Long term ammo storage

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go2ndAmend

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Mar 8, 2008
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Hello all - My question to you is what is the best method to use to prevent corrosion of ammunition that is stored for long-term use? It will be stored in a garage. I was thinking of putting it in tupperware containers with some desicant (sp?) to abosorb any moisture and storing it in a dark location. Anyone have any thoughts on this subject?
 
I asked an old-timer gunsmith this question, and he said as long as you keep them dry,there should be no problem. So I think your storage idea would be Ok. I've shot stuff more than 20 yrs. old with no problem.

Pete
 
If you have enough valuable ammo to justify the expense, you could store it in a cabinet with a goldenrod dehumidifier. It will also protect carbon steel items you might want to store there.:D I use one in my gun/knife safe and in a closet where axes and ammo are stored. Even the heat from a small lightbulb is supposed to help and that's cheaper than a goldenrod.

Some folks just store their ammo in military ammo cans. I'd prefer to be in a nice dry environment when I sealed them up. And I'd probably check them every few months.

DancesWithKnives
 
get a can of TOPCOTE, mist it onto each pak of ammunition, and store with a VCI pack (vapor corrision inhibitor) inside a ammo can or Pelican case.

keep in mind that such measures are useless anyways............the goverment mandated that all powder contain decay agents that renders them useless after several years. This was to prevent stockpiling of ammo by anti gubmint types.
 
Bushman5 said:
keep in mind that such measures are useless anyways............the goverment mandated that all powder contain decay agents that renders them useless after several years. This was to prevent stockpiling of ammo by anti gubmint types.
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Is this true or a tall tale? If it is true, when did they start doing it? :grumpy:
 
rt014 said:
Is this true or a tall tale? If it is true, when did they start doing it? :grumpy:
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Not true...these rumors started back in the early 90's (shelf-life primer scare) and have continued to persist. I know there is some talk about trying to make ammo with a shelf life so people can't stock pile, but for now, it's a pipe dream for the anti-gun crowd.

I just buy a bunch of .50 ammo cans; mark them and store them in the bottom of the closet. The problem with the garage is that it needs to have a constant temperature...not only humidity, but heat will damage ammo in long term storage. Now, with that said, I had a bunch of old surplus 9mm +P+ Hirtenberger (SMG) ammo stored in my Texas garage for the past two years...temps and humidity are pretty high (over 100 degrees easy and high humidity at times). This stuff was just stored in the bottom on my work bench drawer; pretty much fully exposed. All that stuff fired without a hitch. I wouldn't recommend experimenting with your ammo, but some simple precautions will keep it functional indefinitely.

ROCK6
 
Ammo cans are the way to go. Cheap and reliable. Remember that temperature extremes can degrade the powder / primer as well. Cool and dry is the answer.
 
DavidZ said:
Ammo cans are the way to go. Cheap and reliable. Remember that temperature extremes can degrade the powder / primer as well. Cool and dry is the answer.
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^ +1, I've shot stuff that was sealed in ammo cans that was 40+ years old with no problem.
 
Bushman5 said:
get a can of TOPCOTE, mist it onto each pak of ammunition, and store with a VCI pack (vapor corrision inhibitor) inside a ammo can or Pelican case.

keep in mind that such measures are useless anyways............the goverment mandated that all powder contain decay agents that renders them useless after several years. This was to prevent stockpiling of ammo by anti gubmint types.
Click to expand...

Your tinfoil hat is a bit too tight.:rolleyes:

Do you really think ANY military would take a chance on degraded ammo making its way to combat troops? ERRORNET MYTH!

Put it in .50 cal ammo cans (make sure the seals are good), store it in an area with the most constant temp and don't worry about it.

I've also shot 40-50YO ammo stored in ammo cans and it worked just fine.

Rob
 
Anybody think it's funny that the US military ammo seems to fire with no problem 40, 50 years later but a lot of the eastern bloc ammo from the 80's is already misfiring?
 
The propellant inside ammo will degrade over time, but not to any degree that will prevent it from working.

Ammo from WWII and earlier is still being used without any notable degradation (aside from corrosive primers).

The last Japanese hold-out in the Phillipines used 30-year old ammo that he kept buried in the wet island jungles to fight police and military. (read "No Surrender" for real survival skills).

Keep your ammo dry and in a cool dark place and your grandkids will be using it.

Forget about spraying Topcote or anything else onto your ammo/packaging. Less is better.
 
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