Ammo Stockpile and Storage?

BigStick · 02-04-2010, 08:39 AM

Alright, I actually have several questions regarding ammo.

First, how much ammo do you guys keep around as a stash or backup supply?

Second, how and where do you store it? Safe, ammo cans, etc... I understand that cool and dry is the best, but to try to free up some space and keep it out of the way, I was thinking about maybe the attic or crawl space under the house.

Third, I know rifle and pistol ammo shelf life is measure in decades, and as long as they are stored properly they won't go bad, but what about shotgun shells? Since they are plastic, do they have a shorter shelf life?

Just looking for good thoughts and ideas.

koorbloh · 02-04-2010, 08:41 AM

I like to keep a few rounds for each gun in a milk crate on top of my beer fridge.

(a "few" means really enough to go out and shoot something if I run into problems where I don't have food)

Metonymy · 02-04-2010, 09:13 AM

I know some guys who keep a box or two of ammo, and other people who have 10k rounds for each caliber they own.

It's all personal preference.

If you're going to store it in an attic or crawl space, put it in ammo cans with some dessicant. Moisture is the enemy of gun powder and corrosion of metals is a biatch.

chrisb · 02-04-2010, 06:33 PM

All of mine is in my gun safe so its protected from fire, kids, thieves, moisture, thieves,etc. Cuts my safe capacity in half but it's worth it IMO

Cody1877 · 02-04-2010, 07:01 PM

Stockpiling ammo is totally rediculous, I'd never do that it could explode and like damage my house and shit.

GregM · 02-05-2010, 06:13 AM

300-500 rounds of each caliber

James · 02-05-2010, 10:11 AM

"Gun Safe"

(remember BIGGER is better)
Better to have too much room inside, than not enough.

aaronk · 02-06-2010, 09:13 PM

1k is what I shoot for with the exception of shotgun and .22lr. Shotgun shells I keep 100 rounds of 00 buck and about a case worth of various birdshot loads. .22lr I'll keep 5k plus of. I like to have 5 mags for each caliber as well. I rotate all my ammo too. Buy a few boxes, store 'em, and shoot the oldest stuff.

Stored in dry boxes in my closet.

vic · 02-17-2010, 06:21 PM

I lost all my ammo in a tragic boating accident.

reppinthe509 · 02-17-2010, 10:42 PM

seriously whats with this boating accident thing. ive seen it on two gun forums.

Metonymy · 02-18-2010, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reppinthe509

seriously whats with this boating accident thing. ive seen it on two gun forums.

Inside joke. You either get it or you don't.

DerBarbarian · 02-20-2010, 12:29 AM

I keep roughly 1,000-1,500 per rifle in a case with the cylica gel stuff, then I keep 500-700 per Pistol round again in ammo cans with cylica gel. What I would like to do is find good 1,000 round sealed spam cans for .223 and 7,62x39 I keep running into them when I already have a big stock and cant really afford to drop another 400 bucks on ammo haha.

02-04-2010, 08:39 AM	#1
BigStick Gunslinger Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gig Harbor, WA Posts: 57	Ammo Stockpile and Storage? Alright, I actually have several questions regarding ammo. First, how much ammo do you guys keep around as a stash or backup supply? Second, how and where do you store it? Safe, ammo cans, etc... I understand that cool and dry is the best, but to try to free up some space and keep it out of the way, I was thinking about maybe the attic or crawl space under the house. Third, I know rifle and pistol ammo shelf life is measure in decades, and as long as they are stored properly they won't go bad, but what about shotgun shells? Since they are plastic, do they have a shorter shelf life? Just looking for good thoughts and ideas. __________________ Walk Softly...

02-04-2010, 08:41 AM	#2
koorbloh Marksman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 461	I like to keep a few rounds for each gun in a milk crate on top of my beer fridge. (a "few" means really enough to go out and shoot something if I run into problems where I don't have food) Last edited by koorbloh; 02-04-2010 at 09:00 AM.

02-05-2010, 10:11 AM	#7
James Rifleman Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 211	Two Words for ya... "Gun Safe" (remember BIGGER is better) Better to have too much room inside, than not enough. __________________ Jim, the MC from Outdoor Channel's 'Shooting USA' will pay $10.00 of your NRA membership! Go to www.ShootingUSA.com and Join!

02-17-2010, 06:21 PM	#9
vic Gunslinger Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: maple valley washington Posts: 25	I lost all my ammo in a tragic boating accident. __________________ hold my beer I'm gonna try somethin'

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02-04-2010, 09:13 AM	#3
Metonymy Marksman Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 360	I know some guys who keep a box or two of ammo, and other people who have 10k rounds for each caliber they own. It's all personal preference. If you're going to store it in an attic or crawl space, put it in ammo cans with some dessicant. Moisture is the enemy of gun powder and corrosion of metals is a biatch.

02-04-2010, 06:33 PM	#4
chrisb Gunslinger Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Monroe, Wa Posts: 56	All of mine is in my gun safe so its protected from fire, kids, thieves, moisture, thieves,etc. Cuts my safe capacity in half but it's worth it IMO

02-04-2010, 07:01 PM	#5
Cody1877 Gunslinger Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Yakima Posts: 18	Stockpiling ammo is totally rediculous, I'd never do that it could explode and like damage my house and shit.

02-05-2010, 06:13 AM	#6
GregM Rifleman Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 179	300-500 rounds of each caliber

02-06-2010, 09:13 PM	#8
aaronk Gunslinger Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Whatcom County, WA Posts: 16	1k is what I shoot for with the exception of shotgun and .22lr. Shotgun shells I keep 100 rounds of 00 buck and about a case worth of various birdshot loads. .22lr I'll keep 5k plus of. I like to have 5 mags for each caliber as well. I rotate all my ammo too. Buy a few boxes, store 'em, and shoot the oldest stuff. Stored in dry boxes in my closet.

02-17-2010, 10:42 PM	#10
reppinthe509 Rifleman Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane Posts: 236	seriously whats with this boating accident thing. ive seen it on two gun forums.

02-20-2010, 12:29 AM	#12
DerBarbarian Gunslinger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 62	I keep roughly 1,000-1,500 per rifle in a case with the cylica gel stuff, then I keep 500-700 per Pistol round again in ammo cans with cylica gel. What I would like to do is find good 1,000 round sealed spam cans for .223 and 7,62x39 I keep running into them when I already have a big stock and cant really afford to drop another 400 bucks on ammo haha.