Ammo storage

[VertigoBE]

Dear AH members,

after the sad news about the Woodleigh factory burning down (although there seems to be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel), I tried to ensure that my new double (still not arrived, best indication is mid april now) that is regulated with Norma .375H&H Woodleigh's 350grains in FMJ and RNSN, would have enough pills to swallow for my lifetime.

Calling every gunshop I could find, the EU distributor, friends, etc. I found some leftovers in France, Belgium and other places, and should now have an amount of rounds more than sufficient for a lifetime of hunting in Africa. (I'm only 35, so I'm counting on 50 years! )

All this Norma ammunition comes in flat rectangular boxes of 10 pieces, set in a plastic frame:

So now my question: having a lifetime supply of the ammunition for which my double is regulated, I would like to know what the best way of storing is, to traverse the next 50years? Should I take all the rounds out and put them in dedicated hard plastic cases? Leave them in their boxes, but store those in another more durable container? Moisture packets? Sunlight? etc.

Glad to hear your thoughts!

Cheers,

V.

 

[wesheltonj]

Leave them in their factory box, place the factory boxes in box that seals and place a desiccant in the box. Then store that box in a cool dry place.

 

[VertigoBE]

Leave them in their factory box, place the factory boxes in box that seals and place a desiccant in the box. Then store that box in a cool dry place.

something like this is not advantageous then?

 

[Denvir Tire]

Original box, vacuum seal like freezer venison

 

[YancyW]

They will last a VERY long time with just avoiding large temperature swings. I bought several crates of some eastern bloc surplus ammo. It was made in the 50-60s and I'm sure just sat in a warehouse for decades, it ran perfect.

 

[Jörg Krüger]

I would 2nd the idea of vacuum sealing them. Each box on their own obviously.

 

[Ravensview]

I have good luck storing ammo in old military ammo cans, in their original boxes in a dry cool spot of the house, granted I haven’t had any stored for 50 years, but I still have some from the 70’s, so 42 plus years and the surplus ammo that I use too shoot from the CMP was even older.

 

[wesheltonj]

Something like this:

Rustrictor™ Field/Ammo Box Medium

Shop the best in specialized fishing and hunting storage. Superior design and technology drives our line of tackle boxes, storage cases, fishing backpacks, and bags.

planomolding.com

 

[Denvir Tire]

Oxygen and moisture are the enemy here, remove them both

 

[Hunt anything]

I vacuum pack my surplus ammo then put it in a G I ammo box and then place in a gun safe that is just for ammo. I leave a small amount of ammo in my main safe that I think I may use in the next few months.

 

[deewayne2003]

Leave them in their factory box, place the factory boxes in box that seals and place a desiccant in the box. Then store that box in a cool dry place.

100% agree with this advice!.... I lost a large amount of valuable ammo years ago because of improper storage and learned my lesson the hard way.

Now I take all of my primers and ammo for long term storage and leave them in the original packaging and place them inside ziplock plastic storage bags; then place the sealed bags inside a metal ammo can with rubber seal and add a desiccant pack to absorb any moisture and then close the metal can and store them in a climate controlled closet.

https://www.amazon.com/50-Cal-Military-Surplus-Ammo/dp/B07BZR4L99

https://www.amazon.com/Dehumidifier-Reusable-Desiccant-Canisters-Indicating/dp/B08BV1X5Y2/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=desiccant+packs+for+ammo+can&qid=1646407707&sr=8-5

 

[TheSayHeyKid]

I'm with Denvir Tire on this one...that's how I store all my 'long term' ammunition. I even store 'long term' guns the same way. Buy the vacuum seal rolls, cut a piece to the desired length, insert item to be vacuum packed inside, and seal dat sh*t up! (Internet photo for reference...)

 

[Woodcarver]

Heat is the biggest cause of powder degradation. Keep it cool and dry, it will last for decades. Wesheltonj's suggestion of a container that seals would be practical. Definitely keep it in the original boxes.
I have ammunition, both factory and handloads, that were my Grandpa's. He's been gone since 1981. Some of the reloads are labeled from the early '60s. Every now and again I'll pull some out and shoot his reloads that are older than me (60). Every one has gone "bang".

 

[VertigoBE]

I'm with Denvir Tire on this one...that's how I store all my 'long term' ammunition. I even store 'long term' guns the same way. Buy the vacuum seal rolls, cut a piece to the desired length, insert item to be vacuum packed inside, and seal dat sh*t up! (Internet photo for reference...)

View attachment 455604

Would you have any specific vacuum machines, techniques, materials that you would recommend @TheSayHeyKid ?

 

[TheSayHeyKid]

Would you have any specific vacuum machines, techniques, materials that you would recommend @TheSayHeyKid ?

I have a FoodSaver 5800. It's a little overkill as far as options, but it's a good unit. As far as techniques, I just make sure that the ammo is already in a dry (low humidity) state and then I'll vacuum pack an entire box or in some cases 10 or 12 shotgun shells (whatever I'm taking with me during duck season in case they end up in the drink). The FoodSaver automatically shuts down and seals when maximum vacuum has been achieved.

In regards to packing firearms for long term storage, I make sure they are thoroughly cleaned and then apply a very light coating of oil, and then seal 'em up. When hunting in other states where I send my rifle out before my arrival, I'll vacuum seal it before locking up the gun case. Ya never know what the shipping industry is going to do to your package en route.

Hope this answers your question! ♫♪♫

Billy

 

[GuttormG]

Vaccum bag an store in ammocans, ammo wil outlast you.

Norwegian military smallarms ammo is stored in cardboard boxes, 20 roundsvin each box, 5 orx10 boxes in annouter cardboard box, in a sealed plastic bag (not vaccumed but packed in a controlled enviroment) and then stored in eithe plastic containers or ammocans.
A guy dud resarch on this some time ago, 40+ years of storage did not affect thexquality/uasabillity of the amunition.

 

[CBH Australia]

something like this is not advantageous then? View attachment 455578

Good for transport and range use

As suggested bag up your long term storage in warm dry weather.
Some lunch boxes or paint pail buckets are airtight. You might find something cheap.