Small or big ammo cans?

[problemchild]

I bought a ton of big ammo cans but am now thinking differently. The dang big cans are too heavy for the wife and would also be too heavy for children to haul. In the KISS thought process I like having redundancy whereby my wife can do everything I can do "just in case". With that in mind Im thinking now of switching to the smaller and much lighter cans. The big can full of ammo is 35lbs and the small is 16.8lbs.

Opinions?

[fabguy]

Very true statement, I have both sizes. My wife and daughter stuggle with one large but can carry 2 small ones, it is a matter of balance. I have 1k pistol rounds in small ones and 1k .223 in large ones as well as a mixture of each in small ones in case a "fit hits the shan" scenario. You can squeeze alot into the small cans.

[Briancnelson]

I save some weight by buying the MTM plastic cans. I buy the big ones.

If my wife gets into shooting more I'll have to buy some smaller ones though, she can't lift a fully loaded large can.

[223556]

Even though the smaller ones hold less ammo, i still like the fact they are easy to tote around. But if your strong enough I say big can is great.

[Kanoodler]

We do like both sizes...the skinny can is awesome for .22 rimfire or for day trips. But for storage, the standard large size stacks and stores so well!

[RGERBER]

I use the big one you can put ammo extra mags and a sandwich water and chips in there, also Cabelas make even larger and lighter plastic ones

[Seeker]

I vote for the small can.

[Richard Erichsen]

I bought a ton of big ammo cans but am now thinking differently. The dang big cans are too heavy for the wife and would also be too heavy for children to haul. In the KISS thought process I like having redundancy whereby my wife can do everything I can do "just in case". With that in mind Im thinking now of switching to the smaller and much lighter cans. The big can full of ammo is 35lbs and the small is 16.8lbs.

Opinions?

The .30 cal cans typically used for 200 round of belted 7.62x51 are fine. You can always use the .50 cal cans for lighter supplies that may be worth their weight in gold in an emergency (medical supplies, especially antibiotics and pain killers even vitamins).

Ammo is light compared to the clean water you'll need to store and haul with you if you have to get out of dodge quickly and cannot rely on sources of water between point of origin and your choice of destinations. Practice lifting 15, 25 and 55 gallon drums of water into the back of a truck for an appreciation of the difficulty.

R

[Californio]

I bought a ton of big ammo cans but am now thinking differently. The dang big cans are too heavy for the wife and would also be too heavy for children to haul. In the KISS thought process I like having redundancy whereby my wife can do everything I can do "just in case". With that in mind Im thinking now of switching to the smaller and much lighter cans. The big can full of ammo is 35lbs and the small is 16.8lbs.

Opinions?

Small Can should hold 800 rounds plus of 5.56 in stripper clips. I vote small.

[bob7122]

small cans are great for mobility but the big ones are great for home storage.

[RiverRunner]

I've been using the .30 cal cans for all of my .308 storage (can get 250 rounds per can) and 9mm, and .50 cal cans for shotgun shells.

Is it overkill to line the cans with a big ziploc bag and also use smaller ziploc bags to portion out 25 rounds? Is it OK to just put bare rounds in, or could there eventually be galvanic corrosion (brass/copper/lead against steel)? Has anyone stored rounds long term with no ill effect?

[gnatnoop]

I run the 30 cal ammo cans, even though I would have no problem carrying 2 50 cal cans, fully loaded, for multiple miles...

the 30 cals are the perfect size imo & hold 500 rounds of .223 perfectly

[scarville]

If I have to load up the truck for GOOD, I think not having to worry if so-and-so can carry such-and-such will make the evacuation go smoother. Everyone is going to be on edge anyways and I don't want to add unnecessary frustration to the mix. In your situation I would use the small cans for ammo and the big ones for less dense stuff.

[11HE9]

Ammo is light compared to the clean water you'll need to store and haul with you...

This is why my "Bug out kit" includes two water filtration systems. Places I would relocate to will have water all year long... I can resupply on the way, saving room/weight for ammo and other supplies.

[jyo]

I tend to have some of both---the larger ones tend to stay in one location (or are moved seldom)---the smaller one are a lot more portable. Larger caliber ammo weighs a lot more---shooting a LOT more 9mm recently!