Long Term Ammo Storage - The Firearms Forum

duffman77087 · 10-06-2011, 02:21 PM

Hey Everyone,
I have been saving & reloading ammo for better & more consistent loads. I have also been saving a bit of it for a "shtf" moment. Well what I want to know is ammo safe to store in a 50 Cal. can by itself or do you need to store them in plastic boxes then in the ammo can? Also do I need to dab a bit of nail polish on the primers & around the case & bullet before I put them up? I live in Houston, Texas and it is humid most of the year here, but they are kept inside the spare bedroom.

The Duke · 10-06-2011, 04:29 PM

Living in Houston, I know you have a good AC...

Kept inside, cool and dry they will outlast you...Ive soom hoarded stuff Ive had for 30 years or more and it shoots just fine...+ it wasnt stored in optimun conditions, but outside in my shop...Hot in Summer and cold in Winter...Still works..

carver · 10-06-2011, 04:30 PM

I live in TX too, and I just stick em in the ammo boxes. I have boxes of ammo that are over 20yrs old!

Clipper · 10-06-2011, 09:03 PM

Up here in the High Plains, it is dryer than a popcorn fart, I have stuff that I loaded in the mid 70's and it's still good. I do keep it stored in GI ammo cans, got bunches of them stored in a guest room closet, some in the basement. Texas ain't all humid and hot....

Brisk44 · 10-06-2011, 09:08 PM

I keep mine stored in GI ammo cans which are made to seal out the elements.

jack404 · 10-06-2011, 09:10 PM

we've ammo here (.303) that was bought bulk surplus after WW1 and stored in a mine (high and dry) and its good today ..

i packed some for "in case", a plastic box a silica gel pack inside with the ammo when sealed turned upside down and hit it with a hot glue gun and sealed it tight , that'll last 100 years i expect , longer than i will

duffman77087 · 10-06-2011, 09:31 PM

What about the nail polish on the primers & case neck?

Brisk44 · 10-06-2011, 09:35 PM

I don't and have had no problems.

gun-nut · 10-07-2011, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duffman77087

What about the nail polish on the primers & case neck?

i have done that and it works well!!! Left it sit in a class of water over night and it fired just fine.

gun-nut · 10-07-2011, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brisk44

I keep mine stored in GI ammo cans which are made to seal out the elements.

+1 on that. WWII surplus ammo cans. 50 cal as well as 30 cal cans.

Willie · 10-07-2011, 07:29 AM

All good to know. I was watching this thread because I had the same concern. Thanks for the answers.

gcalloway · 10-07-2011, 08:59 AM

I recently acquired an old mauser that has been rebarreled in .244 With it a also acquired about 200 rounds of reloaded ammo with dates on the boxes in the mid 70's. I think I will pull the bullets and salvage the brass without trying someone elses recipes with that much age on them.

carver · 10-07-2011, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duffman77087

What about the nail polish on the primers & case neck?

I think that this would be a really good idea if you expecting to get your ammo wet, say a flood or something like that. Otherwise, I don't see a need for sealing the primers, and case neck.

cutter · 10-07-2011, 10:55 AM

I have Korean surplus and it shoots great. I have not had a misfire. It is 30-06 and 30 Carbine. So I guess if it kept dry it will last longer than we will be here.

10-06-2011, 02:21 PM	#1
duffman77087 Former Guest Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 23	Long Term Ammo Storage Hey Everyone, I have been saving & reloading ammo for better & more consistent loads. I have also been saving a bit of it for a "shtf" moment. Well what I want to know is ammo safe to store in a 50 Cal. can by itself or do you need to store them in plastic boxes then in the ammo can? Also do I need to dab a bit of nail polish on the primers & around the case & bullet before I put them up? I live in Houston, Texas and it is humid most of the year here, but they are kept inside the spare bedroom. -->

10-06-2011, 04:29 PM	#2
The Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 813	Re: Long Term Ammo Storage Living in Houston, I know you have a good AC... Kept inside, cool and dry they will outlast you...Ive soom hoarded stuff Ive had for 30 years or more and it shoots just fine...+ it wasnt stored in optimun conditions, but outside in my shop...Hot in Summer and cold in Winter...Still works.. __________________ Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) - a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

10-06-2011, 04:30 PM	#3
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,552	Re: Long Term Ammo Storage I live in TX too, and I just stick em in the ammo boxes. I have boxes of ammo that are over 20yrs old! __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

10-06-2011, 09:03 PM	#4
Clipper V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 391	Re: Long Term Ammo Storage Up here in the High Plains, it is dryer than a popcorn fart, I have stuff that I loaded in the mid 70's and it's still good. I do keep it stored in GI ammo cans, got bunches of them stored in a guest room closet, some in the basement. Texas ain't all humid and hot....

10-06-2011, 09:08 PM	#5
Brisk44 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,747	Re: Long Term Ammo Storage I keep mine stored in GI ammo cans which are made to seal out the elements.

10-06-2011, 09:10 PM	#6
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: Long Term Ammo Storage we've ammo here (.303) that was bought bulk surplus after WW1 and stored in a mine (high and dry) and its good today .. i packed some for "in case", a plastic box a silica gel pack inside with the ammo when sealed turned upside down and hit it with a hot glue gun and sealed it tight , that'll last 100 years i expect , longer than i will

10-06-2011, 09:31 PM	#7
duffman77087 Former Guest Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 23	Re: Long Term Ammo Storage What about the nail polish on the primers & case neck?

10-06-2011, 09:35 PM	#8
Brisk44 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,747	Re: Long Term Ammo Storage I don't and have had no problems.

10-07-2011, 07:29 AM	#11
Willie Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Galveston,TX Contributor Posts: 1,004	Re: Long Term Ammo Storage All good to know. I was watching this thread because I had the same concern. Thanks for the answers. __________________ Willie West End Electric Galveston Electricians

10-07-2011, 08:59 AM	#12
gcalloway V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Atlanta Posts: 88	Re: Long Term Ammo Storage I recently acquired an old mauser that has been rebarreled in .244 With it a also acquired about 200 rounds of reloaded ammo with dates on the boxes in the mid 70's. I think I will pull the bullets and salvage the brass without trying someone elses recipes with that much age on them. __________________ Success: Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success. - Henry Ford

10-07-2011, 10:55 AM	#14
cutter Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 633	Re: Long Term Ammo Storage I have Korean surplus and it shoots great. I have not had a misfire. It is 30-06 and 30 Carbine. So I guess if it kept dry it will last longer than we will be here.