Checkout my KIT PAGE - Parts List & Links for Builds AND Discount Codes all in 1 Place! www.tacticalfellowship.com/ These are the silica packets I use (affiliate link) amzn.to/3YIswv0
The overall storage location matters. I spent 20 years in the military working in ammo magazines/bunkers (huge room sized ammo storage compartments) in ordnance departments all over the world that were strictly climate controlled. Every day, 365, one or several people would physically go inside and check the internal temperature, recorded, logged, and included in a daily/morning material safety report to the commanding officer. Every day without fail. Most small arms ammo cans have ammo in them that are boxed and braced with cardboard. There are no moisture exorbing silicate packages inside. I've personally handled, shot, and resecured ammo from the 1940s. No problem. Storing ammo in a garage/shed/secret hidey hole in a local/state that isn't dry most of the year is going to be a problem. I store my ammo in MTM boxes and cardboard boxes inside a large weapon safe with a dehumidifier rod in it. No moisture. No rust. No degradation.
I was about to say the same thing. Ordnance was my job. There is nothing special about the containers except checking temperatures. Some containers have cardboard inside, others plastic. You use metal containers to prevent damage if a cartridge unexpectedly goes off and for HERO.
I have used some of these for ammo storage for over 20 years in shed outside . It still shoots fine . temps here are over 100 degrees to in the minus degrees . I am still shooting ammo that has been stored in these plastic ammo cans since 1983. They are probably older than that because my dad reloaded them and he died in 1983 . I didnt start using silica packets until 2 years ago .
milage will vary, in my damp basement with dehumidifier running constantly my silica packets were needing recharge WAYYYYy more frequently than was convenient... Upstairs in a more temperature controlled closet, yep, I can see how they'd do better there:)
No matter how many people I say this too they still roll their eyes in support of MTM cans. Yet their ammo sits in their closet safe a sound. Even then it’s still letting air and moisture in. But it also about protecting your ammo if and when the cans have to be out in the elements. The PNW where I live is not exactly a dry place.
I double vacuum seal all my long term ammo. It makes it easy to stack in 100rd bags, and you can see the silica incase a bag pops and moisture gets in. Yes, Mylar is the “better” option. But I prefer seeing the the round in the bag and the silica
I have/had some small pistol primers from the 1970s. They were in their cardboard packaging just sitting in a bag in my garage for at least 5 years. And who knows how long before I got the. They all worked fine, no sign of corrosion.
I disagree, I’ve used MTM ammo cans storing thousands of rounds for 17 years in the back of my warehouse in 100+ degree weather. We found them when remodeling, pulled out the ammo which looked like it was brand new, and fired without a hitch. Sorry dude I think your wrong.
My dude, moisture IS getting into them cans, that is not so good, also storing preps in a 100+ degree warehouse not so good! But my dude, grateful for guys that think like you!
I love when people say, it was stored in a dry warehouse and it was ok 😂. If your pushing 100 degree temps your not really worried about water or pushing the limits of a can.. It’s about making sure your ammo will be ok should the unthinkable happen, not just when it’s sitting in your closet in the dark, or in some warehouse.
I use them for range only. I use only 50 and SAW for long term storage. My range cans usually last about 6 months, and I do put the blue silica in them. They are pink within 6 months, opening or not. I have blue silica pods in metal surplus cans that has been blue, or maybe purple for over 10 years.
Plastic/polymer is porous. So water can get in through the body of the container itself. That's why metal cans work better, nothing to do with the seal. But it will slow down changes in humidity. For me ammo goes in metal ammo cans. primers and powder go into mtm cans and crates. I don't want anything that will contain any pressure and will melt with heat. THANK YOU for turning me onto those silica gel packs. just bought some.
Leaving ammo in their cardboard containers is a factor. The cardoard a ts as a moisture suck. I leave mine in cardboard for that reason. You ever see the old surplus ammo. Stuff is 70 years old, wrapped in cardboard or paper. Paper will be kinda yellow, but brass is shinning.
