ammo storage

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Apr 16, 1999
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I was just thinking about the subject, not where to put it. When going backpacking, or out for a while and you bring your gun with you, I was just wondering how would you store your ammo so that it would fit into your pack easily and won't get wet.

Personially I was thinking about one of those vaccum sealed bags that you see on the info-mercials, but does it take out the moisture too?
 
TTTT,

Yes, you could use the vacu-bags for carrying ammo. The downside of them being that they are not field resealable. The upside being that they are more durable IME than Ziplock bags, even the freezer weight Ziplocks. For convenience, you could make mini-bags from the roll of vacu-bag material and seal one magazine fill of ammo into each mini-bag. That way you eliminate spare ammo exposure to the elements until it's needed. Since the vacuum pump removes most (all?) of the air from the bag, it also will be removing the water vapor in the air.

While they aren't as durable, I use freezer weight Ziplock bags for a day afield. I find greater need for multiple opening/closing of the bag than for absolute durability of the bag & protection from the wet. Even in the rainy Cascades, it works okay for me when we go out for a day. I do towel off any left over ammo that is wet when I get home at the end of the day and leave it out to air-dry some more overnight inside the house. The thing to remember is that you are trying to prevent moisture migration through the primer seat. I don't know if it will migrate through the juncture of the bullet and the neck of the case. IIRC bullet lube is used to seat the bullet, which may limit/eliminate moisture migration there.

However, Ziplocks may not work well enough for multi-day operations when you live in the rain & mud long-term. In that case I would recommend putting the Ziplocks or vacu-bags in an ammo can, which is both waterproof & impact/cut/poke resistant. But ammo cans would be too heavy for situations where you will be packing your ammo, like hunting or backpacking.

My quick $.02,
Greg
 
since my pack gun is an M6 Scout, my ammo goes in the stock compartment and in the outer pocket on its carry bag. I get about 65 rounds of .22 lr and 20 rounds of .410 into those two spots....
 
Don't forget you can put dessicant (silica gel) packets into resealable plastic bags; this will absorb any traces of water left on the ammo.

Also, a lot of premium commercial centerfire ammo today has Ni plated cases and non oxidizing bullets (MoS2 or something else); you could probably store these under water and they would still work.

Hope this helps, Walt
 
As we go through life we find things we like...

I really like high quality Duct (100 mph) tape, Zipties, Paracord, and dearest to my heart..."Ziplock freezer bags"

I put everything in Ziplocks when I go in the field. Heck, I sometimes even put Ziplocks in Ziplocks...lol

Good thinking on the "One magazine per bag" idea. And dissicant packs are a great idea too!

I keep my ammo in ammo cans with dissicant packs...works well.

Here's a tip. If find a round that ya really like, buy it by the case. Put it in the ammo can with the dissicant pack. Tear of a box end with the lot code, and put it in the ammo can as well. Mark the ammo can with a number...1 through xx1 as your "can" collection grows.

Make up a table for each can with the following info. Caliber, make, weight, special features of the round, date bought, etc. Compile these tables as a quick reference list.

Such a list can help ya easily find what you're looking for, instead of opening each can to find out what's in it.

Also, I try to find a ballistically equivilent practice round (weight, recoil, flash signature, etc.) for each of my premium defense loads...then I can practice on the "cheap", and still be ready with the good stuff when and if the time comes...
 
Can't remember where I saw it, but someone out there makes primer sealer for reloading. this can also seal at the neck where the bullet is seated. This should prevent "seepage" damage. May want to test it first. Also, Seller & Belloit makes sealed ammo, which is "oil-proof", a step up from waterproof due to the penetrating nature of some oils. I feed mine S&B quite regularly with no problems.

Hope this helps.
 
A low cost alternative is to use a clear nail polish on the case neck where the bullet is seated into the brass. You can do the same for the primer pocket and primer, just use it sparingly and it'll be a good fix for you. There are commercially available hard cases with rubber gaskets that will keep ammunition high and dry, but they take up valuable space in a ruck, where the other members have stated, freezer bags and desiccant. A silicone impregnated shammy is a good thing to have in your kit if your ammunition gets damp or wet.

Melvin made a good advice contribution, if you're storing multiple cans, his system is flawless and works very well. There is nothing more frustrating then going through a stack of ammo cans, just to have the very last can be the one you're freaking after. Where the hell is the .223?
 
It all depends what type of firearm and ammo you're talking about...AND more importantly what is the purpose of this ammo? If for plinking then a vacu seal bag is great for long term storage and portability. But it isn't very accessible in a hurry. .22LR fit fine in a freezer bag. Handgun ammo you can store in spare magazines for convenience. 5.56 ammo for an AR for example can be kept in a four or six pouch bandoleer on stripper clips for a standard loadout and accessibility.

