How Proper Ammunition Storage Can Prevent Injury
By: Mark Sierra | Posted: 03rd June 2009
The debate of the ideal ammunition storage method has continued for as many years as there are people who own firearms. While 100 percent agreement for the best method may be unobtainable, it is very likely that you can find a large number of people who will at least agree that the greatest threat to the shelf life of any type of round of ammunition is moisture -- pure and simple.
Ammunition storage that does not protect against this simple fact is useless. Here are two reasons why this is the case:
1. The money used to invest in the ammo is wasted when it cannot be used.
2. There is an increased risk to the user if the ammo has been endangered, but is still used in the firearm. The reason for this is two-fold:
a) When rust deposits form on the outer shell of the ammunition, there may be the possibility of it going underneath the surface of the casing itself and that means moisture may have already made its way into the interior of the shell making the powder unusable. When the powder is useless, the round will not fire, which may not seem to be a problem. But when considering the possibility of law enforcement using such ammunition, seconds count when they are defending someone or themselves while doing their job. Firing a bad round can either mean the bad guy gets away or someone gets hurt.
b) When anything like rust is introduced to the inner workings of the firearm, additional damage may result, which could mean inaccurate firing and money spent on repairs.
So with moisture being the number one reason why ammunition storage is so important, you are not likely to receive argument over storing ammo inside an open bucket. There's just too much risk involved with that method. But taking extreme measures may also not be wise. If you were to take something like a bucket, seal it, and replace the air inside by pumping an inert gas into it (like nitrogen), you're not likely to receive a large return on your efforts and investment. The fact of the matter is, unless you plan on living for hundreds of years, the benefits of going to such trouble will be lost.
The best ammunition storage solution can be something as simple as a waterproof container stored in a cool and dry place. In fact, it really doesn't have to be any more difficult than that. Plastic ammo boxes are great for this, particularly ones that can close, thus protecting the contents from the elements. With lots of different sizes made for specific ammunition in mind, they also have the additional benefit of being stacked, which makes them easier to store and to carry.
The time a product can remain in storage while retaining its functional properties is called a "shelf life". So as long as you store your ammo correctly, the shelf life of that ammo should never expire.
Prevent injury and protect your ammo by finding the right ammunition storage product for you.This article is free for republishing
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Tags: money spent on, simple fact, job, risk, fact of the matter, inner workings, shelf life, nitrogen, inert gas, outer shell, storage method, casing, extreme measures, law enforcement, firearms, ammo