Long term ammo storage

So once I find a load that my barrel likes, I plan on loading 10,000 rounds and calling it a day for reloading.  I imagine that’s 3 years worth of shooting 45: 200/mo plus 600 for triple crown and  EIC’s

What’s the best way to store that much ammo?  Freely in 3 large ammo box? Sort them all into 100 case boxes?

They’ll be SWC Hi-tek coated bullets if that makes a difference


Thanks!

Mark

here's a like from Winchester ammunition website that deals with this topic. hope it helps.
https://winchester.com/Blog/2016/12/how-to-properly-and-safely-store-ammunition-in-the-off-season

Brownells also recently released a video regarding the same topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFE-pECYosc

i recently posted a question regarding sealing the primer which some advocate as well:
https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t24032-sealing-primers-and-projectiles-do-you-and-if-so-with-what-product?highlight=sealing

You can load it and then store it in bulk (loose in a big box).  Just remember 45 ACP are heavy.  So keep the boxes relatively small.  I have found that “30 Cal Ammo Cans” can store 300-500 rounds of 45 Ammo.  The “50 Cal” size cans can store up to 1000, but they’re very heavy.  Ammo cans are a good way to store ammunition too.  They have a seal and if you keep the cans in a cool and dry place, the ammo will be good for decades. 

I do caution about loading 10000 rounds in one go.     I’ve found that loading in 2500 to 3000 batches to be adequate.  If your skills improve you might find that other bullets shoot better…

Wobbley wrote:You can load it and then store it in bulk (loose in a big box).  Just remember 45 ACP are heavy.  So keep the boxes relatively small.  I have found that “30 Cal Ammo Cans” can store 300-500 rounds of 45 Ammo.  The “50 Cal” size cans can store up to 1000, but they’re very heavy.  Ammo cans are a good way to store ammunition too.  They have a seal and if you keep the cans in a cool and dry place, the ammo will be good for decades. 

I do caution about loading 10000 rounds in one go.     I’ve found that loading in 2500 to 3000 batches to be adequate.  If your skills improve you might find that other bullets shoot better…

Other bullets shoot better as you get better?  What was your experience with that?

One issue with loading a ton all at the same time is the potential of something happening in your process that you don’t notice until you try and shoot a lot of ammo. I recommend taking notes during loading process, I keep track of date loaded, primer lot, powder lot, load specifications, ect.

One downside of loading a lot of dedicated ammo specifically for one gun, what if you get a different one or have to rebarrel for some reason.

I store ammo in mtm ammo boxes in plastic ammo cans. I have not seen any issues from storing ammo in this way.

I started with Cast exclusively.  But I’ve found them to be spotty in accuracy.  One batch is solid X-ring at 25 others barely hold the 10 ring.  But jacketed are much more consistent.  Jacketed are too expensive, however, to shoot as a steady load. Now if I could shoot like Jon Shue, I would only shoot the best.

Being that you live in LA, you might be up against some local laws on keeping and storing ammo. I keep my .45 ACP reloads in plastic boxes and then put them in the large "20mm ammo cans". I sometimes keep those small desiccant packs in each large ammo can. Everything is in an unfinished basement. I keep a dehumidifier on 24/7. Not only do my reloads stay good, my primers, powder and reloading equipment stays GTG. https://www.amazon.com/Dry-Packs-Silica-Gel-Desiccant-40gm/dp/B006L882NM/ref=asc_df_B006L882NM?mcid=53a7c4a694b2331fb3027afae5fbecb2&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693270340074&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12415718650156805054&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016466&hvtargid=pla-308475246931&psc=1

BE Mike wrote:Being that you live in LA, you might be up against some local laws on keeping and storing ammo. I keep my .45 ACP reloads in plastic boxes and then put them in the large "20mm ammo cans". I sometimes keep those small desiccant packs in each large ammo can. Everything is in an unfinished basement. I keep a dehumidifier on 24/7. Not only do my reloads stay good, my primers, powder and reloading equipment stays GTG. https://www.amazon.com/Dry-Packs-Silica-Gel-Desiccant-40gm/dp/B006L882NM/ref=asc_df_B006L882NM?mcid=53a7c4a694b2331fb3027afae5fbecb2&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693270340074&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12415718650156805054&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016466&hvtargid=pla-308475246931&psc=1

Thanks for bringing that up!

For those living in Los Angeles, that limit is 500lbs.

LenV wrote:

What’s the oldest ammo you have, Len?

I have some mini ball. That probably doesn't count. Quite a lot of WW-2 30-40 Craig. 30 cal (30-06) and some 1950's hardball. 71&72 white box 45 national match and a lot of rifle ammo loaded after 1970. My lead 45 ammo were all loaded after 2012. The older stuff all stored in metal army surplus cans. One of my 30mm morter cans has 1100 rounds of hardball in it. It's friggn heavy. 

LenV wrote:I have some mini ball. That probably doesn't count. Quite a lot of WW-2 30-40 Craig. 30 cal (30-06) and some 1950's hardball. 71&72 white box 45 national match and a lot of rifle ammo loaded after 1970. My lead 45 ammo were all loaded after 2012. The older stuff all stored in metal army surplus cans. One of my 30mm morter cans has 1100 rounds of hardball in it. It's friggn heavy. 

Wow!

Does that 1950 ammo still hold the black?


Do you subscribe to dessicant in ammo boxes? I remember reading people advised against it, I think it had to do with likelier chance of static charge and explosives.  Like the one story of a guy who blew his primer holder from static

https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/291195-any-primer-detonation-problems-with-xl750/

For your 500 pounds…I’d argue that would be powder and prime compound only (energetics).  With a typical 45 target load is 4.5 grains and 1 grain for the primers, that means you’d have a limit of about 600,000 rounds.  Not all of the weight of the brass and bullet should count.

Does that 1950 ammo still hold the black? I'm not sure if it held the black in 1950. Think grease gun, Thompson or $12.00 1911s. If you are asking if it is as good as it was then I would say yes. I've got the perfect 2024 instrument to test that.

LenV wrote:Does that 1950 ammo still hold the black? I'm not sure if it held the black in 1950. Think grease gun, Thompson or $12.00 1911s. If you are asking if it is as good as it was then I would say yes. I've got the perfect 2024 instrument to test that.

 Nice gun porn! Now available in 10mm, just not to us residents here in the PRNY

"Do you subscribe to dessicant in ammo boxes?"

The problem with dessicant is it does what it is supposed to.  It absorbs and holds moisture.  If the amount of moisture is limited (air tight container and adequate quantity of dessicant) it will create a dry environment.  If the container is  not air tight the dessicant will continue to absorb moisture from the environment and may create a more humid condition.

Dessicant in contact with metal can be a problem as the dessicant absorbs and holds moisture, it can cause rust or corrosion.  If you are going in and out of the ammo box then either remove the dessicant or rejuvenate it (put in oven).

Never load up too much…tastes and desires change. Not to mention errors….

MkFiji wrote:

Thanks for bringing that up!

For those living in Los Angeles, that limit is 500lbs.

Is that total weight of the ammunition or Net Explosive Weight?
Net Explosive Weight is the combined weight of ONLY the primers.

I use Cabela's "Dry Storage" tote for loaded ammunition and coffee cans for fired brass. I have not had an issue in over a decade.