Storing Ammunition
I have my ammo stored in G.I. ammo cans in my garage. I was wondering if the cold of the winter and below freezing temps would be in any way harmful? It gets below zero here quite a few nights and the garage is not heated. Will this be a problem for the ammo I have stores out there?
Thanks for your replys!
Chris8161
Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!
Thanks for your replys!
Chris8161
Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!
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I'm thinking of buying some large quanities of ammo. By the case maybe, just so I can save on the cost.
Anyway, due to the layout of my house, and the fact that I've got little space and alot of stuff cluttered around, I was thinking of storing the ammo in a storage shed. But... the shed is not climate controlled. I know rooms that are sealed off like with no air flow can get very hot, and in the summer in Florida I've heard sheds can approach 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
I'm not worried about degrading the ammo or anything because it will be unopened in its original containers. But do you think it is possible the rounds could get so hot they could ignite? I don't know how much heat it takes to make smokeless powder go off, but I do know that typical fires are much hotter than a mere 150 degrees. But still I don't want to take any chances if it isn't safe.
What do you think? In general how stable is ammo?0 -
I think moisture would be a problem. The ammo getting cold and then warming up may cause condensation to form on the cans. I don't know if it could get inside since the cans have a rubber gasket, but putting the ammo in a temperature controlled environment would be best, in my opinion.
Better to have and not need, than need and not have.0 -
If you threw a new or recharged dessicant pack in and sealed the can and didn't open except when you need ammo you should be fine.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
Maybe I better bring the ammo indoors for the winter. Thanks for the input!
Chris8161
Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!0 -
Actually, a cool, dry climate is perfect for ammunition storage. Military magazines have to be kept cool at all times, that was one of the few places aboard ship that was air conditioned.
Heat will break down warheads and propellent to the point where you may get a misfire or worse.
Outside cold is fine as long as it is dry.
A man who starts imagining that others think good because he does is simply out of his mind
It behooves one to be wary when among strangers and not to trust too much L'Amour0 -
It is very dry here in Wyoming and if the ammo is stored in G.I. cans, it shouldn't degrade, should it? I just don't have the room in the house to bring the ammo indoors!
Chris8161
Admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!0 -
Chris,
That's fine. You run more risk taking a cold box into a warm house than visa-versa.
HISTORY LESSON: During WWII on the Russian Front, German solders always left their weapons outdoors while they went inside to warm up. They found that bringing them in, they would get condensation on them and it would freeze them up when they returned outside.
A man who starts imagining that others think good because he does is simply out of his mind
It behooves one to be wary when among strangers and not to trust too much L'Amour0 -
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
HISTORY LESSON: During WWII on the Russian Front, German solders always left their weapons outdoors while they went inside to warm up. They found that bringing them in, they would get condensation on them and it would freeze them up when they returned outside.
I found something similar with blackpowder guns. If I leave take them inside with me, then carry them into the field they often "sweat" and led to some fouled powder. Now I store my unloaded smokepole in my truck and load it in the morning. I haven't had any trouble with it since...
Chris8161, if your ammo is decent stuff I don't think you should have anything to worry about. I'll get ripped on this I'm sure, but it's my only option - I keep the bulk of my ammo in the attic. It has been up there since we moved here in '96 and I've not had a single malfunction. It is just in the factory cardboard boxes and it is inside a cheap rubber-maid style container that is NOT sealed. You can imagine the heat up there in the summer and it does get cold there in the winter too, I'd say likely as cold as your garage will. This is in humid Oklahoma...0 -
I have to rip bambihunter.
That attic heat is bad for ammo. It will get you eventually.0
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