Do You Ever Wonder Why Sports Are Played Worldwide?

Posted on: 17 September 2018

You're probably used to hearing about the importance of proper weapon storage. But did you know that the way you store your ammo also plays a big role in safety and preservation of your supplies? Don't just stash your ammo in a drawer or cabinet and forget about it. Here are some ammo storage tips to help all kinds of gun owners.

1. Label your ammo with dates.

It's always best to use your oldest ammunition first. If you do not know which ammo is the oldest, this will be tough! So, you should put a date on your ammo when you buy it. Rotate the ammo in your storage area so that the stuff with the oldest date is always in front and easiest to use. What you are trying to avoid is leaving one pack of ammo in the back, where you can easily forget about it for years.

2. Choose a cool, dry place.

Just like medications are meant to be stored in a cool, dry place, so is your ammo. This does not mean you have to store it in a fridge, but it does mean that the moist basement or humid attic is not your best bet! Some peoples store their ammo in the bedroom or living room closet so it is close at hand. You probably keep these rooms at a relatively comfortable temperature since you live in them, so they should be a good temperature for your ammo, too.

3. Pack some silica gel packets with your ammo. 

Humidity is harder to control than temperature inside the home. If your home tends to get humid from time to time, you should purchase some silica gel packets from a local storage center. Put one or two in each bag or container of ammo. The gel will absorb moisture so there is no moisture leftover for your ammo to absorb. Change the packets out every few months or whenever you access your ammunition. Keep the unused packets in a sealed bag so they don't absorb moisture before being put into use.

4. Vacuum seal ammo you won't use often.

If you have ammunition you know you won't use or need to access for a year or more, store that ammunition in vacuum-sealed bags. Chances are good that you have a friend with a vacuum sealer—if you don't have one yourself—and they will let you borrow it. Keeping as much air away from the ammo as possible will extend its life so you don't find yourself needing to re-buy it a year from now when you need it.  

5. Always look for corrosion.

Even if you follow the tips above, there is a chance of corrosion setting into your ammo. The ammo could have already been a bit dated when you bought it, or it may have been exposed to some moisture in shipment. Check for corrosion each time you open your ammo storage area. If the ammo develops corrosion within a few weeks, most stores will accept it back and replace it, provided it was stored properly in the meantime. Some ammo can last for years yeas—but you still need to check it for corrosion before use.

In addition to following the storage tips above, make sure you keep your ammo organized. You don't want to have to spend 30 minutes sorting through bullets to find what you need before your next hunting trip. There are numerous chests, drawers, and other setups you can use to store your ammunition where it is ready and easy to access. Contact a company that sells ammo for more information.