Ammo storage

SV_Dude

SV_Dude

Get Off My Lawn
Minuteman
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May 2, 2024
88
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Prescott Valley, AZ
#1
I’m sure this discussion has been beaten to death but I’m not super enthused about storing ammo in metal ammo cans. I am thinking about a more convenient way to store ammo. I came across some husky waterproof and stackable containers. They’re large enough to store the ammo in the cardboard boxes that they came in, which makes it convenient to grab a few boxes of whatever and put them in my range bag. They’re also large enough to store many cardboard boxes of ammo regardless of size so using one container for 9mm, one for 556, one for 6.5, etc would work well. Since the cardboard boxes of ammo can fit nicely in here then match/precision ammo can stay stored nicely.

They also seem like they’ll store nicely.

Here’s a link:


Anyone do something similar? Have any pros/cons? Better suggestions than dumping ammo boxes into 30/50 cal cans?
 
#2
I have a combination of ammo cans and totes, similar to what you show. Problem with the totes is weight. A tote can get over a hundred pounds full and even at half that they are not stackable.

With the cardboard boxes your weights may be a little lower than mine, but be careful the totes don't crush the totes under them. My totes ended up so heavy, I can't take them to the range, I need to take some ammo out and put in my range bag. I got these-
MTM Ammo Crate Polymer Dark Earth 7.25 Deep https://share.google/FC0SgRPOaZZjrrDfa

A fifty cal ammo can can get heavy when full, but you can safely stack them and they are practical to take to the range.

My answer came down to very strong shelves, and totes are on floor or bottom shelf only. Above that I have shelves full of 30 and 50 cans.

If I had it to do over, I'd have only ammo cans
 
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#3
1760009335414.jpeg


1760009392419.jpeg


This was a fun weekend project. Use it store my quickly accessible ammo. Have tried to get away from 50cal metal cans for bulk storage but have always gone back. With some moisture absorbers you just cant beat their ability to stack.
 
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#7
mrtoyz said:
View attachment 8783951

View attachment 8783953

This was a fun weekend project. Use it store my quickly accessible ammo. Have tried to get away from 50cal metal cans for bulk storage but have always gone back. With some moisture absorbers you just cant beat their ability to stack.
Click to expand...

I like that a lot. I’ve considered getting a metal storage cabinet and sealing it mostly air tight and installing a gun safe dehumidifier in it. Then I can just put the cardboard ammo boxes in it with no other worries.

Cal97c said:
Check Plastic Ammo Boxes, Often less expensive than metal cans and won't rust. Many high-quality ones also have rubber gaskets for a solid seal. They are also lighter and often come with handles.
Click to expand...

My gripe isn’t the cost or weight. It’s that I want to keep the cardboard boxes that the ammo comes in so that I can grab a couple hundred 9mm, a couple hundred 45, etc and head to the range. I don’t want to carry my range bag that’s already large with ear pro, pistols, tools, etc, AND two or more ammo cans of ammo. I’d rather just grab a few boxes of whatever I wanna shoot and toss it into my range bag.
 
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#9
hlee said:
You do know that you can put cardboard boxes of ammunition into metal ammo cans, right?
Click to expand...

Nope, I think that’s Newtons 4th law or something… cardboard boxes shall not go into metal boxes. Or something like that. In all seriousness in this regard I was thinking about using 50 cal ammo cans and stacking the boxes there.

My only intent here is to see what others are doing and copy/steal ideas. Maybe someone has something simpler than what I was thinking that made sense for me.
 
#11
SV_Dude said:
I like that a lot. I’ve considered getting a metal storage cabinet and sealing it mostly air tight and installing a gun safe dehumidifier in it. Then I can just put the cardboard ammo boxes in it with no other worries.



My gripe isn’t the cost or weight. It’s that I want to keep the cardboard boxes that the ammo comes in so that I can grab a couple hundred 9mm, a couple hundred 45, etc and head to the range. I don’t want to carry my range bag that’s already large with ear pro, pistols, tools, etc, AND two or more ammo cans of ammo. I’d rather just grab a few boxes of whatever I wanna shoot and toss it into my range bag.
Click to expand...
Assuming you live in a humid AO, cardboard definitely isn’t a problem otherwise.
 
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#13
Old Man with Gun said:
My plan is heavy duty shelves. Each shelf can hold 2500lbs.

There are two metal cabinets on top, with lighter stuff.

Before people jump to conclusions, this is my retirement plan, 40.1k rounds of centerfire loaded before my income gets less robust.
View attachment 8784312
Click to expand...
yep, stealing this organization system. perfect for my needs and I already use a mix of metals and MTM
 
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#14
SV_Dude said:
I’m sure this discussion has been beaten to death but I’m not super enthused about storing ammo in metal ammo cans. I am thinking about a more convenient way to store ammo. I came across some husky waterproof and stackable containers. They’re large enough to store the ammo in the cardboard boxes that they came in, which makes it convenient to grab a few boxes of whatever and put them in my range bag. They’re also large enough to store many cardboard boxes of ammo regardless of size so using one container for 9mm, one for 556, one for 6.5, etc would work well. Since the cardboard boxes of ammo can fit nicely in here then match/precision ammo can stay stored nicely.

