I found some of those plastic ammo crates for a decent deal $16 and says it holds about 2k 9mm in the 50packs. I'm wondering how well these hold up? Just looking for something to keep them all in one area. Right now I've got several ammo cans but kind of a pain having all them sitting around.
anyone use ammo crate?
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Hokie_PhD
Member
I have several of the MTM ammo crates. I have both the deep ones and the shallow ones. I actually like the shallow ones better.
They seem to be well made and survived our move. Now I don't abuse them and most of the time they're on the shelf. Otherwise, they go from the shelf to the bench and back.
That said, I know that some folks use them to keep gear in their trucks or car trunks, so they must be fairly sturdy.
They seem to be well made and survived our move. Now I don't abuse them and most of the time they're on the shelf. Otherwise, they go from the shelf to the bench and back.
That said, I know that some folks use them to keep gear in their trucks or car trunks, so they must be fairly sturdy.
BSA1
member
They seem like a good quality product until the first time you drop one loaded with loose ammunition onto a concrete floor or concrete slab such as at the shooting range. 
The good news is all of the exercise bending over picking up loose rounds scattered all over the ground is good for your heart.
30 caliber metal USGI surplus can will hold 1,000 loose rounds of 9mm and 20 25 round boxes (500 rounds) of 9mm which is really all of the weight I like to carry up the stairs from the man cave and load in the truck for a range trip.
50 caliber USGI ammo cans are useful for packing miscellaneous gear to the range and for long term storage in the mancave.
I usually buy a couple of ammo cans a couple times a year at gunshows. Last gunshow I paid $9.00 for a new 30 caliber and $10.00 for a 50 caliber in excellent condition.
The good news is all of the exercise bending over picking up loose rounds scattered all over the ground is good for your heart.
30 caliber metal USGI surplus can will hold 1,000 loose rounds of 9mm and 20 25 round boxes (500 rounds) of 9mm which is really all of the weight I like to carry up the stairs from the man cave and load in the truck for a range trip.
50 caliber USGI ammo cans are useful for packing miscellaneous gear to the range and for long term storage in the mancave.
I usually buy a couple of ammo cans a couple times a year at gunshows. Last gunshow I paid $9.00 for a new 30 caliber and $10.00 for a 50 caliber in excellent condition.
I did that with a brand new plastic 100rd reload box. Dropped it and shattered and i said yep, there goes $5! I cant seem to find cheap ammo cans. everyone wants $20+ for them. I did find some at RK for $10 but made in china. I try and support USA as much as possible if its within $5 but looks like i might have to go to RK.They seem like a good quality product until the first time you drop one loaded with loose ammunition onto a concrete floor or concrete slab such as at the shooting range.
The good news is all of the exercise bending over picking up loose rounds scattered all over the ground is good for your heart.
30 caliber metal USGI surplus can will hold 1,000 loose rounds of 9mm and 20 25 round boxes (500 rounds) of 9mm which is really all of the weight I like to carry up the stairs from the man cave and load in the truck for a range trip.
50 caliber USGI ammo cans are useful for packing miscellaneous gear to the range and for long term storage in the mancave.
I usually buy a couple of ammo cans a couple times a year at gunshows. Last gunshow I paid $9.00 for a new 30 caliber and $10.00 for a 50 caliber in excellent condition.
mcb
Member
For storage I like the 20mm/40mm ammo cans (M548). The smaller 30 cal and 50 cal can seem too heavy for all the more room inside. You can get 2500 rds of 40S&W in boxes in there and over 10,000 Federal primers in their bulky trays in the big 20mm cans. It's about all I can do the lift it full of 40S&W but it is not for moving just storing. I have a bunch of cans one for primers and the others for various calibers that I use a lot of, 5.56x45, various shotgun ammo for 3-gun matches etc.
For pistol ammunition that I reload it all goes into 100rd plastic boxes before it goes into the larger storage cans. I like the 100rd boxes for convenient storage, labeling and as a last level of quality control. I mostly have an assortment of Dillon, MTM and Plano boxes depending on caliber and when I found a good deal.