I never store loose rounds in an ammo can. Either factory boxes, or I have those large MTM boxes you show there, and inside each one are multiple MTM 100 rd ammo boxes. I also have the smaller MTM ammo crates full of primers and 40 gram dessicant mini cans, IN cardboard primer boxes, so that constant about cardboard being a moisture problem isn’t always exactly the case. I don’t know how else I’d store thousands of primers. I have .45 ACP that’s been in the old slightly thicker MTM 100 rd boxes since 1985 with no silica gel, kept indoors and it still looks brand new. I also have thousands of rounds of factory ammo in the cardboard boxes in MTM plastic, GI .30’s and .50’s and mortar round cans, and Cabelas dry boxes that seal out all moisture. Like you I do prefer the GI cans, but like the larger MTM double latch cans with the 100 rounders because I can just grab a couple of those for the range. Personally I think the issue is more about where you’re storing it, and in what conditions, than what it’s in. If I were leaving ammo outside or in a place with fluctuating temps and constant exposure to moisture, AND leaving the rounds loose in the can, sure, but for inside storage the MTM cans work great and have for me for 40 years. YMMV. By the way, if you have the floor space, they say the floor of an interior closet is perfect, as it’s dry, constant temp, and very still air.
lots of good info in this comment, thanks for sharing it with us! Agree completely on where you're storing it, my luck has always been in high humidity unfinished basements or high humidity southern garages...
Plastic cans are junk for actual storage, you can just look at the hinged area when its closed & see the seal doesnt completely mate with the plastic. I only use them for transport of ammo to the range.
agreed, I use mine as bins for accessories and the like, just doesn't have the force/pressure in its construction to actually seal the gasket like a boss...
How long are you storing the ammo for? you aren't buying pallets of ammo so you should be going through your inventory anyway if you actually go shooting. Your supply should always be cycled through. Similar to when you have a bunker with supplies. those supplies might have expiration dates and are always swapped out with new.
Issue I had is that the silica packets needed recharging WAYYYYYYY more frequently than. my steel ammo can stuff. To your point though, which is a good one, I have special rounds, boutique even, that aren't in rotation and never will be, certain hunting rounds and the like, not just fmj. That's the kinda stuff you just want stored, sealed and forget about it till you need it. MTM cans just a little to much humidly babysitting for my like:)
@@TacticalFellowship Ah. Gotcha. In that case, higher quality storage is desired for that scenario. plastic cans are on the cheaper side which fits other scenarios such as short term organization and storage.
No problems here and I have been using for years... Although they are also stored in a environmentally controlled cabinet.. 😂🤣 I'll have to take one of each and tap a valve in them, pull a vacuum and see how long each lasts. But I also put certain quantities in vacuum sealed bags as well for long term storage and bury them in various areas so when the zombies come I have a path of goodies... Or are the zombies here now? Hard to tell these days with all the sheep walking around... 😂🤣
The pet is my ammo can. Hello there pretty little pet, I love you. And then I stroke it, and I pet it, and I massage it. Hehe I love it! Plus side is the esthetic of the metal can with paint pen or tape label is better than the pretty bullet stickers on plastic cans, in my opinion.
It stands for Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. As in, “I don’t like that gun store. The owner is always spewing FUD about government gun grabbing to justify his ammo prices.”
Checkout my KIT PAGE - Parts List & Links for Builds AND Discount Codes all in 1 Place!
www.tacticalfellowship.com/
These are the silica packets I use (affiliate link) amzn.to/3YIswv0
The overall storage location matters. I spent 20 years in the military working in ammo magazines/bunkers (huge room sized ammo storage compartments) in ordnance departments all over the world that were strictly climate controlled. Every day, 365, one or several people would physically go inside and check the internal temperature, recorded, logged, and included in a daily/morning material safety report to the commanding officer. Every day without fail.
Most small arms ammo cans have ammo in them that are boxed and braced with cardboard. There are no moisture exorbing silicate packages inside.
I've personally handled, shot, and resecured ammo from the 1940s. No problem.
Storing ammo in a garage/shed/secret hidey hole in a local/state that isn't dry most of the year is going to be a problem.
I store my ammo in MTM boxes and cardboard boxes inside a large weapon safe with a dehumidifier rod in it. No moisture. No rust. No degradation.
fascinating info thanks for sharing my dude!
@@TacticalFellowship Fuds lead the way.
I was about to say the same thing. Ordnance was my job. There is nothing special about the containers except checking temperatures. Some containers have cardboard inside, others plastic. You use metal containers to prevent damage if a cartridge unexpectedly goes off and for HERO.
I have used some of these for ammo storage for over 20 years in shed outside . It still shoots fine . temps here are over 100 degrees to in the minus degrees .