Military spec'd ammo is bombproof..meaning it is designed for foul/inclement weather, humidity, heat, moisture etc. This is why it is so popular for a wilderness cartridge. Commerically made ammo for sportsman are not so and need to be better protected.

If carrying a 30-30 or 45-70 lever gun then get a 20 round leather pouch which can be secured to your day/backpack waist belt. Shotgun shells are a pain cuz they're large and bulky but you could store them on a bandoleer for both transport and accessibility.

Bottom line is this...what ammo is it, what are you intending to do with it (plink, hunt or defense) and have accessible do you need it or not need it?
 
You could also use MTM slip cases for larger calibers. Unless you are planning on swimming with your ammo, I don't think its going to matter all that much. I would think the best way would be to find a good way to carry the ammo, that works for your set-up and your style, then adapt it to keep the ammo dry. I think that will be much easier long term, instead of figuring out a great way to keep the ammo dry, then finding that getting one round out of the package destroys the integrity of your system.
 
If you just need something waterproof to store your ammo while backpacking I would say a viable option is a pill bottle. Make sure the one you use is water proof and your good to go. :thumbup:
 
Go to a Tobacco Store and buy a vinyl tobacco pouch with a zipper, put your ammo in it, zip it up, and put the pouch in a heavy duty Ziploc freezer bag. It will keep your ammo quiet and dry in your pack.
 
I use a chew can for my .22lr. Tossed in a zip lock with some other odds and ends

This is pretty much what i do to. I shot some 20 year old rifle rounds rescently and all worked fine and they were in a damp garage in their original packaging. You would have to keep them exposed in a fairly harsh environment for them not to work. Big waterproof ammo can for long term storage and just put in ziploc or something.
 
It sort of depends on the caliber. But I tend to carry many things in ziplock bags and I think the idea of multiple "baggies" is a good idea. It really depends on IF you suspect you will be doing any shooting or you're just carrying to give yourself some peace of mind and normally never fire a single round.

The snack bags work pretty well for small things, but they are a bit thin.
 
You can also vaccu seal ammo in a bag with a cup of rice. The rice acts a moisture protection and you also have an emergency food source.
 
As a Soldier I carried ammo in the magazine and the mags went into magazine pouches. The mag pouches had a drain hole but that was the extent of the special treatment.

I think if you're buying quality ammo you don't have to much to worry about.
 
When I first started backpacking I used to take a .45. That was SO heavy! Then I switched to a little Makarov, but eventually I decided that was too heavy. Then I switched to a Charter Arms Pathfinder .22 mag but decided IT was too heavy. Now I have a little NAA mini master and the only ammo I bring is the 5 in it couple shotshells and a couple of solid points. I dont' always even take the NAA even though it weighs ounces not pounds.

My experience is that in over 30 years of backpacking that I have never needed a gun once. But I've forgotten or not brough a lot of other stuff that I could have used. Psychologically I have not totally convinced my self that a gun is not needed where I go but intellectually I have.
 
Hollowdweller,
I always have a handgun on my person while in the woods. Like you, I got tired of carrying a heavy handgun and have settled on a 12 ounce, five shot, .357 J-frame Smith & Wesson.
My philosophy is, "it's better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it."
I have noticed more reports of crime occurring in very remote locations these days. There are also occasional packs of feral dogs, wild hogs, boa constrictors, etc. in the areas that I sometimes travel.
Besides, I sleep better at night knowing I am armed.
 
I think if you're buying quality ammo you don't have to much to worry about.
Good ammo will be fine without any special fuss. Unless you plan on going swimming. :D
When I first started backpacking I used to take a .45. That was SO heavy! Then I switched to a little Makarov, but eventually I decided that was too heavy. Then I switched to a Charter Arms Pathfinder .22 mag but decided IT was too heavy. Now I have a little NAA mini master and the only ammo I bring is the 5 in it couple shotshells and a couple of solid points. I dont' always even take the NAA even though it weighs ounces not pounds.

My experience is that in over 30 years of backpacking that I have never needed a gun once. But I've forgotten or not brough a lot of other stuff that I could have used. Psychologically I have not totally convinced my self that a gun is not needed where I go but intellectually I have.

I'm at the same point. I realized the only reason I was carrying a gun was out of fear of the unknown. I don't even own a gun anymore.
 
I'm at the same point. I realized the only reason I was carrying a gun was out of fear of the unknown. I don't even own a gun anymore.[/QUOTE]

Really, not even a shotgun?
 
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