I'm sure that you know this already, but military ammo also comes packed in cardboard boxes and bandoliers. The only time I can see there being an issue is when you are using cans that won't seal correctly, or moisture was introduced.
Printable View
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.
Sent via Tapatalk
For reconditioning rubber seals, I've used glycerin. I've used it for servicing vcrs, recorders and turntable belts in the way back. I would think that would work on ammo cans too.
To help recondition the rubber gasket I use silicone grease. I too worry about leaving ammo in cardboard boxes - the cardboard is a porous item and could pull and hold moisture, but also most commercial ammo boxes are made with acidic paper and inks, all of which could cause damage over time. Therefore, I place ammo, guns, knives, anything with metal in Zcorr ammo storage bags. I place these bags in the ammo can. Seal the can and leave it closed until you need it. Don't store in a hot environment or one with wide temperature swings.
Again the ammo and it's package will probably outlive it's human owner.
https://www.m4carbine.net/attachment...1&d=1376421579
The date of that ammo is probably 19(before you were born) for most here.
I agree with no petroleum based grease on rubber seals. It's degrades them over time. You can get a small tube of silicone based grease at any place that sells pool supplies. They use a silicone lubricant on the rubber gaskets and seals of pool pumps. Keeps the water out water but will not harm the rubber gaskets over time.
Glad this thread got started, recently I noticed some of the M2A1s I have the seals are starting to turn white. I wanted to lube them with something but have always heard petrol based lubes are a no go on rubber.
So silicon grease it is . . .
silicon grease is the best.. scuba drivers and others use it on the o-rings in the valves and regulators, used on o-rings on most if not all tactical lights.
good stuff to keep around.