I am still shooting ammo that has been stored in these plastic ammo cans since 1983. They are probably older than that because my dad reloaded them and he died in 1983 .
I didnt start using silica packets until 2 years ago .
For long time storage, i use vacume bags and a MTM can.
The rubber seal on surplus cans is most likely pretty old and will become brittle.
I’ve had mine in MTM cans for at least 7 years. Recharged my dehumidifiers twice a year. Keep in my closest. Still good as new
milage will vary, in my damp basement with dehumidifier running constantly my silica packets were needing recharge WAYYYYy more frequently than was convenient... Upstairs in a more temperature controlled closet, yep, I can see how they'd do better there:)
@@TacticalFellowship.....were you leaving these cans in your damp basement?
@@dc7433exactly! Rule #1 would obviously be to store the ammo in an area that isn’t prone to humidity 🥴 but let’s blame the boxes
They are fine as long as your room is not humid or no constant and drastic temperature changes.
No matter how many people I say this too they still roll their eyes in support of MTM cans. Yet their ammo sits in their closet safe a sound. Even then it’s still letting air and moisture in. But it also about protecting your ammo if and when the cans have to be out in the elements. The PNW where I live is not exactly a dry place.
I double vacuum seal all my long term ammo. It makes it easy to stack in 100rd bags, and you can see the silica incase a bag pops and moisture gets in. Yes, Mylar is the “better” option. But I prefer seeing the the round in the bag and the silica
I have a few of the 30cal cans and I just checked humidity other day after 2yrs their still on 26-28%
I have/had some small pistol primers from the 1970s. They were in their cardboard packaging just sitting in a bag in my garage for at least 5 years. And who knows how long before I got the. They all worked fine, no sign of corrosion.
I disagree, I’ve used MTM ammo cans storing thousands of rounds for 17 years in the back of my warehouse in 100+ degree weather. We found them when remodeling, pulled out the ammo which looked like it was brand new, and fired without a hitch. Sorry dude I think your wrong.
My dude, moisture IS getting into them cans, that is not so good, also storing preps in a 100+ degree warehouse not so good! But my dude, grateful for guys that think like you!
I love when people say, it was stored in a dry warehouse and it was ok 😂. If your pushing 100 degree temps your not really worried about water or pushing the limits of a can.. It’s about making sure your ammo will be ok should the unthinkable happen, not just when it’s sitting in your closet in the dark, or in some warehouse.
Bro thinks high temperature = humidity lol
I use them for range only. I use only 50 and SAW for long term storage. My range cans usually last about 6 months, and I do put the blue silica in them. They are pink within 6 months, opening or not. I have blue silica pods in metal surplus cans that has been blue, or maybe purple for over 10 years.
@@TacticalFellowship He just said it was firing fine after 17 years.
Organizing ammo in ziplock bags works pretty well. Even in storage for over a decade.
copy that, actually have freezer bags w/ a silica packet I'm keeping ammo in as well, even that better than MTM can:)
Plastic/polymer is porous. So water can get in through the body of the container itself. That's why metal cans work better, nothing to do with the seal. But it will slow down changes in humidity. For me ammo goes in metal ammo cans. primers and powder go into mtm cans and crates. I don't want anything that will contain any pressure and will melt with heat. THANK YOU for turning me onto those silica gel packs. just bought some.
I actually started storing my powder in Igloo coolers to avoid the sealed pressure danger and rapid temperature swings...
@@TacticalFellowship another great option!
After I calculated my hunting and precision ammo’s value I bought Pelicans LOL
Leaving ammo in their cardboard containers is a factor. The cardoard a ts as a moisture suck. I leave mine in cardboard for that reason. You ever see the old surplus ammo. Stuff is 70 years old, wrapped in cardboard or paper. Paper will be kinda yellow, but brass is shinning.
I was thinking the same thing. I leave mine in the cardboard to.
Thank You sir 🫡
Could you not put a bead of silicon around the seal area?
you could but I'm not sure the latch mechanism has the pressure required to make it airtight...
I never store loose rounds in an ammo can. Either factory boxes, or I have those large MTM boxes you show there, and inside each one are multiple MTM 100 rd ammo boxes. I also have the smaller MTM ammo crates full of primers and 40 gram dessicant mini cans, IN cardboard primer boxes, so that constant about cardboard being a moisture problem isn’t always exactly the case. I don’t know how else I’d store thousands of primers.
