Military Ammo Can Questions
I've been integrating the use of surplus military ammo containers into my survival prep. I always inspect them at the store before purchase. I make sure to open the can: if it "hisses" as the air pressure inside and outside the can are equalized, then I know the seal is still good. Otherwise I don't purchase it.
That leads to a couple of questions.
I've heard that you should never use Vaseline on the seal to preserve it because the chemicals in Vaseline actually deteriorate the seal over time. Is this true? Should anything be used to preserve the seal?
Another question. I'm assuming that because these cans are made to protect the ammunition from the weather in the field that weather won't make the seal deteriorate. Simply put: can I leave my ammo or other items in one of those ammo cans in the hot truck all day without worrying that the summer heat will damage the seal?
I've been told over the years that whenever you put something in one of those containers to put a packet of desiccant in with your items. If you fill your ammo can to the top like I do is there really enough room left in it for enough moisture to be trapped with your items to ruin them?
Should I open the cans and inspect the contents every few months or years, or once a can is sealed is it better to leave it sealed?
Assuming a can started out with a good seal, is there a rule of thumb that after so many years you should replace the gasket?
If so, where can replacement gaskets be obtained?
Re: Military Ammo Can Questions
I store all my ammo in 30 & 50 cal cans. I can fit 1k rounds of 5.56 on strippers in sleeves & 960 rounds of of 7.62x39 in their original boxes, in the 50 cal cans. There's room left for a desicant pack that I place in every can. It would depend on your climate if it's really necessary or not. I open up the cans periodically (once every 3-6 months) to check everything. It's always good. The cans that I'm in weekly from shooting or reloading are also good. Some of my cans are from the 80's & the seals still appear fine. I don't think the heat would have much impact on them either. I really wouldn't worry too much about it.
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Re: Military Ammo Can Questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Iraqgunz
The last thing I would do is leave ammo in cans cooking in a hot vehicle.
Yeah, I should clarify my post. I wouldn't leave ammo in a hot vehicle either. The cans themselves should be fine but be weary of what contents you have in them.
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Re: Military Ammo Can Questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kokopelli
I suggest that this is being over-thought a bit.. Buy a good can, add ammo, forget about it.. You probably won't live long enough to see a problem with it.. IMO..
Generally I'd agree, however it really depends how they are being used. People who live in dry, arid areas & are using them for long term storage, really have nothing to worry about. Those of us who live in humid climates or experience extreme temperature differences, have a little more to worry about. If I take a can of ammo to the range & it's 25F outside, shoot for an hour & pack up. When I get home & open the can back up, remove my spent cases or do whatever. The last thing you want to do is close it back up right away. The dew point inside your house may be 50F, for example. Anything below that temp will condense moisture on its surface. You now just trapped it inside. It's best to allow the contents to acclimate back to ambient temperature before sealing it back up. That example is somewhat of an extreme. The main thing to remember is that anytime warmer air contacts a surface that is colder than the air's dew point, moisture will condense on the surface.
In a nutshell, if it's initially packed in a cool, dry climate & it remains sealed, you should have no worries. If the cans are opened & exposed to temp and/or RH% differences, it's best to pack a desicant packet inside and maybe check on it occasionally.
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Re: Military Ammo Can Questions
Don't forget to tin foil the inside of you baseball cap.:D
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Re: Military Ammo Can Questions
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Charlie Don't Surf
Are you trolling or trying to be funny?
That's what the emoticon signifies
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