Ammo storage/dessicant?

[smash29]

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Hey all,

I've read a bit on ammo storage and I keep hearing aboutusing a dessicantand an airtight case. Well I already have a bunch of ammo cans from my bulk purchases but I don't have any idea where to even begin a search for dessicant. How important is this and where should I look?

Tanks.

 

[Doug Huffman]

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DT

 

[Doug Huffman]

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Silica gel. Sold in grocery stores as RID IIRC. There is a class of chemicals that wants to suck up moisture. Salt NaCl may be a desiccant but it is also a 'salt' that promotes corrosion.

 

[madcapmag]

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You can also buy dessicants from most sporting goods stores where once it gets too moist, you stick it into the oven to dry.

Or, if you eat a lot of beef jerky and don't mind the smell, you can use those too!

 

[LEO 229]

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I have several cases of ammo stored under my stairs. It is very dry there so I did not feel any additional moisture protection would be necessary.

But it does raise a good question and one should be concerned if there may be a high moisture content such as a basement.

 

[YllwFvr]

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I have more silica dessicant than I know what to do with! Ive collected it from gloves at my job for close to two years. The baggies they come in only hold about a teaspoon. I must have several thousand bags worth.

Man its good to hear I can use it for something, I was beginning to think I was wierd... :shock:

 

[LEO 229]

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YllwFvr wrote:

I have more silica dessicant than I know what to do with! Ive collected it from gloves at my job for close to two years. The baggies they come in only hold about a teaspoon. I must have several thousand bags worth.



Man its good to hear I can use it for something, I was beginning to think I was wierd... :shock:

No... You are still weird!!

Well, maybe just thrifty! No harm in collecting them and using them. But you know you can just buy a bag that size for about $30 right?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=froogle-cat20797_TGP&id=0005567220673a&navCount=2&podId=0005567&parentId=cat20797&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

 

[Sonora Rebel]

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Silica works best if you can get it... However... for ammo and weapons (if you have to bury any)... Dry White Rice. Viet Cong used this method and it's very effective.

 

[nyc_paramedic]

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deleted.

 

[SFCRetired]

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[Grapeshot]

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SFCRetired wrote:

Common sheetrock (drywall), a/k/a gypsum board, is also a desiccant. Break off a piece, break it intosmaller pieces, dry in an oven, and you have your desiccant.

Note on the oven: 150 degrees for about fifteen minutes in a conventional oven should be about right. Do not use a microwave.

This is a good way to go especially if you have access to drywall that is going to be torn out. Cheap and plentiful.

And how do you keep the drywall dust from your ammo? :?

Yata hey

 

[FogRider]

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I've never been able to keep enough stored to worry about it.

 

[Michigander]

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High end cat litter, like this stuff, will do the trick. Fill a sock or some other cloth sack if you want to be fancy, or just dump it into the bottom of the container. If it gets damp, or you think that it did, just bake it as described with the drywall.

http://the-gadgeteer.com//asset_cache/s/sc/scoopfree5.jpg

http://www.freshstep.com/img/products/crystalsfoto2.jpg

 

[Chaingun81]

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Sorry to slightly hi-jack the thread, but speaking of ammo storage. I'm always paranoid about ammo going off in case of fire and killing bystanders/firemen. Obviously, chances are slim and i certainly hope it never happens, but i'm still paranoid. So, i store ammo inside the fire protection box (small lock box from staples or home depot) which goes inside the gun safe. But then the manual for the box says "for document/media storage only, no firearms or ammunition". Anyone knows why? Also, what would rounds do in case of being exposed to fire - i heard that they will just explode and bullets wont go anywhere since casings are not supported by the chamber, but it still sounds phishy to me. Any advice?

 

[Sonora Rebel]

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The primers will usually'blow' first allowing the propellent to exit the primer hole. Otherwise the smokeless powder propellent will simply fracture the cartridge case (or a combination of both). The bullets won't go anywhere with any velocity (if at all) as the ctg is notcontained within a breech and bolt to prevent/control expansion and direction. .22 rimfire will just 'pop' like a firecracker. The term is: low-order detonation.With black powder cartridges of the 19th century... a high order detonation was possible.

 

[Grapeshot]

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There is not a fire protection box made big enough to store the ammo that some maintain - unless it was a walk-in! :celebrate

Yata hey

 

[YllwFvr]

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Grapeshot wrote:

There is not a fire protection box made big enough to store the ammo that some maintain - unless it was a walk-in! :celebrate

Yata hey

Let me see the pics when you convert your walk in closet Grapeshot