For my range bag I have bullet bags from Bagmaster that will hold about 400-500 loose pistol rounds. A good amount for the a USPSA or IDPA club level match. For my moonclip fed revolvers it all goes on moonclips and into Plano tackle boxes before the match.
For pistol ammunition that I reload it all goes into 100rd plastic boxes before it goes into the larger storage cans. I like the 100rd boxes for convenient storage, labeling and as a last level of quality control. I mostly have an assortment of Dillon, MTM and Plano boxes depending on caliber and when I found a good deal.
For my range bag I have bullet bags from Bagmaster that will hold about 400-500 loose pistol rounds. A good amount for the a USPSA or IDPA club level match. For my moonclip fed revolvers it all goes on moonclips and into Plano tackle boxes before the match.
GunnyUSMC
Member
I have two or three of the smaller Plano plastic ammo cans, but don't care for them. I prefer military ammo cans.
Last year it flooded down here and most areas got three feet or more water that stayed for 3 to 4 days. Everyone I talked to that had plastic cans that went under water said they leaked and lost their ammo.
By the metal cans with good seals. You will be better off in the long run.
Last year it flooded down here and most areas got three feet or more water that stayed for 3 to 4 days. Everyone I talked to that had plastic cans that went under water said they leaked and lost their ammo.
By the metal cans with good seals. You will be better off in the long run.
Hokie_PhD
Member
The Ammo Crate shattering isn't a flaw with the box, but a limitation of the plastic. Plastics don't do well against concrete when dropped with a lot of force. I'm pretty sure they weren't designed to be dropped. Granted it would be nice if they were, but to me they're more for storing things not moving them much.
I'm starting to lean Gunny's direction and am planning on getting some metal ammo cans. I'll keep using the Ammo Crates for storing gun gear, reloading supplies, etc, but the ammo cans for actual ammo.
Riomouse911
Member
I have one or two plastic cans, I think they came with 500 .22 magnums inside if I remember correctly.
I use the metal .30 and .50 cal cans. They just seem to last forever, and the rounds stay cool and dry inside.
I use the metal .30 and .50 cal cans. They just seem to last forever, and the rounds stay cool and dry inside.
+1 for steel ammo cans. I've found some at army surplus stores for less than $15, have to do some inspection though as condition can be an issue. Harbor Freight has them on sale for $10 every so often, but I find they don't stack worth a darn. The $12 cans from walmart are pretty decent, and for $20 the Blackhawk cans are good, a little pricey. The Plano plastic cans I have not had good luck with, broken latches, handles and cracked bottoms have turned me off of them
SteadyD
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I have 3 of the MTM ammo crates. The large size, when completely full, are quite heavy. I use them for under the bed ammo storage and they work well for that, given that regular size cans won't fit under my bed. I'd like some quality metal cans but am uncertain what brand or where to find them.
Hokie_PhD
Member
I like them, but not for ammunition. I've stayed with steel ammo cans for quantities of ammo.
When I started out, I compared plastic to metal and somehow decided on plastic, but I can't remember the particulars of why.
I now have 1-2 Cabela's plastic ammo cans for each caliber I own due to commonality and they have always served me well. They come with a seal, so I suppose they are at least water resistant. I've honestly never let that bother me though. All but the bottom layer are stacked up off the ground. At the point where I have 12-plus inches of water in my basement, the ammo in the bottom layer of cans is of minimal concern to me.
I now have 1-2 Cabela's plastic ammo cans for each caliber I own due to commonality and they have always served me well. They come with a seal, so I suppose they are at least water resistant. I've honestly never let that bother me though. All but the bottom layer are stacked up off the ground. At the point where I have 12-plus inches of water in my basement, the ammo in the bottom layer of cans is of minimal concern to me.
FROGO207
Member
I like the USGI surplus ammo cans the best. 20MM or 40MM cans on the floor for huge piles of blasting/shotgun ammo then 30 cal, 50 cal, or SAW cans stacked on top. I will use 30 cal for taking ammo to the range, the others (heavier) stay home. This is more for moisture protection and in case of a fire to contain the ammo when it cooks off. YMMV
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