The Right Way to Store Your Ammo

If you’re putting in the time to stock up on ammo, it makes sense to store it right. Heat, moisture, poor organization, and cheap storage gear will turn good rounds into unreliable ones. The good news? A few simple habits – and the right equipment – will keep your ammunition safe, dry, and ready to perform.

Understanding the Enemies of Ammunition

Ammo doesn’t last forever, especially if you’re not storing it right. The biggest threats to your rounds are moisture, heat, oxidation, and time. Left unchecked, these elements will slowly break down your ammo and lead to serious issues.

Let’s look at what each one does:

1. Moisture: This is the number one enemy. Even a little humidity can cause metal cases to rust and primers to fail.
2. Heat: Ammo doesn’t like extreme temperatures. Leaving it in a hot garage or truck for months will weaken the powder inside the casing.
3. Oxidation: You’ll know this one by sight: dull, greenish, or brown spots on brass casings or steel surfaces. Oxidation eats away at the casing, which will affect feeding or firing.
4. Time: Even under good conditions, ammo doesn’t stay perfect forever. Old rounds will break down inside. Seals dry out, and primers weaken.

Improper storage doesn’t just shorten shelf life. It raises the risk of misfires, degraded casings, or complete failure. And if a round fails in the field, it’s not just frustrating – it can be dangerous. That’s why regular ammo storage maintenance matters.

Ammo Can and Bag Maintenance

Good storage starts with good gear, but even the best ammo cans and bags need some upkeep. 

Over time, dirt, rust, and wear can sneak in and start breaking down your setup from the inside. A few simple checks and habits will keep your storage strong and your ammo safe.

Ammo Can Maintenance Tips

1. Clean out rust: If you spot any rust, clean it out right away. Use a wire brush or some fine-grit sandpaper, then wipe it down with a damp cloth and dry it completely. For deeper restoration, hit it with a rust-inhibiting primer and paint to seal it again.
2. Check seals and hinges: Rubber gaskets around the lid should be soft and flexible – not cracked or dry. The hinge should open and close smoothly without gaps. If air can get in, so can moisture.
3. Add protection inside: Foam inserts help cushion your rounds, and rust-inhibitor liners or vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) add an extra layer of defense. These are especially helpful if you store cans in non-climate-controlled areas.

Ammo Bag Maintenance Tips

1. Inspect zippers, seams, and dividers: Bags take a beating, especially if used in the field. Check for busted zippers, loose stitching, or torn internal dividers that could cause rounds to shift or spill.
2. Don’t overload the bag or cram in loose rounds: Use individual pouches or boxes inside to keep things organized and secure. If a round pokes through the fabric, it’s time to repair or replace the bag.
3. Clean after outdoor use: Mud, dust, and grit can get inside the bag and wear it down. After a range day or trip, empty it and give it a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Let it dry completely before repacking.

Where to Store Your Ammo

Where you store your ammunition matters just as much as how you store it. Even the best containers and bags won’t help much if they’re sitting in a hot attic or damp garage.

Keep these tips in mind when choosing your storage location:

1. Stick to stable environments: Ammo does best in places where the temperature and humidity don’t swing wildly. A closet inside your home or a climate-controlled storage area is ideal. Basements can work, too, but watch for moisture buildup.
2. Avoid garages, attics, and cars: These spots get hot in summer and cold in winter. That kind of temperature swing will cause condensation inside containers, leading to corrosion. Plus, heat breaks down powder over time, messing with reliability.
3. Use safes or storage cabinets: If you’ve got a safe with a dehumidifier, that’s a solid setup. Even a sturdy cabinet in an interior room will work well. Just keep it away from vents, windows, or anything that causes dampness.
4. Keep it off the floor: Store cans or bags on a shelf or wooden pallet instead of directly on concrete. Floors can trap moisture (especially in basements and garages).

How to Control Moisture

Humidity is the fastest way to ruin good ammo. Even if you’re storing it in a sealed container, moisture in the air will sneak in over time. Once it does, it starts corroding casings, weakening primers, and turning reliable rounds into unpredictable ones.

