It is no longer recommended to buy ammunition only when needed.
It’s now recommended to buy bulk ammunition in case of an ammo shortage or when the shops are closed.
The pandemic has taught us that ammo stores don’t have to be open anytime we need them.
Ammo stores closed down for a long time, and many of us seeking ammo had it rough.
But can ammunition be stored without the risk of destruction?
The simple answer is YES! Ammo can be stored safely in bulk for future use. Neglecting ammo is one of the major mistakes we make as EDC gun carriers; how can this mistake be avoided?
Why is it Essential To Store Ammo Properly?
Some people will invest time in ensuring that the ammunition used is protected from harm.
However, they will end up just stacking up the ammo they use on a shelf. The ammo stored in this manner does not last long.
Like any other EDC essentials, proper ammo storage ensures long life and protects it from theft and other destructive elements like moisture and temperature.
Storing ammo properly also ensures that one has ready ammunition if the need arises and that one does not have to pay so much for ammo when there is a shortage of it.
The Right Way to Store Ammo
The truth is that ammunition, when stored properly, can last for decades.
Lets take a look at best ways to make your ammo last for years in storage:
1. Use A large Can or Container
One way of storing ammo the right way is finding ammo cans and dumping similar ammo in the cans.
After separating ammo and storing it based on caliber, consider labeling the containers appropriately to avoid confusion.
Also, remember to change the labels whenever you type of ammo stored changes.
2. Keep The Original packaging
Ammunition is best stored in its original packaging. This may be as simple as placing the packaging on a shelf.
I never open the boxes and dump the contents into a metal container unless I know I’ll be needing them soon. Sure, having 500 9mm rounds in an ammunition can is cool, as stated above.
They are, however, far more vulnerable to harm from handling and other elements.
Also, remember that unless the ammo is in the original box, you won’t be able to exchange it if you trade one weapon and caliber for another.
3. Keep the Ammo Cool
Storing your ammo in dry but cool places is the real deal. However, remember that cool doesn’t mean cold.
When ammunition is exposed to severe temperature cycles, its integrity is jeopardized.
Year after year, going from 100 degrees to 0 degrees and back to 100 degrees is harsh on ammunition.
So, what makes this so bad? Well, temperature fluctuations are a precedent for humidity.
4. Keep Your Ammo Dry
The key to properly storing ammunition is to avoid storing it in humid places. In reality, humidity is more dangerous than temperature when it comes to ammo storage and can render your ammo useless in a matter of years.
Fortunately, most ammo is like the human body. If it’s not too humid for the human body, then it’s perfect for ammo.
As you may be aware, basements are prone to high humidity, and storing your ammo in the basement will expose it to destructive moisture.
However, you can still store ammo in the basement if you keep it in enclosed cabinets and out of contact with the floor.
5. Rotate The Loads Regularly
Hunting and self-defense ammo are the first types of ammo that need to be appropriately stored to continue working effectively.
In many cases, your storage location may be inside your gun, especially for those who like to keep their guns loaded.
Many law enforcement agencies usually rotate their loads annually, especially if their weapons stay loaded for long periods of time.
The reason for rotating ammunition on a regular basis is to reduce the possibilities of corrosion or primer exposure to gun oil.
6. The Ground is Perfect For Storage
The earth offers constant coolness for ammunition storage. This is because there is less variation in ground temperature compared to air temperature.
Ideally, while air temperatures fluctuate from 0 to 100 degrees throughout the year, ground temperatures 10 feet below the surface tend to remain in the 20-degree range.
So, if the temperature of the earth 10 feet underground is 50 degrees on average, it may increase to 60 degrees in the summer and drop to 40 degrees in the winter.
This is balanced and ideal for long-term ammo storage.
How Does Humidity Affect Your Ammo?
Humidity can cause corrosion of some parts of ammunition like copper projectiles and brass cases.
When parts like the copper projectiles are corroded, they may not allow other ammunition parts to work efficiently.
If ammo is stored in a humid area, small bits of surface rust may appear first, which you can sand off, and your ammunition will continue to fire, although even this may impair your ammo’s accuracy.
You’re free to use a dehumidifier for high humidity areas or something else that absorbs all the humidity within the storage area.
The Ammo Shortage
In 2020 the ammo shortage in the US resulted from hoarding and panic buying. However, the 2020 ammunition famine is not the only famine in the US; there was the 2016 to 2018 ammunition famine.
In 2020, the famine was also due to the rise of new gun owners. There were a whopping 8.4 million people who bought ammunition for the very first time.
An inadequate supply of ammunition raw materials exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic also contributed to the ammo shortage.
In addition, the pandemic limited the import of certain raw materials used to make ammunition, such as lead, which also contributed to the shortage.
In fear of the frequent lack of ammo, some people bought ammo in bulk and later sold it when the ammo shortage increased.
Regardless of the reasons for the surge in ammo purchases, there is the issue of storage.
As we all know, bullets can be very dangerous and should be handled with care.
The first step to ensuring proper care of ammo is through proper storage.
Bottom Line
Quality EDC items, including ammunition, will last longer if stored properly.
However, if the ammo to be stored is not of good quality, then its chances of lasting long are nil, even when stored well.
So it is paramount that you select the best quality ammo for it to last longer.