How Appropriate Ammunition Storage Will Protect Against Moisture
Hunters and firearm enthusiasts have no doubt seen the extreme shortage in ammunition available in the marketplace. When there is a reduction of anything, it usually means there is a hesitancy to use up supplies that are in existence. Consequently, the need to stock pile supplies is significant. This makes ammunition storage methods more significant, 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 is not the guy who is aiming his gun at you. Instead, it is moisture.
Ammo that is properly cared for is ammo that can do its job well. This is why ammunition storage is so important. Regardless of the size caliber in question, storing the rounds in the right ammo boxes can definitely guard your investment. This is not to say that the boxes that the ammunition are sold in are a bad idea, but as a long term solution there are better, more efficient alternatives available. For example, such containers to avoid are made of paper-based material such as cardboard. Should these come into contact with liquid in any form (e.g. high levels of humidity), the resulting effect will make the ammo box to deteriorate and promote rust on the metal casings.
If you have not yet procured for proper ammunition storage, there may still be time to change your situation even if you have identified signs of moisture. Be sure to remove all rounds from the affected area and wipe them down thoroughly. If no signs of corrosion exist and you are positive that no moisture has made its way into the shells, then you should be all right. However, if rust can be seen, then try to removing the rust by 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 useful if stored inside the home and preferably not on the floor, no matter where in the home they are stored. This is because levels of humidity can be controlled. For example, putting your ammo on a shelf in the garage may not be the most appropriate place for a humid-free environment. But, if you were to store the ammo in a closed container such as a gun safe or even the plastic ammo cans you find at the store, you would increase the shelf life of your investment significantly. This would protect you from injury by eliminating the use of compromised ammunition. It will also prevent your firearm from getting damaged, eliminating the possibility of rust entering your firearm.
For every ammunition storage solution suggested, there is likely to be a differing opinion with stronger or looser standards involved. Some gun owners have had no trouble with storing their ammunition in barns for years and have had no signs of weakened shooting potency. Others have taken more extreme efforts by storing their munitions inside military-grade ammo boxes and sealing those up with something like wax along the seams. However, as sound as this method appears, it is worth noting that taking such measures do not lend themselves to easy extraction of the ammo when they need to be used in an emergency. So easy access to the ammo being protected should be taken into account when finding proper storage solutions.
In summary, use common sense when deciding on your ammo storage options. Choose the appropriate size ammo box for the caliber you are storing and place it in a location that is relatively cool and free of moisture. A climate-controlled environment is preferred. Marking the containers with the dates they were put into storage will assist you with changing out 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 reliable self-protection.
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