I Switched to Metal Ammo Cans and Re-labeled Them

11391 Views 34 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Montieth, Nov 4, 2020

rjinga

Discussion Starter · Nov 6, 2017

I had most of my ammunition in metal containers already, but after further reading and YouTube viewing, I decided to go with all metal even for short-term static storage. I think Iâ€™ll use my three Plano plastic boxes for range trips, or some type of non-ammunition storage. And, given the weight, going forward I think Iâ€™m going to focus on metal .30 cal boxes for almost everything. Soâ€¦ if anyone has a good source for inexpensive containers, please let me know!

(Yes, thatâ€™s all I have right now, but everybody has to start somewhere.) Originally Iâ€™d tried to label the cans with my wifeâ€™s old hand-squeeze label maker. And when I say â€œoldâ€ I mean 25+ years old (including the label tape). Along with being too small to read from more than a foot away, the labels had a tendency to just fall off. So, I played around with the font and type size on my laptop, printed off a page, cut them to size and attached with shipping tape.

(Yes, I realize that the handles on the three .50 cal cans covers the bottom of the labels.) However, with the exception of these containers, as I said above, Iâ€™ll be moving to .30 cal cans whenever possible. Therefore, just seeing â€œ7.62x51â€ on a .50 cal box will tell me exactly whatâ€™s in it. Each one of these cans contains the same thing: three 4-pouch bandoliers with 12 20-round G3 magazines in them (240 rounds each; 720 rounds total) for my PTR 91 rifle. These are for a grab-and-go WROL situation. The one .30 cal can is my current remaining boxed 7.62x51 ammunition. (Yes, I know I need to buy some more. My favorite online ammo seller is currently out of my favorite surplus ammo.)

The two .30 cal cans on the left each contain 400 rounds loaded on stripper clips for my SKS rifle. Iâ€™ll dip into these containers as needed for range trips (and then reload the stripper clips from the boxed ammo later). They could also be used in a grab-and-go WROL situation. The .50 cal can is about 4/5th full of boxed ammunition and it is heavy! So heavy that I donâ€™t even want to lug it upstairs to weigh it on the bathroom scale. Iâ€™ll be moving the ammunition to .30 cal cans ASAP.

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Rugerer

· #2 · Nov 6, 2017

I hardly see .30 cans around. Palmetto State Armory had a daily deal on .50 cal ammo cans a few months ago, case of 12 for $8 each. Even though that's not your preferred size, maybe you could keep a watch there.

I split it with someone and snagged 6. I label mine on three sides with a Brother P-touch labeler using M tape.

I really like the ammo makers who make their boxes fit the inside dimensions exactly.

A can of 5.56 isn't that terrible. A can of .45 is way heavier.

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carnut

· #3 · Nov 6, 2017

I use adhesive business card holders with a top sleeve opening. I print up different card size labels and insert into the holders. Have holders on my metal ammo storage boxes and the plastic .308 - 20 round and 9MM - 50 round MTM plastic cases for my range bag. Being a reloader I shoot different powder loads, bullet weights, case types and bullet types. I print an info card for each load and slide it into the card holder. Makes it much easier to just insert the card in the permanent holder..
Also use them for my reloading supplies, I sort all my .308 cases by number of reloads, brass weight weight and manufacture. 9mm just sorted by stages in the reloading process (raw pickup, cleaned, deprimed/sized, primed/expanded ready to load). Again I just slip in a different pre-printed info card as status of the cases changes.

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Savannah Dan

· #4 · Nov 6, 2017

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...ary-storage/ammo-boxes-cans?d=122&c=407&s=199

rjinga

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 6, 2017

Getting Organized

I picked up an $18.00 shelving unit at my local Walmart this afternoon. It has adjustable shelves (250 lbs rating per shelf; 750 lbs total) and adjustable feet (if your floor isn't level).

Each shelf can hold: three .50 cal cans and one .30 cal can; or, two .50 cal cans and two .30 cal cans; or, one .50 cal can and four .30 cal cans; or, six .30 cal cans. (The angle of the photo makes the legs looked bowed out.)

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Casual User

· #6 · Nov 7, 2017

Sometimes Midway will sell a 2 pack combo- 1 30 cal and a 50 cal for $20, and allow free shipping. I like a Brother P touch for labels. You might be able to change the spacing on that shelving unit to stack 2 rows of cans.

rjinga

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 7, 2017

Casual User said:
You might be able to change the spacing on that shelving unit to stack 2 rows of cans.

Perhaps, but I wanted single rows on each shelf. Otherwise, I'd just stack the cans on top of each other on the floor.

rjinga

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 23, 2017

I got my three new .30 cal cans today. I labeled one and moved 26 20-round boxes of 7.62x39 into it. Here's the current set-up (unlabeled boxes are empty):

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Scout706

· #9 · Nov 24, 2017

What kind of flooring? Might consider some kind of pad under the feet to distribute the load.

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Nemo

· #10 · Nov 25, 2017

Might try some support for the shelves. They look like there is some serious sagging going on in the middle.

Nemo

rjinga

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 26, 2017

Nemo said:
Might try some support for the shelves. They look like there is some serious sagging going on in the middle.

Nemo

I know it looks that way; however, that's just how it appears in the photo. It isn't sagging in real life.

Taurus92

· #12 · Nov 26, 2017

slight wide-angle to the lens might do that.

Nemo

· #13 · Nov 26, 2017

A 35mm probably would and a 28mm for sure.

Nemo

1911

· #14 · Nov 26, 2017

I use metal coffee cans, but I don't store as much ammo.

moe mensale

· #15 · Nov 26, 2017

Nemo said:
Might try some support for the shelves. They look like there is some serious sagging going on in the middle.

Nemo

I don't know what rjinga is using but I have an HDX 48x72x18 6-shelf unit rated for 600 lbs per shelf. No sagging and they are full.

moe mensale

· #16 · Nov 26, 2017

rjinga said:
Originally Iâ€™d tried to label the cans with my wifeâ€™s old hand-squeeze label maker.

Look here -> http://www.weaponstickers.com/labels/

rjinga

Discussion Starter · #17 · Nov 26, 2017

moe mensale said:
I don't know what rjinga is using but I have an HDX 48x72x18 6-shelf unit rated for 600 lbs per shelf. No sagging and they are full.

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Nemo

· #18 · Nov 27, 2017

moe mensale said:
I don't know what rjinga is using but I have an HDX 48x72x18 6-shelf unit rated for 600 lbs per shelf. No sagging and they are full.

Then you need heavier stuff on them.

Nemo

moe mensale

· #19 · Nov 27, 2017

Nemo said:
Then you need heavier stuff on them.

Nemo

Why didn't I think of that? #-o

Nemo

· #20 · Nov 28, 2017

Well, you are an active member and I am a Man of Myth and Legend. That could have something to do with it. Or not, I dunno.

Nemo

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