ammo storage case?

[awz1287]

hey guys,
I was looking into buying some cases of ammo to keep on hand for a shtf type situation. I was going to get ammo cans. I have some ammo cans for my range ammo and like them because the size is good to throw in the car and go to the range.
but for an emergency situation it would be good to have ammo in one place to just wheel out to the truck, if needed. so I was looking at some of the pelican cases like the 1620, 1640, or 1650. (no foam)

if I was to zip lock bag the ammo into 100 or 200 round bags which size case do you think I should get. I plan on ordering 1000 rounds each of 9mm, .45acp, .308, and .223 I know when they are bagged they fit a lot better then boxed, that's how I do it in ammo cans.
anyone know how much space that much ammo would take up if bagged like I said?

 

[Here2Learn]

Re: ammo storage case?

You could buy a lot of ammo cans for what a pelican case cost. I would just stick it in an ammo can and forget about it. I guess you could bag it and then put it in an ammo can if you wanted.

 

[b0xcrash]

Re: ammo storage case?

Yeah ammo cans might be the best way to go. You could label them and put a thousand rounds in each one separate.

If you want to roll them around at once find out what cheap suitcase with wheels will hold 4 ammo cans. Might even be able to find a nice hard plastic one on craigslist really cheap or something that will hold them all.

 

[PLeighton]

Re: ammo storage case?

Ammo Cans are the way to go.
They are design specifically for that purpose.
A pelican case would not be practical because that much ammo would be too heavy to handle effectively.

 

[sgtkeebler]

Re: ammo storage case?

I got about 1300 rounds of boxed .223 into 1 50cal ammo can. They work great and are durable, not to mention way cheaper

 

[awz1287]

Re: ammo storage case?

how many .50 ammo cans do you think I need for that much ammo? I usually only buy like 200-500 rounds a time.

anyone know any good deals on cans? at the places I looked the prices are good but they want a lot for shipping.

also how long will ammo last like this if I try to get most of the air out of the baggies and put some Oxygen and moisture absorber packets in the ammo can.

 

[sgtkeebler]

Re: ammo storage case?

I would start at about 10 cans, I've got 10 for 12k rounds of rifle and pistol. Just go to a army surplus store they are around $10 here. Just clean any rust, add a coat of paint and your good.

 

[mark5pt56]

Re: ammo storage case?

Think of what you can carry realistically and place your basic load into the can. That may include the long gun and secondary. You may include a re supply in there, but remember you have to carry it. If mag based weapons, include the mags as well. The fat 50 cans are great for this. Some people get the mortar can and pre load the gear to carry it in there.

 

[PLeighton]

Re: ammo storage case?

In 5.56 NATO, you can easily fit 1,000 rounds on stripper clips in each M2A1 ammo can.

The quantity of ammunition specified for each cartride when using military packaging:
(Keep in mind, the .MIL packaging allows for such things as air drop shock protection & ammo guides.)

9MM
M2A1 Can, 1000 rds

5.56 NATO
M2A1 Can, 820 rds

.308 Win
M2A1 Can, 460 rds

12 Guage
M2A1 Can, 240 rds

.22 LR
M2A1 Can, 5,000 rds

As far as prep and storage:
Go to your local grocery store and get a piece of dry ice.
put dry ice in a small bowl with a little bit of water.
(Think of Halloween witches brew effect...)
As soon as the CO2 "Fog" starts to spill over the sides of the can, close it up.
The CO2 from the dry ice is heavier than air and will displace all of it from the M2A1 can.
Once it is sealed, there is no chance for the ammo to corrode or otherwise be compromised.
Modern ammunition stored this way will outlive you.
The only thing that will effect it is heat.

A couple other good reasons to use ammo cans:
- They are easily stacked for storage
- They are designed to allow rounds to just burn and not blow up in the event of a fire. (The gasket will burn out first, thus allowing burning propellant to vent to the atmosphere.)
- Protects ammo from rough handling

The modern ammo cans really are one of those truly wonderful military innovations...

Remember, "Buy it Cheap & Stack it Deep!"

 

[Vereor]

Re: ammo storage case?

As said a Pelican will be too heavy and needlessly expensive.

 

[willlongrifle]

Re: ammo storage case?

AWZ1287,

Check out survivalblog.com look for ammo storage.
The dry ice works great. I just opened a can of .308 in Feb,
Y2k cache still shiny and shot great hope this helps..

 

[3fingervic]

Re: ammo storage case?

I scored 6 of these Plano shot shell cases for $60 at Meijer's. They are a bit bigger than most metal ammo boxes, and they are water resistant. Also, you don't have to worry about rust. They were on sale, I think the regular price is $12.99


http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=200030221&sellerid=16632239

 

[AMTeam4]

Re: ammo storage case?

Check out hardware boxes/bins at your local hardware store.
Examples:
http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Organiz...p;storeId=10051
or
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/CONTICO...p;cm_vc=IDPRRZ1

A decent hardware bin is $50-100 and you won't look like a "Dooms Day Prepper" loading up your vehicle with multiple ammo cans.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: ammo storage case?

If you had a Pelican 16.. full of SHTF ammo, yes the wheels would help you get it to the truck, but you'd help from grown men to help you lift it in, ammo cans are cheap and effective.

 

[PLeighton]

Re: ammo storage case?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AMTeam4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A decent hardware bin is $50-100 and you won't look like a "Dooms Day Prepper" loading up your vehicle with multiple ammo cans.</div></div> LOL!!!
You should have seen the looks I was getting when I moved a few years ago.
The guys helping me did not count on having a truck load of just ammo cans...

 

[Mike Casselton]

Re: ammo storage case?

Big key here is how much can you realistically carry along with your gear and multiple firearms?

9mm, 45, 40 has too much redundancy. Even though the 9 is the least powerful, the replacements/resupply in a SHTF situation should be the easiest to acquire...

5.56/223 should be the easiest to get resupply and the 308 would probably be the toughest...

Two guns would be the easiest to feed and carry. 9mm pistol and an accurate scoped AR in 5.56.

Just my .02 cents worth...

 

[awz1287]

Re: ammo storage case?

Thanks for the help guys. I just got 8 .50 cal ammo cans. That should be good to get started.

 

[mark5pt56]

Re: ammo storage case?

Milk crates work well for stacking also, you can put 2 .50 cal cans or 1 .50 and 2 .30's in each.

 

[awz1287]

Re: ammo storage case?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mark5pt56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Milk crates work well for stacking also, you can put 2 .50 cal cans or 1 .50 and 2 .30's in each. </div></div>

Oh ok cool idea I didn't think of that.