Ammo Question

[Kings4sap]

I'm trying to create more efficiency with my ammo storage. Is there any down side to simply emptying multiple 50 round boxes into small bulk ammo crates to create more space? If I do this my plan is to only consolidate similar brand/manufacturers into one crate. This will get rid of the cardboard & spacers creating more space. I'd also mark the crate with the brand and purchase date.

Seems logical and without flaw but before doing it I wanted to see if I was missing something.

[Preston-CLB]

Sounds workable, but I would add grain weight and bullet type along with caliber, manufacturer, and brand.
-P

[ABR]

[SG29736]

Definitely label it and have only one type of ammo. If you don't 6 months later it's easy to forget and get confused about what's in there.

[foothillman]

I try and keep lot number with rounds.
No real need, recall ?
Much harder with 50rd box.
More work.....rip off lot # put in ziplock bag.
The cans get very very heavy 60lbs.
Also keep a box or buy plastic ammo holders for going to range.

[SkyHawk]

Downsides are you have no way to track lot numbers when there is a recall, unless *all* the ammo in a can came from the same lot, and that is difficult to achieve - and then you must be sure to never mix ammo from any other lot with it. And you absolutely kill your resale value of the ammo or the value-add if you package it with a gun for sale.

I simply will not buy ammo from people that is not in the factory packaging. And when I see a gun for sale that has such ammo included, I assign zero extra value to the ammo. I have passed on gun deals here because the included ammo had been removed from factory packaging. It may be less of an issue with cheap 22lr or 9mm, but when you start talking pricey ammo like 50AE or 45-70 - no way am I paying anything for unboxed bulk ammo.

[SharedShots]

Something to consider: moving it.

This may sound hokey but if there is a need to move that ammo having it in very heavy containers can make it nearly impossible to do quickly or without help. Why would you need to do this? Ask anyone who has been through fires or any other event where getting out quickly but not instantly.

There is insurance and just worrying about life but there could be a time when you have at least enough warning to deal with getting things like guns and ammo out of there. Material things can be replaced but it can be a real pain.

Its the same with guns. You should have at least as many cases for transport as you have guns. They too can be replaced in most situations but the process might be a long time coming and with enough guns it could takes literally years to buy them again given the 30 day waits and so on not to mention inventory shortages and of course the much higher prices for certain models.

As someone said, put it on pallets because at least then with a pallet mover you move it from place to place. A couple of 4x6s with high weight rated wheels and tires will also work.

The argument against storing in bulk containers? If a box gets contaminated and corrodes or otherwise becomes degraded it affects that one box. Put all the ammo together and any moisture that condenses on the bottom will eventually affect all the ammo so you should take some precautions to keep the ammo dry. The last thing you want is a container of 3000 rounds with green and corroded cases.

As for not buying bulk stored ammo not in factory boxes, if you are buying ammo from a private party you have no idea if it was all stored mumbo jumbo and put into boxes for the same. 115 grain 9mm could be put into boxes marked 124 grain or vice versa. Boxes are nice but rather meaningless unless it comes from a store you can go back to if something goes awry.

[saudadeii]

For some of the cases I bought (packed in 50 round boxes, same lot), I just tear off the box tab, put in a ziploc and dump the box or two of ammo in it, seal it up and into an ammo box.

I do keep different brands, weights and bullet type separate and often they stay in their original boxes.

Perhaps one day I'll get a vacuum sealer and a palette of desiccant and repackage most of it.

[gwanghoops]

I just tear off the box tab, put in a ziploc and dump the box or two of ammo in it, seal it up and into an ammo box.

^^^^

labelled ziplock bags into ammo cans and crates.

just sucks if you want to resell.
ammo in original boxes is somehow much more sexier.

[plumbum]

I don’t mix different varieties of ammo, and I tear off the flap with the brand/weight/lot number and stick that on the cans. Also I only use the .30 or the mini cans in plastic, because loading a steel can full of rounds gets pretty heavy, and I don’t need to take 1500 rounds of 9mm to the range!

[newbutold]

I went back to using original boxes........stuff gets heavy.

[champu]

[SkyHawk]

As for not buying bulk stored ammo not in factory boxes, if you are buying ammo from a private party you have no idea if it was all stored mumbo jumbo and put into boxes for the same. 115 grain 9mm could be put into boxes marked 124 grain or vice versa. Boxes are nice but rather meaningless unless it comes from a store you can go back to if something goes awry.

If you buy from reputable sellers it less of a concern. If you are buying enough ammo or from somebody where it is a concern, pulling and weighing a bullet takes seconds. You can also examine headstamps pretty quick, and usually the general appearance of the box and ammo can say a lot.

And it is hard to come up with 10, 20 or 50 pristine empty factory boxes that are the exact same if you just happen years later to decide you want to sell a thousand rounds and try and fool somebody.

For some ammo, the amount of room you save is minimal. 12/20ga shotgun shells for example - may as well just keep those in the factory packaging.

I get why people would bag and dump ammo, sure it may save a little room - but I'm not the one buying it later when you move out of a caliber or sell the gun. If you have $500 worth of ammo to store that is one thing, maybe the hit you take is no big deal. But if you have $20,000 in ammo and your plan is to dump it into bulk containers and throw away the factory packaging... well seriously wth are you thinking.

[Kings4sap]

Some great stuff here. First off - Foothillman > impressive photos of your storage. I'm seriously not worthy - ha! Wow on just what you are showing.

I think I may just take small amounts (a few thousand rounds) and break them up based on what is next in line to take to the range. I like the idea that was posted of plastic bagging 100 round lots (tearing off the box/lot tab as noted) that are easy to store in a crate and then pull bags out when it comes to range time. I just ordered some ammo box organizers. I can't even imagine selling anything right now. I am still buying! I do get that resale gets hurt once outside the factory box. That is why I like my hybrid plan of bagging just pending range use ammo.

You guys are awesome as usual. Thanks for the great feedback.

[hermosabeach]

A couple years back costco had steel Ammo can combo
1 30 cal and 1 50 cal can for $18

They sold a ton of them. I imagine a lot of Ammo is now in those cans