How Moisture Can Destroy Poor Ammunition Storage

Hunters and firearm hobbyists have no doubt witnessed the harsh shortage in ammunition available in shops. When there is a insufficiency of anything, more often than not, it there is a reluctance to use up existing supplies. Consequently, the need to store supplies is strong. This makes ammunition storage methods more important, now more than ever. But what options are available and what is suggested to control the shelf life of ammo as long as possible, while remaining effective? This article will help answer these questions.

It may surprise you to know that with regard to munitions, your worst enemy isn't the guy who is aiming his gun at you. Instead, it is moisture. Ammo that is appropriately maintained is ammo that can serve you well. This is why ammunition storage is so significant. No matter the size caliber in question, storing the rounds in the appropriate ammo boxes can definitely guard your investment. This is not to say that the containers that the ammunition is sold in are a bad idea, but as a long term solution there are better options available. For example, such containers to avoid are made of paper-based material such as cardboard. Should these get wet (e.g. high levels of humidity), the resulting effect will cause the ammo box to deteriorate and promote rust on the metal shells.

If you have yet chosen appropriate ammunition storage, there may still be time to change the situation even if you have seen signs of moisture. Be sure to remove all rounds from the affected area and wipe them down thoroughly. If there are no signs of rust and you are positive that no moisture has made its way into the shells, then you should be all right. However, if rust is visibly noticeable, then try to rub the corrosion away using steel wool. If successful, then place the rounds into better ammo boxes. If not, then you are better off disposing of the rusted rounds.

Storing munitions inside the cardboard containers they come in can be appropriate if stored inside the home and preferrably not on the floor, no matter where in the home they are stored. This is because levels of humidity can be controlled. For instance, storing your ammo on a shelf in the garage may not be the most appropriate place for a humid-free environment. However, if you were to store the ammo in a closed container like a gun safe or even the plastic ammo boxes you can buy at the store, you would be increasing the shelf life of your investment. This would protect you from injury by eliminating the use of compromised ammunition. It will also prevent your firearm from possible damage, eliminating the possibility of rust entering your firearm.

For every ammunition storage answer recommended, there is likely to be an opposing view with stronger or looser standards involved. Some gun owners have had no trouble with storing their ammo in outdoor sheds for years and have had no signs of degraded shooting potency. Others have taken more extreme measures by placing their munitions inside military-grade ammo cans and sealing those up with something like wax along the seams. However, as good as this method appears, it should be noted that taking such measures do not lend themselves to easy access to the ammo when they need to be used in an emergency. So easy access to the ammo being protected should be taken into account.

The bottom line is to use common sense when deciding on your ammo storage options. Identify the appropriate size container for the caliber you are storing and place it in a location that is relatively cool and definitely dry. A climate-controlled environment is suggested. Marking the containers with the dates they entered storage will assist you with rotating your inventory. So as new ammo is added and then dated, the ammo with the older date can be used first. Doing so can make for more enjoyable target practicing, safer hunting, and more dependable self-protection.