In a SHTF (Sh*t Hits The Fan) situation, having access to ammunition can be critical to your survival. Whether it’s for hunting food or protecting yourself from threats, ammo is one of the best items that you can stockpile. However, storing ammo properly is just as important as having it. Here are nine ammo storage tips that every gun owner should know.
1. Keep It Cool and Dry
Ammo can be affected by temperature and moisture levels, so it’s important to keep it cool and dry. Humidity can cause corrosion on metal casings which will damage the rounds inside, while heat can cause cartridges to warp or even ignite prematurely.
2. Store It in a Safe
In addition to keeping your ammo cool and dry, you should also store it in a safe place. A gun safe is an ideal place to store ammo since it is designed to protect firearms from theft or damage due to fire or flooding.
3. Avoid Exposure to Sunlight
Ammo should never be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time because the heat generated by sunlight can cause cartridges to warp or explode.
4. Use Moisture Absorbers
Silica gel packets are commonly used for keeping moisture out of storage containers such as ammunition cans. Placing these packets in your ammo storage container will prevent moisture build-up which damages the cartridges inside.
5. Separate Types of Ammo
It’s important to separate different types of ammunition by caliber, manufacturer and year of production when you’re storing them together so they don’t mix up with each other and become unusable over time.
6. Label Everything
When putting away different kinds of ammunition make sure everything is well labeled with caliber, year made etc so that you have no trouble sorting through what you need in case something happens where quick access is required.
7. Rotate Stock
Rotate your ammunition stock regularly so that you use up older rounds first, ensuring that they don’t sit around for too long and become unusable. Pick up some extra ammo at the range or a gun show once in awhile, switching out with what you have stored away.
8. Keep It Away from Children
Store your ammo where only adults can access it or there is a good chance of an accident happening.
9. Follow Local Laws
Always follow local laws when it comes to owning and storing ammunition as different states have different rules and regulations. Be sure to check your state’s laws before making any changes to how you store your ammunition.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, proper ammo storage is just as important as having access to it in a SHTF situation. Keep it cool, dry and separated by type, label everything and rotate stock regularly, keep it away from kids, use moisture absorbers and follow local laws are some of the best tips every gun owner should know for storing their ammo safely while they’re waiting out whatever sort of crisis may arise in the future.