Storing ammo, most convenient method

[cfabe]

So now that I've started buying ammo in bulk I'm trying to figure out whats the best way to store it and bring it to the range.

Right now I've got about 500 rds each of wolf 7.62 FMJ and HP in the 20rd boxes, and about 700 rds of 8mm mauser in clips on 70rd bandoliers. I don't have much handgun ammo now but when I do I'll keep it seperate as I go to an indoor range thats closer to home for that.

The wolf boxes tend to fall apart and spill rounds after a while, and the clips on the 8mm are pretty crappy, they never feed well into the gun and usually let a round fall out when removed from the bandolier.

I'm thinking of taking a big ammo can (not the .50 cal ones) and making dividers and just dumping it all in there in bulk. Advantage is easier and more organized to store than my current cardboard box, but I'll have to lug it to the range every time.

Opinions or other suggestions?

 

[XLMiguel]

I use ammo cans to store my ammo, segregated by caliber and JHP vs. ball. When I go to the range, I take out what I plan to shoot that day and carry it in a small, strong duffel. Given that I rarely go thru more than 2-300 rounds of a particular caliber, this works for me. If it's going to be an all day shoot with several guns, I just haul the ammo cans.

 

[P95Carry]

Ammo boxes are good ... I use them but .. never have enough!

I find usually I find a spare cardboard box and fill that for the day's shoot. The 8mm bandoliers .. well, just throw in two or three.

Long term storage ... I think the conditions are important .. I have a heap of 8mm .. BIG heap, but it's stacked such that it is at a good temp and will not suffer. Much other ammo is stacked on shelves in an old bookcase .... but space is always a problem.

Overall .. sensible and fairly consistent temp is useful ...

 

[Standing Wolf]

I buy Dillon's plastic ammunition boxes and load my own; MTM makes good boxes, too.

 

[P95Carry]

Hahaha ... SW's mention of the MTM boxes reminds me .. have used those for so many years ... forget they are there! Yeah ... all my reloads go into those .. but over time still find I want more!!

 

[Preacherman]

I found a neat way to store ammo (particularly when you've got a whole lot of it! ). I bought one of those steel office cupboards, 72" high, 24" deep and 36" wide, from Office Depot. I removed the interior shelves and brackets. Then, I bought a set of industrial-strength shelving from Wal-Mart: 72" high, 18" deep, 36" wide, capable of holding up to 2400 pounds in total. I assembled this inside the steel cupboard, having to trim about 1" off the top of the posts to make it fit, but otherwise having no problems. I now have a six-shelf (including the bottom of the cupboard) ammo storage locker, with key lock and a padlock hasp as well, containing (at last count) something over 10,000 rounds in a bunch of calibers. I'm now thinking of converting a second cupboard for bulk ammo storage, and using the existing one for "quality" ammo and specialized loads.

This has a couple of advantages. From the outside, it looks like any old office cupboard, so you're not likely to give your neighbors fits when they come over for coffee and find themselves in an arsenal... Secondly, it provides a degree of "tamper-proofing". Obviously, any half-way serious thief could break in in a minute or two with a crowbar, but it prevents casual access. Third, it puts everything in one place, with lots of room to grow. Finally, it's a great "organizer" place to put ammo cans, bulk boxes, odd rounds, and everything in between - means you don't have to start wondering where you put the oddball loads!

(One thing, though: when it comes to moving house, unload the cupboard... I reckon my ammo cupboard, filled, weighs three to four times as much as my gun safe! )

 

[Ala Dan]

Add me to the MTM plastic ammo box list; but I
found a really good deal on the smoke colored
handgun ammo boxes with the slip on top from
Precision Reloading, so I bought a bunch of them.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[cfabe]

Thanks guys lots of good ideas here. Where might one find these MTM boxes? I have no idea what they area.

As far as temp they'll be in my bedroom closet for the near future and always in the house, so 70F or so. What would be a max safe temp for ammunition, say if I left some in the trunk of my black car in death valley, any danger there?

Preacherman I like the idea of the shelving inside the plain jane cabinet. I'm not quite to that level yet but I'm working on it.

 

[P95Carry]

Not too sure about ''in the trunk - Death Valley'' !! That could be not exactly ideal ... and yet ammo does not cook off ... it is more case of feeling that you are not compromising it's potential longevity.

The MTM stuff .. I can't find link right now but do a search on I think
'' MTM Case-Gard'' . or similar .. someone else may have that. Usually plastic boxes for 50 or 100 rounds .. very useful. They are stocked by many places .. but go take a look thru search unless someone has exact link for you.

 

[Preacherman]

MTM Case-Gard's Web site is here.

 

[SteelyDan]

You can go to most sporting goods stores and find Stack-On or Homak "security cabinets" that are a little bigger than a case of beer for about $50. They will hold many thousands of rounds. Probably many, many thousands. Throw a sheet of plastic underneath, screw them to the walls or studs, add a box of dessicant, and you're set.

 

[Kingcreek]

I've got 2 sets of those heavy duty "gorilla" shelf units and they hold every kind of container. Lots of ammo in ammo cans,buckets, dishpans, plastic boxes are nice for some of the smaller lots.
The border shift bags from dillon precision are great for up to 500 pistol rounds.

 

[lycanthrope]

For pistol ammo:

1 gallon, Zip Lock Bags.

 

[rayra]

Mk19 / 40mm grenade ammo cans. Large, spacious, weigh about ~60lbs full, so your supply is still reasonable portable.
But like a poster above, I usually only shoot a couple hundred rounds per outing, boxes go in my range bag.

 

[cool45auto]

I have a different green ammo can for each caliber. I write on the top of it with a black magic marker what is inside. I keep the holders out of boxes of ammo and before I go to the range I fill those up with what I'm going to shoot.

 

[Fudgie Ghost]

Ammo cans. But here's how I keep track of what's in them:

I wrote in indelible ink box #1, box #2, etc on each box on the top, sides front and back, so I can see from any angle what box # it is.

I keep a list of what's in box, by box #. Change the list as I move contents around, use up some, replenish etc.

Done on Excel, I can sort by caliber, box #, etc. I have cells for caliber, bullet type, qty, purchase date, and any other notes I may want to add.

Keep the print out handy so if S hits the F, I or anybody who has access to the list can quickly get what's needed.

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

It depends on what the rounds are as to how I store them.

If they are precision rifle or handgun loads I store them in MTM-Case Gards cases.

If it's plinker rounds I store them in ZipLoc storage bags inside ammo cans.

As far as transporting to the range a dump truck get's everyone's attention, he he he he.

Preacherman........any chance of sharing pics or your ingenious system?

I LIKE the idea.