They also seem like they’ll store nicely.

Here’s a link:


Anyone do something similar? Have any pros/cons? Better suggestions than dumping ammo boxes into 30/50 cal cans?
Click to expand...
The problem with having those is they are too big. About 3 gallons is the max. Any more than that and they become way too heavy to move unless you unload the contents. And with 5 gallons of ammo, you can forget about stacking them.

I store all of my ammo in plastic containers. I've tried a bunch of things. I got something that works for me, but then again I reload everything. I'm not buying ammo so except for 22LR I'm usually storing components. That said I generally keep a few thousand rounds loaded of each caliber, but with that said it becomes a matter of ease to get access so I have smaller containers that I can just open up and grab whatever I need.
 
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#15
Old Man with Gun said:
My plan is heavy duty shelves. Each shelf can hold 2500lbs.

There are two metal cabinets on top, with lighter stuff.

Before people jump to conclusions, this is my retirement plan, 40.1k rounds of centerfire loaded before my income gets less robust.
View attachment 8784312
Click to expand...
This warms my cold heart, but I would recommend getting rid of the wire and putting plywood in the bottom of there. It’ll support it better.
 
#17
_Windrider_ said:
This warms my cold heart, but I would recommend getting rid of the wire and putting plywood in the bottom of there. It’ll support it better.
Click to expand...
I don't trust those chinesium stamped steel shelve units for ammunition storage (other things, sure).

My ammo storage shelving is pretty simple. Cinder blocks & 2x4's.

Like this, but now also have a full length 2x4 one as well. Cinder blocks each end, plus a pillar in the middle.

C29A8E94-A553-4C5F-8C6F-D40673A43C4E_zpsqias874k.jpg


A nice "feature" of this type of shelving unit is that they are "easy" to move. If you move.

Plus can handle the load of bulk bullets for reloading.

As towards what type of container to store ammunition in? Ammo cans are tried & true, so I'm not going to reinvent any wheels. I plop silica dessicant packs in them too.
 
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#22
How do y’all store large amounts of “precision” ammunition? I use cans with loose ammo for pistol and 5.56 but just started getting into precision bolt gun stuff where I am hesitant to throw “match grade” ammo straight into a 30cal can. Storing in their factor packaging is very inefficient.
 
#24
This is my precision ammo for this caliber. I found it doesn't matter if I store it in boxes, or bags, it all shoots less than .5 MOA. I am careful about how I transport it through. I use the hard boxes to take it to range so nothing gets bumped the wrong way.
17601188149312028045891551199987.jpg
 
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#25
MonkeyToes said:
How do y’all store large amounts of “precision” ammunition? I use cans with loose ammo for pistol and 5.56 but just started getting into precision bolt gun stuff where I am hesitant to throw “match grade” ammo straight into a 30cal can. Storing in their factor packaging is very inefficient.
Click to expand...
Factory packaging is good at preventing tip damage which may happen with other storage methods
 
#26
Although not as neat and organized as some of the COD members on here , I use a combination of GI metal cans and plastic cans , and the smaller ones are perfect for throwing in my range bag , as long as they're not full , some of the larger cans I leave the rounds in the cardboard boxes but most I empty into the cans for space saving especially the smaller ones or if I have case volume and just want to keep dry .
 

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#27
Another idea is to use milk crates, two .50 or 3 .30 each. They stack nicely and easily go as high as you can safely lift. Do be careful as two .50 can full of loose 9mm is heavy! They go at the bottom though. You can also make a wheeled platform with the correct casters.
 
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#30
mark5pt56 said:
Another idea is to use milk crates, two .50 or 3 .30 each. They stack nicely and easily go as high as you can safely lift. Do be careful as two .50 can full of loose 9mm is heavy! They go at the bottom though. You can also make a wheeled platform with the correct casters.
Click to expand...

Milk crate idea seems pretty nifty, thanks!

For large storage I use surplus 30mm cans. 3 fit on a harbor freight furniture dolly.

Pic showing size comparison of 30mm, .30cal, .50cal & 40mm.

Have some "fat" .50cal cans (not pictured) & they're great for charged magazines.

IMG_1309.jpg
 
#31
Shelving is key. I got some very strong industrial shelving from Global Industries that is rated for like 500lb per shelf. Then I just filled them with the MTM polymer ammonia cans which are excellent. Each shelf is labeled below the cans as to what ammo is on that shelf and each can is labeled with what is inside.
 
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