I have .45 ACP that’s been in the old slightly thicker MTM 100 rd boxes since 1985 with no silica gel, kept indoors and it still looks brand new. I also have thousands of rounds of factory ammo in the cardboard boxes in MTM plastic, GI .30’s and .50’s and mortar round cans, and Cabelas dry boxes that seal out all moisture. Like you I do prefer the GI cans, but like the larger MTM double latch cans with the 100 rounders because I can just grab a couple of those for the range.
Personally I think the issue is more about where you’re storing it, and in what conditions, than what it’s in. If I were leaving ammo outside or in a place with fluctuating temps and constant exposure to moisture, AND leaving the rounds loose in the can, sure, but for inside storage the MTM cans work great and have for me for 40 years. YMMV. By the way, if you have the floor space, they say the floor of an interior closet is perfect, as it’s dry, constant temp, and very still air.
lots of good info in this comment, thanks for sharing it with us! Agree completely on where you're storing it, my luck has always been in high humidity unfinished basements or high humidity southern garages...
Oh Damm that sucks cause they looked good to go.
Thanks for the review of the mTm cans!!!
Plastic cans are junk for actual storage, you can just look at the hinged area when its closed & see the seal doesnt completely mate with the plastic. I only use them for transport of ammo to the range.
agreed, I use mine as bins for accessories and the like, just doesn't have the force/pressure in its construction to actually seal the gasket like a boss...
How many grams are those silica packets?
I wear socks with my sandals...
I bet you do;)
@@TacticalFellowship lmao
How long are you storing the ammo for? you aren't buying pallets of ammo so you should be going through your inventory anyway if you actually go shooting. Your supply should always be cycled through. Similar to when you have a bunker with supplies. those supplies might have expiration dates and are always swapped out with new.
Issue I had is that the silica packets needed recharging WAYYYYYYY more frequently than. my steel ammo can stuff. To your point though, which is a good one, I have special rounds, boutique even, that aren't in rotation and never will be, certain hunting rounds and the like, not just fmj. That's the kinda stuff you just want stored, sealed and forget about it till you need it. MTM cans just a little to much humidly babysitting for my like:)
@@TacticalFellowship Ah. Gotcha. In that case, higher quality storage is desired for that scenario. plastic cans are on the cheaper side which fits other scenarios such as short term organization and storage.
I made the same mistake! The plastic cans are no good
Good for organization, not so good for ammo preservation…
Just bought one of the can kinda curious if i put a bead of silicone around where the o ring is let it dry then close it if it will help
that'll probs help but I think the lid to body tolerance is just not tight enough to effectively force air tight seal..
Thing is to find steel cans that aren't in trash condition.
one hundred percent... there's really not a better option on the market that the humble milspec ammo can.
For the algorithm
Mmmm algo food
No problems here and I have been using for years... Although they are also stored in a environmentally controlled cabinet.. 😂🤣
I'll have to take one of each and tap a valve in them, pull a vacuum and see how long each lasts.
But I also put certain quantities in vacuum sealed bags as well for long term storage and bury them in various areas so when the zombies come I have a path of goodies... Or are the zombies here now? Hard to tell these days with all the sheep walking around... 😂🤣
How do you explain that ? Have you tried to put MTN under water for example during one week ? It would check their waterproofness.
MTM says their ammo boxes aren't submersible.
what size of the silica packs did you use for your cans??
these!
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VCP35GT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
@@TacticalFellowship Thanks! I'll grab some!
The pet is my ammo can. Hello there pretty little pet, I love you. And then I stroke it, and I pet it, and I massage it. Hehe I love it!
Plus side is the esthetic of the metal can with paint pen or tape label is better than the pretty bullet stickers on plastic cans, in my opinion.
Ripped tape, bad handwriting and paint pen so earthy so real!!!
(I knew I should’ve cut that footage;)
Tommy Boy
Stacking it that way is putting all the weight on the seals
That’s what I hoped but alas it’s not what happened…
What does fud mean?
as in Elmer Fudd, a gun guy who's like Elmer Fudd from Looney Tunes;)
It stands for Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. As in, “I don’t like that gun store. The owner is always spewing FUD about government gun grabbing to justify his ammo prices.”