Did you just take advantage of a great sale on ammunition? Or, are you a gun enthusiast who’s decided to stock up on ammo for future use?
Either way, having an adequate supply of ammo is an essential part of being a firearm owner.
In recent years, we’ve seen that ammo supply can be unpredictable, so stocking up on this resource can be a good idea.
But hey, do you know that how you store your ammo matters? That’s right! Storage can highly dictate how long the ammo will remain useful.
In this guide, we’ll be learning how you can safely store your ammo supply for maximum shelf life, so let’s dive right in!
What Is The Shelf Life of Ammunition?
Before you proceed to make that bulky ammo purchase on BulkMunitions, take time to understand what the shelf life of ammo is.
Now, when we talk about the shelf life of ammo, it’s basically the duration it can retain its effectiveness when stored under appropriate conditions.
Usually, ammo manufacturers will tell you that the shelf life of ammunition is 10 to 20 years, but it can be much longer if your ammo is under the right storage conditions. In fact, we’ve recently seen cases where ammo dating back to the World War 1 era has been used and worked just fine.
So, why would the manufacturers understate the shelf life of their product? Isn’t it better for their business if the product label indicates the longer lifespan?
Well, the answer is simple: Shorter shelf lives are usually recommended by corporate lawyers as a way to protect the manufacturers from lawsuits. Ammo makers aren’t in a position to account for every storage condition possible, and so they choose to play it safe by understating the shelf life of their product.
But as long as you know the secret to keeping your ammunition well, then the usable life of your current supply could even extend to the days of your grandchildren.
What Affects The Usable Life of Ammunition?
Usually, the usable life of your ammo will depend on several factors, like the quality of the ammo, the manufacturer’s recommended loading method, primer type, and sealant, among other factors.
For instance, ammo with steel casing is more likely to catch rust than the brass counterparts. That means if you have the two types, you’re likely to get a longer shelf life from the latter.
Of course, environmental factors like temperature, humidity level, light, and abrasion can also play a significant role in determining how long your ammunition will remain effective. Ensure that you pay attention to all these factors if you want to prolong the usable life of your ammo.
7 Expert Tips On How To Store Your Ammo Stockpile
When talking about ammunition lifespan, it has less to do with factors internal to the ammunition and more to do with external factors like storage conditions.
Let’s look at some nice storage tips on how to keep ammo useful for long:
1. Keep Your Ammo Away From Humidity
Just so you know, humidity is the number one enemy of your ammo. When exposed to humidity, it becomes very likely for your ammo to degrade in quality through corrosion and oxidation, significantly affecting its shelf life.
Therefore, as you look for a place to store your supply, ensure that it’s dry. Experts say humidity level of 50 to 60% is good enough for long term ammo storage. Anything more than 60% can significantly affect the effectiveness of your ammo, especially with prolonged exposure.
2. Darker Spots Are the Best
We’ve all heard about how UV rays can have detrimental effects on our skin. But do you know that these rays can also reduce the shelf life of your ammo?
That’s right! Your ammo doesn’t like lit spaces. UV rays or direct sunlight can cause the ammo elements to deteriorate, so you’ll need to choose a dark spot for storage. You can also use a solid material container instead of a transparent or translucent one.
3. Make Use of Climate-Controlled Rooms
Temperature is one of the external factors that can affect the shelf life of your ammo. That’s why when choosing a perfect storage area for them, it’s best to consider a climate-controlled area. Ideally, you don’t want to keep your ammunition in a place that gets too cold or heats up.
And the reason for that is simple: Temperature fluctuations make the powder used to load ammo and the primer compound to degrade over time, consequently compromising its usefulness.
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) says that temperatures above 150 degrees should be avoided. The organization recommends a temperature range of 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for maximum ammo lifespan.
4. Choose A Chemical-Free Environment
As you select an ideal spot for your ammo, it’s best to avoid areas where your supplies could come into contact with chemicals.
Petroleum products, solvents, and most chemicals can easily seep into the ammo and cause the powder to degrade, so avoid putting your box of ammo in areas where they can get exposed to any of these compounds.
If you keep such products in your garage or basement, avoid using the same locality for your ammo. Or, if you must use basement or garage storage, utilize the opposite corner just to be safe.
5. Go For Rattle-Free Areas
Not many people consider this factor, but shaky or places that rattle a lot, for instance, your car trunk, is not the best way to go if you want to enjoy maximum shelf life from your ammo. That’s because when a place is rattling a lot, it becomes easier for the cartridges to knock against each other, making them wear out easily.
6. Get The Right Storage Boxes
Proper storage of ammo isn’t just about choosing an area away from elements that can compromise the integrity of your ammo. It also involves using the right storage container for your supply.
Experts recommend that ammo be kept in their original boxes before placing it on larger, waterproof, well-secured containers, like the military metal ammo cans sealed with an O-ring.
The essence of using original ammo boxes is that they are convenient in that they already contain essential information about the ammo therein, like the caliber, bullet grain weight, load, and charge, meaning you don’t have to write that all again on a new label.
The larger storage box is to protect against detrimental factors like air, humidity, light, temperature fluctuations, and other aspects. And, of course, the storage container must be kept on an elevated spot rather than directly on the surface.
If you have a vacuum sealer, then that’s even better. Pack your ammo there and store it in a larger container. But ensure that you take time to create a label so it can be easy to identify the ammo you need in the future.
7. Use Dehumidifiers
Even in an airtight plastic container, you don’t want to assume that humidity won’t find its way in. So, proceed and use dehumidifying products like silica gel just to be on the safe side. These products are now coming in almost every stuff you buy and will absorb any moisture that might be trapped inside the box.
Why Is Proper Ammo Storage Important?
So, why are we emphasizing that you store your ammo properly? Well, the first reason is what we’ve been revolving around all this time — it can maximize the shelf life of your ammunition.
That’s true — as long as you’ve observed all storage requirements, your ammo should last for several decades if it’s good quality.
In addition, ammo can be good or bad, depending on who’s having it. Proper storage ensures the safety of your loved ones by minimizing the risk of accidental discharge or access by unauthorized persons.
What Happens When You Use Bad Ammo?
Before you press the trigger of your gun, you must have first ensured that the ammo you’re using is in good condition.
Otherwise, you risk either of the following:
- Misfiring: This happens when the primer doesn’t ignite the powders, and it can harm your weapon or even worse, lead to a personal injury.
- Acidic reaction: Firing bad ammo can produce acid fumes that might damage your weapon.
- More potency: In some instances like, explosive crystals might be formed, making the ammo more potent than is safe for your firearm.
- Poor accuracy: Where the state of your ammo is compromised in any way, for instance, dented, rusted, or exposed to moisture, it can cause inconsistent burn rates, greatly affecting the accuracy and reliability of the ammo.
So, as seen, it can be dangerous to use ammo that’s already gone bad. That’s why you need to ensure that your ammo supply is stored perfectly. And remember, when using ammo, it’s always best to use the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) technique. This means using the oldest stock on the box first!
Conclusion
As seen, ammo storage isn’t difficult. You just need to follow the storage tips highlighted on this coverage. It will ensure that you have your ammo ready to be put to use for longer. Just ensure that you inspect the ammo once every six months to check whether it’s still in good condition.
And remember, it’s generally a good practice when storing your ammo to not keep it together with your firearms. That’s because, in case of unauthorized access or theft, the combination of weapons and ammunition can be dangerous. Store your ammo separately in a secure location to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
