AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/29/2011 2:05:22 AM EDT
|
I have my fair share of fmj rounds for various calibers all stocked in .50 cal cans with dessicant. Most of those are just mil surp rounds and all are loose packed.
Now i also have a few hundred rounds of T2 and .223 TAP ammo as well as a few boxes of other more pricey defense ammo. I like to keep my ammo sorted by caliber and type. All xm855 together, xm193 together, T2 TAP together, .45 american eagle together, etc.... I just ordered some .30 cal cans to further sort my TAP as id like to have my T2 seperate from my .223 tap and i also have a few boxes of the 62gr barrier shtuff. Since these types of ammo are more pricey, i like to keep them in their boxes; same goes with all of my defense/carry handgun ammo. But i have read that the cardboard is capable of retaining moisture and it also takes up a bunch of room. What i have noticed is that out of all of my dessicant packs, i have only had to recharge the ones in the cans with the boxed ammo. Additionally, those are the cans i open the least since i dig into the lake city stuff for plinking and rotating stock. Do you all recommend unpacking my pricier ammo and pack it loosely in a can? Or even on stripper clips? I did just get a striplula and its pretty friggen awesome. What would be even better is if some of you could remark on how you keep your stash stored. Once again, thanks all. |
|
Yes, cardboard will retain the initial moisture some, but after changing/recharging the dessicant packs a couple times you won't see the moisture indicators change.
If you decide to keep ammo loose packed or on stripper clips keep the different lot numbers separate and with some sort of identification. If there's a recall of a certain lot number you'll be able to tell if you're affected. Also, if you have a problem with one lot of ammo you'll be able to tell the manufacturer what lot number it came out of. That said I keep a combination of original boxed ammunition along with loaded mags and ammo on stripper clips. I use a variety of ammo cans from 30cal to 40mm. I never mix years if it's surplus or lot numbers if it's commercial. I also keep dessicant in cans that I don't frequently open, but don't bother using dessicant in my plinking ammo cans as it can be stored under normal conditions for years and years without problems and recharging dessicant can be expensive electrically wise and time consuming. Now that it's starting to get cooler any ammo that gets shipped to you should sit inside your home for a week or two before getting stored in cans. The extra moisture from temperature changes while getting shipped can and does wreak havoc with dessicant (don't ask me how I know  )
Finally, if you have any '93 or '94 German DAG or MEN in sealed battle packs open the packs and check the ammo. The cardboard from those years have caused a lot of ammo to tarnish prematurely. As far as I know those are the only years and manufacturers affected. |
|
Thank you both. Good to know info. I had a feeling the initial moisture would be sucked out and no further issues to worry but i wasnt sure.
I definitley know what you mean about the cold. I usually take all of the ammo out of the boxes and let it sit for a few hours in the open to raise to room temp. Thanks again. |
|
Call me overcautious, but what would you guys say to loading some TAP in Pmags and then vacuum packing them for when the zombies attack? I have a FoodSaver unit and was thinking that for preserving the quality of the ammo that a vacuum seal - perhaps with some dessicant in there also - might be the way to go. Your thoughts? |
|
Quoted:
Call me overcautious, but what would you guys say to loading some TAP in Pmags and then vacuum packing them for when the zombies attack? I have a FoodSaver unit and was thinking that for preserving the quality of the ammo that a vacuum seal - perhaps with some dessicant in there also - might be the way to go. Your thoughts? Overkill. Ammo could sit in a closet for years without being climate controlled and still be good go to. You can buy ammo cans cheap. grab one throw in a dessicant package and how ever many magaiznes you feel you need for zombies and then put it somewhere, where the temperatures don't swing to extremes and it will last for longer than you will be alive. |
|
Quoted:
Call me overcautious, but what would you guys say to loading some TAP in Pmags and then vacuum packing them for when the zombies attack? I have a FoodSaver unit and was thinking that for preserving the quality of the ammo that a vacuum seal - perhaps with some dessicant in there also - might be the way to go. Your thoughts? Way overkill. It's ammo, not deli meat. It'll last for decades just being kept dry in an interior closet (ie, no big temperature extremes). |
|
Quoted:
Well, though I'm relieved to hear vacuum packing is overkill, I have to admit that I'm somewhat disappointed. I was kinda looking forward to referring to them as my "Z-rations".  Get you some Z-corr bags and store the ammo in them and stick em in ammo cans and theyll out last you |
AR Sponsor