Ammo storage and humidity levels

steelcomp

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 11, 2009
679
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N/E TN
I just moved into a new house with a basement and was considering using the utility room for my ammo storage. I have a dehumidifier in the room and was wondering what is considered a safe humidity level for ammo storage. Most ammo is relatively well packed in corrigated cardboard boxes and some in ammo cans but there are several hundred rounds in the factory boxes. I have it at 35% right now and need to empty the dehumidifier every few days so I know it's doing it's job. Any input would be appreciated. TIA
 
35% is really not high humidity levels. RH is not the problem, dampness is. Don't store ammo flat on your pourous concrete floor, and don't let water seep in and pool, you won't have any issues
 
I store in basement too and have my humidifier set on 50 percent. It goes to a sump pump so I don't worry about emptying it but you could bump yours up and maybe dump it once a week and be fine.
 
If youre really concerned about it, or forsee some of your stock needing to stay good for many years, id invest in some ammo cans and a some desiccant packs. Toss one into each can and forget about it. For
as long as you like. As mentioned, keep stuff off the bare concrete floor.
 
Most of my actual ammo is in ammo cans with desiccant packs but some isn't so I still like to keep it dry around 50%. My powder/primers are actually in those large vacuum pack bags people usually store clothes or blankets in that you can buy at walmart. Keeps any humidity out. Everything is up off floor on a couple pallets high, which you can find for free most of the time.
 
Thanks everyone. That's the info I was looking for. I'll bump it up to 45. Nothing is on the floor except for some wooden crates and everything in the crates is in sealed battle packs, and a dozen ammo cans or so and they all have desiccant in them. I sure appreciate the responses. Thanks again.