Storage solutions

Today I was asked a question on Discord about how I store ammunition. The question related to a blog I'd posted yesterday which you can read here. The inquiry related to how I store ammunition, how long I can store it for and how much can store. Not a bad question and one that is easier to answer here and copy/paste the link to the individual who asked it so here goes.

How much do I store
Under law I am allowed to have as much ammunition as I can feasibly use in a year. Yes, that's ambiguous which is why many people have lots and lots of ammunition stored. That's the regulations though. Considering I have multiple calibre's, different firearms that shoot different type's of ammunition, it means I can store a reasonable amount of ammunition. I always [mostly] have about a year's worth in stockpile and a pile of use-now ammunition for the calibre's I shoot a lot.

I shoot many different disciplines from competition long range practical sharp shooting, feral animal culling, hunting, competition practical handgun competitions to three gun practical shooting competitions and other recreational-type shooting. I also shoot to practice and train for those things as well. It amounts to a lot of ammunition getting sent down range and so I have to make a lot. Running out sucks.

I'd rather not say how much I have in total however it's enough for me to shoot every gun as much as I need to over a year period as per the regulations. 😉

How do I store it
I lock all my stored ammunition up securely, in safe's. The law dictates that ammunition is locked away separately from the guns and so I have multiple storage options to separate them. The law doesn't specify a safe for ammunition, just that it's locked and I know people who use tool boxes, cabinets and old military ammunition canisters, but I use safe's. I also separately lock up the explosive components that make the ammunition like primers and gunpowder. Nothing that goes boom is left unlocked. Ever.

My ammunition is generally secured in Pelican cases which, in my opinion are the best cases available and despite the cost are my go-to option. I pack the rounds in their own case and when required simply pick up the appropriate one and pack it into my vehicle for use. The cases are extremely tough, durable air and water tight and lockable. They even have automatic pressure equalization valve's for when the cases are in-flight. This is important as I fly with guns and ammunition a little bit to compete around the country. Each case is dated with when I produced the rounds and labelled for their calibre, powder, projectile, primer etc. If I have ammunition of the same calibre that has different projectiles or powder charges they are also defined. This is all very important to do. These cases are padlocked then locked inside the safe.

The image above shows some of my 6.5mmCM rifle ammunition stored in a small Pelican Case. There's 260 rounds in there. I simply put a rectangle piece of foam over the top and close the lid; The foam holds them all tightly in place and prevents rattling.

You might note a couple of things...Firstly the rounds are placed tip to tip which is done to protect the explosive primers [at the base end] from any potential impacts which could [theoretically] set them off. Secondly you'll see a small blue texta mark on the projectile and a red mark around the base of the brass case. The blue mark is added in my reloading process and indicates I have measured the overall length (OAL) of the round and weighed it. The length is critical for safety and accuracy and the weight simply ensures I have filled it with gunpowder, also for safety reasons. I check and re-check everything!

The red marking is to identify my brass once I've fired and ejected it onto the ground. It's expensive to buy and considering I reuse it multiple times it allows me to know what is mine so I can collect it and take it home to reload. A simple system that works. I don't want to pick up and confuse someone else's spent brass as I can't confirm its integrity for reuse, and besides, it's theirs not mine.

My ammunition is not always so neatly packed and if you read the blog I refer to above you'll see a case full of 9mm handgun rounds which are just thrown loose into the case.

How long can I store it
The answer is probably indefinitely. I shoot that much, and am careful to rotate my stock, so no ammunition really sits for longer than a year or so though. Still, I have ammunition that I reloaded 5 years ago and will still shoot it without fear of failure or it blowing my hand or face off. 10 years is what most manufacturer's suggest with their factory rounds however they are just being cautious. In the right conditions it will last much longer and I ensure mine is stored in the right conditions hence the individual Pelican cases. The right conditions means no high heat or moisture.

Shooting guns takes a high degree of responsibility as it can be dangerous; It's a gun after all. Reloading ammunition requires the same application of responsibility and a high degree of expertise together with a lot of care. There's far too many things that could go wrong to take it lightly and safety is always paramount. Blowing my noggin off isn't my idea of fun. The same care and attention extends to the labelling and storage of the ammunition as mixing calibre's up, firing the wrong ammunition in a firearm, is likely to end badly; Usually very badly. I never rush the process or cut corners and as I said earlier always check and recheck my work including the labelling and storage process. The ramifications of getting it wrong are too great.

So, there you go...A long-ass explanation to what was a short question.

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Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default and aim small, miss small.
Discord: @galenkp#9209 🇦🇺