Military Ammo Can Questions

[Doc Safari]

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?

[Ryno12]

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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[Iraqgunz]

I clean my cans and apply a small amount of silicon to the seals. This is the same stuff used on rubber o-rings on Surefire lights. Once they are closed I leave them until I use them. The last thing I would do is leave ammo in cans cooking in a hot vehicle.

[Ryno12]

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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[Doc Safari]

I clean my cans and apply a small amount of silicon to the seals. This is the same stuff used on rubber o-rings on Surefire lights. Once they are closed I leave them until I use them. The last thing I would do is leave ammo in cans cooking in a hot vehicle.

What about the heat damaging the can seals themselves?

I've had occasion where I traveled out of town in the summer to do some shopping and ended up leaving my newly acquired, empty ammo cans in the hot sun out in the truck while I did other shopping.

[Kokopelli]

What about the heat damaging the can seals themselves?

I've had occasion where I traveled out of town in the summer to do some shopping and ended up leaving my newly acquired, empty ammo cans in the hot sun out in the truck while I did other shopping.

I wouldn't expect that to be a problem.. JMO..

[GotAmmo]

What about the heat damaging the can seals themselves?

I've had occasion where I traveled out of town in the summer to do some shopping and ended up leaving my newly acquired, empty ammo cans in the hot sun out in the truck while I did other shopping.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I have thousands of rounds sitting in ammo cans, in a 40ft insulated milvan in a 120 degree sauna with the sun beating down on it as we speak.

The seal can dry rot over time but I wouldn't expect it to happen in an hour.

I'll dig into the Army Pubs for ammo can care and maintenance for what guidelines they suggest and share em

eta: I probably wouldn't leave shotgun shells in the heat

[Iraqgunz]

I know what you meant. I was just referring to leaving ammo in cans and then subjected the ammo to heat like that. I generally keep my stuff in the house and try not to expose it to extremes.

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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[dash1]

Before I use a can, I let it sit in the garage for a week or longer. I then inspect for moisture and/or rust inside.

[RearwardAssist]

Also be careful with the ammo inside of factory boxes the cardboard will soak up and hold moisture can cause corrosion. A guy on my local board did a write up on his factory boxed ammo being put in a can with dessicant and showed the corrosion when it went bad. I used to line the walls and top and bottom of mine with card board and took it out after reading that write up and seeing the pictures.