Long term ammo storage? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Northern-Lights · 06-28-2008, 07:27 PM

Just wondering about some opinions. I have plenty of surplus ammo cans for storage....but was wondering if it might help if I sealed boxes of ammo by using a food saver and vacuum sealing it?

Would that keep it like new for years?

XDConvert9mm · 06-28-2008, 07:31 PM

Interesting thought. I'm not sure about keeping it "like new for years" but I would think as long as some kind of dessicant pack were thrown in it ought to last for a long time.

On the other hand, they're still selling WWII surplus ammo that mostly goes bang from what I understand so it might not be worth all that effort.

I keep mine in a small safe or sealed plastic ammo cans and have never had any problems.

Joeywhat · 06-28-2008, 07:34 PM

Cool, dry place out of any sunlight would be best. I doubt sealing it would help much.

Spawnz · 06-28-2008, 07:43 PM

I have a lot of ammo that is stored from the late 70's and early 80's. I sealed it with the seal-a-meal pouches (remove as much air as possible before sealing) and then stored it in the surplus ammo cans. Make sure the cans have a good rubber seal. If I had a few dessicant packs I added those. Some cans do not have the dessicant. It is stored in the basement. Keep it cool and dry. The cases are still clean and bright and I have never had a problem with it when I shot it.

EricCartmann · 06-28-2008, 07:47 PM

+1 on a dry place, but it does not have to be cool.

Unless you stored it at the bottom of the lake, ammo should pretty much last forever. All the South African .308 is from '80 or '81 and these are considered reliable ammo. I have some Korean surplus 30-06 made in the 1950's and it too reliably goes bang.

I don't think the Korean's or South African went out of their way to properly store the ammo in de-humidified room @75 degrees with deccadent bags.

06-28-2008, 07:27 PM	#1
Northern-Lights XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: God's country....Upper Peninsula of Michigan Posts: 134	Long term ammo storage? Just wondering about some opinions. I have plenty of surplus ammo cans for storage....but was wondering if it might help if I sealed boxes of ammo by using a food saver and vacuum sealing it? Would that keep it like new for years? __________________ An armed man will kill an unarmed man with monotonous regularity. The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm. 'Sheriff, I see you have your pistol. Are you expecting trouble?' 'No Ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my rifle.' NRA Life Member Member - Michigan Bow Hunters

06-28-2008, 07:31 PM	#2
XDConvert9mm XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NW Atlanta Suburbs Posts: 3,681	Interesting thought. I'm not sure about keeping it "like new for years" but I would think as long as some kind of dessicant pack were thrown in it ought to last for a long time. On the other hand, they're still selling WWII surplus ammo that mostly goes bang from what I understand so it might not be worth all that effort. I keep mine in a small safe or sealed plastic ammo cans and have never had any problems. __________________ "There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."

06-28-2008, 07:34 PM	#3
Joeywhat XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ypsi, MI Posts: 1,565	Cool, dry place out of any sunlight would be best. I doubt sealing it would help much. __________________ Ruger LCP GLOCK 19 RRA AR 15 (DONE!) Hi Point 4095 Mossberg 9200

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06-28-2008, 07:43 PM	#4
Spawnz XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 322	I have a lot of ammo that is stored from the late 70's and early 80's. I sealed it with the seal-a-meal pouches (remove as much air as possible before sealing) and then stored it in the surplus ammo cans. Make sure the cans have a good rubber seal. If I had a few dessicant packs I added those. Some cans do not have the dessicant. It is stored in the basement. Keep it cool and dry. The cases are still clean and bright and I have never had a problem with it when I shot it.

06-28-2008, 07:47 PM	#5
EricCartmann XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: My Mom's Basement Posts: 1,398	+1 on a dry place, but it does not have to be cool. Unless you stored it at the bottom of the lake, ammo should pretty much last forever. All the South African .308 is from '80 or '81 and these are considered reliable ammo. I have some Korean surplus 30-06 made in the 1950's and it too reliably goes bang. I don't think the Korean's or South African went out of their way to properly store the ammo in de-humidified room @75 degrees with deccadent bags.