Ammo will last years if you take care of it; here’s how to properly store it

In the past it was common practice for gun owners to stop at their local sport shop and pick up a box or two of their favorite ammo when getting ready for a hunt or heading to the target range. And they were most likely able to find what they needed at a reasonable price.

Then COVID hit, and with it came supply chain shortages and a steep jump in prices. While supply chain problems have eased, ammunition remains more expensive today than ever, with significant cost increases, primarily in raw materials.

These days shooters are scouring the Internet and local stores. When they find a good price, they likely will buy ammo by the case rather than by the box. And that can add up to spending quite a pile of money at one time.

So it’s important to do everything possible to protect that investment.

Under ideal conditions, ammunition can last as long as 20 years. Unfortunately, many gun owners fail to keep that ammo in those ideal conditions.

Heat and humidity

Like anything else, ammunition lasts longest when it’s properly stored in a low-humidity, cool place without frequent heat cycles that go from cold to hot, or from warm to very hot.

Most knowledgeable people recommend a constant temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (or cooler) and humidity levels between 30% to 50% for long-term storage of firearms, ammunition and other valuables.

Heat-cycling can cause the gunpowder and priming compounds in ammunition to deteriorate and become less powerful (or completely ineffective), or in extreme cases, it can actually cause pressure spikes that can potentially harm firearms or yourself.

High humidity can accelerate corrosion and damage to cartridge cases, primers, and bullets, as well as potentially find its way into the interior of the cartridge and ruin the powder. High humidity also contributes to the breakdown and possibly mold growth of any paper or synthetic cartridge boxes used in storage, which can accelerate corrosion on the exterior of your cartridge cases.

Powder has a limited number of high heat cycles that it can endure before chemical decomposition begins. Every exposure over 120 degrees Fahrenheit has a cumulative effect and accelerates chemical decomposition of powder.

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Places to avoid

Although you might have ample storage space in your attic, garage or other building, unless they have a stable climate throughout the year, these generally are not good places to store ammunition.

A non-climate-controlled attic or garage can go from cold to hot, or from warm to very hot in less than an hour. Depending on where you live, attics can easily heat up beyond 120 degrees, and unventilated attics can hit 170 degrees. Even if you store your ammunition in sealed containers, those rounds will still get too hot if they’re left in these environments.

If you have a habit of throwing a box of ammo in the front window of your pickup, you should think about replacing it at the end of the season, because car interiors can reach 120 degrees after just 40 minutes on an 84-degree day, according to the National Weather Service.

It’s also best to avoid storing ammunition in the same area as bore cleaners and other cleaning agents, or anything that contains or releases ammonia. Exposure to ammonia is a killer for ammunition.

Bring it inside the house

Central air conditioning and central heating systems keep homes at proper temperature and humidity levels year-round. This climate control will enable you to keep ammunition in many areas of your home, including a closet or the basement. A stand-alone dehumidifier also can help keep basement humidity in check.

Military ammo cans also provide protection against humidity. They’ve been proven to offer excellent protection if the integrity of the can and seal are good. As an added precaution, you can add silica gel desiccant packs or rechargeable mini dehumidifiers. Combined with a good seal, these will ensure that even if the cartridges get a little warm, they’ll stay dry. Just be sure to replace the desiccant packs about every year, depending on humidity levels.

I generally keep ammo in its original packaging. It can be more space-efficient to dump loose rounds in an ammo can, but that could destroy the information about the lot number and date of manufacture unless you take the time to transfer that information to the new container.

Tupperware-type containers, plastic food-storage buckets, and gallon zip-top bags can be excellent and inexpensive ways to keep your ammunition sealed from moisture.

Separating guns, ammo

Storing firearms in a secure location, separate from ammunition, is a legal requirement in some locales. For this reason, some people prefer to keep their firearms in a gun safe and their ammunition in another suitable, secure location like a locked basement storage locker or a locked closet.

Some people choose to keep two safes, one for firearms, and one for ammunition. It makes sense from a security and potential liability standpoint. It also makes it more difficult for bad actors to acquire firearms and ammunition from one source.

Ammunition, much like firearms, is a financial investment, but also an investment in convenience and peace of mind.

Whether you have 50 or 5,000 rounds stowed away for a rainy day, by storing safely in climate-controlled conditions you can be sure they’ll last long enough to be used when you need them.