Ammo cans

[Jifplumb]

Just got some nice ammo cans and they had the silica packets in them. Filling with ammo and question is should I leave the silica packets in there? Will they help or hurt the ammo? Feeling like its not a bad idea but been wrong plenty of times in my life.... What's the board suggest?

[baih777]

It won't hurt.

[Maximus28]

Yes, you should leave some silica packets in the can with your ammo.

[CoopsDad]

I save the silica packets from everything and, when I have a decent amount, I run them through the oven for a half hour at 225*-250*. It supposedly drives off the moisture they collected during their journey to my house. I seal them in a mason jar to keep them from absorbing any moisture until it's time to throw a few into a can of ammo.

Saw it on the internet and my cartridges are rust free so far.

[Garv]

Dry them like CoopsDad says, then put them in the can.

If they are larger bags, maybe go for an hour or so in the oven.

[Mayor McRifle]

I save the silica packets from everything and, when I have a decent amount, I run them through the oven for a half hour at 225*-250*. It supposedly drives off the moisture they collected during their journey to my house. I seal them in a mason jar to keep them from absorbing any moisture until it's time to throw a few into a can of ammo.

Saw it on the internet and my cartridges are rust free so far.

Did your ammo get rusty in ammo cans before you started using silica packets?

I've never used them, and I've never had ammo get rusty in ammo cans.

[baih777]

Did your ammo get rusty in ammo cans before you started using silica packets?

I've never used them, and I've never had ammo get rusty in ammo cans.

I have ammo cans with steel cased AK ammo from the 80's no silica and no rust. cant shoot them bi-metal bullets.
but a packet of silica doesn't hurt.
a packet of silica is cheaper than a ammo can full of ammo.

[GW]

I have seen brass with corrosion. I bought surplus 30-06 loaded in en bloc clips with blue corrosion on a lot of the cases. So, Yes ammo can corrode
The silica packs are useful keeping moisture at bay and at worst...
they can't hurt.

[kmas]

Just got some nice ammo cans and they had the silica packets in them. Filling with ammo and question is should I leave the silica packets in there? Will they help or hurt the ammo? Feeling like its not a bad idea but been wrong plenty of times in my life.... What's the board suggest?

Do dry them in the oven. Water boils at 212 deg F, so heat at about 250 .
Paper does not burn until 451degF, so you'll be fine setting the oven at 250degF

However, you can buy new silica gel or desiccant packs and use those.

As others have said, extra bags must be sealed (I double Ziplock bag them)

[Chameleon Loco]

I should probably throw a couple silica packets in my ammo cans but they are stored inside my house so I'm too worried about them

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Divernhunter]

I never do and have never had any trouble. I have about 48 cans with ammo now and some of it has been in cans since the 1960's. Most is stored in my garage.

[bigbearbear]

I'm just curious, why would you bother if you're storing brass cased ammo?

[Killer Bee]

I don't bother either.. posted in ammo thread recently

good luck whatever you decide

[baih777]

I'm just curious, why would you bother if you're storing brass cased ammo?

Brass can oxidize.
the cardboard the ammo is in sometimes could have moisture in it. The cardboard will then mildew or grow mold. Then it ruins the ammo. Those supposedly sealed surplus AK ammo crates and 7.62x 54R have this happen. When I buy this type of ammo, I always open it and check it. Then put into ammo cans or store with silica.