That’s why moisture control should be your first move. Here’s how to stay ahead of it:

1. Use silica gel packs or desiccants: These little packets absorb excess moisture inside your ammo cans or bags. Toss in a few whenever you seal a container. If they change color (many are blue or orange when dry), it’s time to replace or recharge them.
2. Check and rotate regularly: Open your ammo storage every few months to inspect the contents and refresh your desiccants. Make it part of your general ammunition maintenance routine.
3. Seal it right: For ammo cans, make sure the rubber gasket is intact and still flexible. For ammo bags, make sure the closure is strong.
4. Use a dehumidifier in storage areas: If your gear lives in a garage, basement, or shed, a small dehumidifier will help a lot. It keeps the room dry, and your ammo stays safer, longer.

Organize and Label Your Rounds

Mixing up calibers or grabbing old, degraded rounds for an important trip will cost you time, money, or worse. That’s why staying organized and clearly labeling your ammunition is just as important as keeping it dry.

1. Label by caliber, purchase date, and use: Every container (can, box, or bag) should tell you exactly what’s inside. Write the caliber, when you bought or loaded it, and what it’s for (range, hunting, defense). Painter’s tape and a marker work great for this.
2. Use color-coded bags or labels: Want to grab what you need fast? Color coding makes it easier. Use different label colors or colored ammo bags to separate calibers or uses. For example, red for defense, green for hunting, and blue for range days.
3. Practice FIFO (first in, first out): Always use your oldest rounds first. That keeps your stock fresh and avoids ammo sitting around too long. Put newer ammo in the back and pull older stock from the front or top.

Tips for Ammo Longevity

Even if your ammunition’s stored well, it still needs a check-up now and then.

1. Inspect your ammo regularly: Every few months, open your cans or bags and give your rounds a once-over. Look for signs of corrosion or rust on steel. Check for dents, cracks, or anything that looks off. Damaged rounds shouldn’t be fired.
2. Don’t oil your ammo: It might seem like a good idea to prevent rust, but oil can seep into the primer or casing and ruin the powder inside. That makes the round unreliable or even dangerous. If you’re cleaning gear near your ammo, keep it dry and separate.
3. Suspect a bad round? Set it aside: Don’t use it if something looks or feels wrong (corrosion, strange smell, unusual weight). Mark it and store it away from your good ammo. Local ranges or law enforcement usually offer safe disposal options. Don’t toss it in the trash!

Storage Limits and Legal Considerations

Whether stocking up for range days or just keeping a few boxes on hand, it’s smart to know the limits of what your space (and local laws) allow.

1. Store what you can safely manage: There’s no one-size-fits-all limit, but think about ventilation, storage space, and fire safety. A few hundred rounds in a secure spot? No problem. Stacking cases floor-to-ceiling in a small room? That might be pushing it. Use metal ammo cans or fire-resistant containers, and don’t overcrowd your space.
2. Keep ammunition separate from firearms: It’s a good idea to store ammo in a different spot from your guns, especially if you’ve got kids in the house. Use a locked cabinet, safe, or designated ammo box to reduce risk and improve security.
3. Know the laws in your area: Federal law doesn’t limit how much ammo you can own for personal use, but states and cities might. Some places restrict how much you can store at home or require fire-code-compliant storage above certain amounts. Check your local regulations – especially if you live in an apartment, condo, or high-fire-risk area.

If you’re unsure about limits in your area, contact your local fire department or law enforcement. They’ll usually point you in the right direction.

Cole-TAC Ammo Storage Solutions

At Cole-TAC, we design and build ammo storage solutions that are rugged, reliable, and made to fit your real-world needs.

Here are a few top picks:

Ammo Novel

This compact, padded case holds up to 120 rounds in secure elastic loops. It’s an excellent option for protecting and organizing your rifle ammo during transport. Toss it in your range bag or backpack, and you’re ready to roll without loose rounds rattling around.

Mag Bag

Got loaded mags to haul? This padded, zippered bag is the easiest way to carry and protect them. It fits multiple rifle or pistol mags, and the durable handles and soft interior keep everything secure.

Simple Habits, Long-Term Reliability

Taking care of your ammunition doesn’t have to be complicated – but it does need to be consistent. Regular checks, smart storage habits, and a few key tools go a long way toward keeping your rounds reliable and ready to go.