammo can.
I just ordered a bulk amount of ammo. It shipped in the manufacturer cardboard boxes (20rds/ea). They then wrapped them in plastic wrap. Do you recommend leaving them in the plastic wrap or removing it? I have them in a 50 Cal metal ammo can.
I would remove it for one reason. The plastic traps any moisture that might be in the cardboard or boxes and doesn't allow for the dissipation you would want if there was moisture. When I receive bananas from my distributor, they come with plastic wrapped around the bunches. If you leave the plastic in the box the bananas will go bad 2x as fast! Just my analogy and reasoning as to why.
Ever use Zcorr bags? Anti corrosion vapor bags? I use them in some of my 50 cal cans. Suburban Sentinel has a thorough review on them. They seem to work well, especially for steel case ammo.
I have seen those and they look functional. Are you using them to separate different types of ammo? Or just a liner in the can?
Magic Prepper I use them as Ammo can liners because they are quite large, and they are made to fit the .50 cal cans. For example I have two cans of 7.62x39 with about 800 rounds each, both in ZCorr bags. One loose (corrosive surplus M67) and the other in factory boxes (non corrosive various types of steel case). I have not seen any corrosion on anything, been about 6 years. I also keep some silica gel in the cans too, under the bags. Here is a link to suburban sentinel’s review: ua-cam.com/video/dWplfcwW6x4/v-deo.html
@@Nattleby I will check it out! And that seems like a good upgrade. I hate corrosion even if it doesn't effect functionality. Just makes me feel like I failed my ammo haha
I do keep each type of ammo in military cans with OC absorbers all contained in ziplock bags for extra protection. I store them in a non working refrigerator. I have not had a problem as of yet. I have ammo stored for years and it shows no signs of degrading! I hope this helps out the people storing their ammo. One day you may need mine or I may need yours. As Americans we are all in this together. We fight till we die!!!!!
If you don’t have silica packets, at the bare min put cardboard in the ammo box. Cardboard absorbed moisture. The humidity moisture has to go somewhere... better the cardboard than the powder in the cartridge.
Love the videos.. I have one request tho. Can you iron your flags please?
Steam them :-D works great
You can make your own silica packs. Go to a pet supply store look for the pure silica cat litter with no dye, and no chemicals, or coloring. Get some deposible drip coffee filters. Put some silica litter in the coffee filter staple,or tape shut. You have silica pack. Learned about this awhile back.
I can usually pick up those military ammo cans for 8-10 bucks. good deal.
Yea there is a guy near me who has a bunch of surplus stuff. I am going to approach him on a bulk buy and see what he is down for.
@@MagicPrepper used to have a flea market near me. They closed it down to build a damn Amazon warehouse. Anyways, that's where I could find most of those cans. Basically brand new, too. Still have other guys that sell them cheap though.
The mtm ammo can is it the medium or small version?
You can get silica at pet shop (car litter ) in large quantities.
Mylar bags sealed up with desiccant packs . I use a hair straightener to seal them the use a sharpie to label them
You can put silicone on the plastic reload boxes to seal them from the moisture. Not perfect but better than nothing.
Can you keep your rounds in a bunch of mags and use the same technique using the ammo can and silica with a good result?