How to Store Ammo Safely

Any firearm owner knows the importance of maintaining a supply of ammunition. After all, without ammunition, your firearm is nothing more than an expensive paperweight. Recent years have shown that ammo supplies can quickly dry up in times of social unrest, political uncertainty, or supply chain problems, and keeping a supply of ammo stored safely in your home can help alleviate those shortages and keep you happily hunting, shooting, and recreating with your firearms and family while others have to go without, or pay outrageous prices for high-demand ammunition.

In this article, we’re going to go over the reasons you should take safe ammo storage seriously and talk about some key factors to consider when developing your ammo storage strategy.

Cycling between hot and cold environments frequently can accelerate ammo deterioration as well, so an unheated attic in the winter that gets hot in the summer (or a garage with similar conditions) is a terrible place for long-term ammo storage. Remember, you need to keep your ammunition cool and dry to preserve it for the maximum possible duration.

Fire resistance

When we talk about protecting ammunition from fire, it’s not because of any safety issues, but rather to protect your expensive ammunition from loss. Even if ammunition is burned in a fire, the danger presented by exploding cartridges is actually pretty minimal, since it’s the case, not the bullet, that may fly a short distance when the powder goes off. Sound wrong to you? Well, think about this: When a cartridge is contained within the chamber of a firearm, and the round is fired, the pressure is contained by the chamber, forcing the bullet down the barrel at high speed. However, when that cartridge is NOT contained in a chamber, by far the heaviest part of the cartridge is the bullet. So when the powder burns and the pressure builds up, the case ruptures, releasing the pressure, and perhaps launching part of the case a little way, but not with any real force. This may potentially damage an unprotected eyeball, but otherwise, there’s very little chance of serious harm being inflicted by any flying projectiles when ammunition burns.

Sporting Ammunition and the Fire Fighter:

What Happens When Ammo Burns?

However, keeping your hundreds or thousands of dollars of ammunition in a fire-resistant safe, vault room, or other fireproof storage area is a good idea, as long as it meets the other requirements for proper storage.

Ammo cans or other sealed containers

Military-type metal or plastic ammo cans are not only convenient for carrying your ammo to the range, but if properly designed, they are also waterproof, or at least effectively sealed to the outside air. This is extremely important to prevent humidity damage, as noted above. Ammo cans can be a great way to keep your ammo organized, stacked, and dry. However, ammo cans are not the only way to do so. Tupperware-type containers, plastic food-storage buckets, and gallon zip-top bags can be excellent and inexpensive ways to keep your ammunition sealed away from moisture.

Adding a couple of inexpensive silica gel desiccant packs to each container or ammo can is another hedge against invasive humidity, and is a good idea, especially for long-term ammo storage.

Accurate labeling

We said above that the cardboard or foam factory ammo packaging can potentially absorb water from the air, but we still recommend ammo be stored in its factory packaging where possible (inside a larger, airtight container, of course), and not just because it makes it easier to organize and store. The labels of most ammo packaging contain all the relevant information you need to identify the type of ammo, the bullet weight, and other information. If you don’t want to keep the factory boxes, at least tear off the end label and include it with the loose ammo in the sealed container of your choice, so you or your family will be able to identify the ammunition when needed.

If you wish to store hand-loaded or reloaded ammo, be sure to clearly label whatever containers you use, and it’s always a good idea to include a printed or written card inside the container as well to remind yourself what the load is composed of. Trust us… you won’t remember, even if right now you’re sure you will. Write it down and include that information in every container.

How long can ammo be stored?

Gunpowder contains volatile chemicals and oxidizers that are held in a stable, granular form, but powder and primers will still degrade over time, especially when subjected to heat and humidity, as noted above. Even properly stored ammunition has been known to corrode through its steel or brass casings as the “off-gassing” of some powders takes place over time. Most high-quality modern ammunition is loaded with non-corrosive powders and primers, and when properly stored, should last decades without meaningful deterioration. However, it’s a good idea to check a sample of your supply once or twice a year to see if there are any indications of moisture, corrosion, or off-gassing.

If you find any of your brass cases exhibit pink staining, pinholes, green “verdigris,” or other corrosion, dispose of that ammo immediately and double-check your storage containers and methods. Don’t use corroded ammo. It’s not worth the risk.

How much ammo can you keep in one storage spot?

Local ordinances may dictate a limit on how many rounds of ammunition may be legally stored in a residence, but in most places in the US, there’s no formal recommendation or limit. However, it’s your responsibility to learn and follow your local laws. There may be different rules within the same state, depending on what city you live in, so make sure you check.

For example, there may be a local law requiring you to keep your firearms and any ammunition securely locked up. There may be a local ordinance limiting the number of rounds of ammo you can legally store in your place of residence. If you rent a home or apartment, you may also be subject to a renter’s agreement that may dictate how and where you must store your firearms and ammunition or may prohibit such items entirely. This also may apply to home/fire insurance policies, so read your documents carefully. Please observe and follow all local laws regarding the manner of storage, and any limits on the amount of ammo you can store. If you don’t like your local laws, work to change them.