If you own any firearm and ammunition under the authority of a firearm certificate, you are obliged by the law to keep them in a secure place away from other people, especially children, when they are not in use.
Complying with the law is important for any gun owner, but it is not the only reason why you should handle your shotgun ammo with caution.
Before we reveal the seven best tips for shotgun ammo storage, we are going to answer the following two questions to help you better understand why your shotgun shells need to be handled with care.
Do Shotgun Shells Go Bad?
Contents
Yes, shotgun shells can go bad. The ammunition manufacturers typically put the ten years lifespan on their products.
This doesn’t mean that the ammunition is going to go sour automatically after a decade. In reality, shotgun shells can last significantly longer if stored properly and significantly shorter if not.
To properly store your shotgun ammo, the general rules apply – keep them in a cool, dry environment, away from any source of heat or moisture.
Keep your ammo in a place where humidity isn’t above 50% and the temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. These conditions will help reduce the risk of corrosion and slow down the natural decay of smokeless powder.
How Can You Tell if Your Shotgun Shells Are Gone Bad?
Firing a bad shell is never a good idea, as it can cause personal injuries and can lead to firearm damage. This is why you need to examine the shells before you fire them.
When you examine your shotgun shells, carefully look for any signs of oxidation. Both discoloration and corrosion are indicators of external damage to the shell’s casing. In this case, the shell’s integrity is compromised, and firing it might lead to an explosion inside a shotgun.
Now that you know the importance of proper shotgun ammo storage, let’s examine the best ways to do it.
Seven best ways to store shotgun ammo
There are many ways you can safely store your shotgun ammo. Here, we will list the seven most effective ones.
1. Military-style metal storage containers
These storage containers are most suitable if you plan to store your shotgun ammunition for a long time. They are built to protect ammunition from severe weather conditions.
The things you need to consider when buying a military-style storage container are design, weight, floating ability, and container capacity.
2. The original boxes
Storing your shotgun ammo in original boxes will prevent your shells from getting dented, scratched, or dinged up. There are many benefits of keeping your ammo in original boxes:
- It will be easy for you to identify the type of ammo in your storage box
- You can easily track down the number of rounds in all boxes
- Your ammo will be protected from heat and moisture
3. Wooden ammo storage boxes
If you choose to store your shotgun ammo in wooden boxes, make sure that they are made from high-quality wood and offer enough strength to support the weight of a larger ammo quantity.
These come in open and closed forms. The open wooden box will enable you to see your items without having to open it, but If you live in an area with a high crime rate, go for the closed one.
4. Airtight and watertight ammo cans
Airtight and watertight cans will ensure your shotgun ammo doesn’t corrode. This can be a good choice if your shotgun shells contain any brass parts.
To additionally secure your ammo from corroding, you can add desiccant packets or a dehumidifier in your ammo can.
Make sure your storage is always locked, kept in a dark place, and properly labeled.
5. Gun safe
If you decide to store your shotgun ammo in a safe together with your firearm, make sure it has a built-in compartment for ammo.
Don’t use any other parts of the safe as only the ammo compartment is airtight and temperature-controlled.
In a case you already have a safe without the added compartment, place your ammo in an airtight container before you store it in the safe.
You can buy gun safes in most outdoor gear shops such as Natchez Shooter Supplies as they offer a wide range of products – from ammo and firearms to survival gear and gun safes.
6. Vacuum sealed bags
Using vacuum-sealed bags to store your shotgun ammo will ensure that no air or moisture reaches your ammo. These bags even have adhesive seals that can protect any items inside them from the potential flood.
Other advantages of vacuum-sealed bags include chemical resilience and the inability to conduct electricity.
7. Plastic storage boxes
Since they are lighter in weight, plastic storage boxes can be your fit if you often need to transport your ammo. But if you plan to store your ammunition for a longer period, these boxes might not be the best solution as they tend to deform in time.
The plastic storage box needs to have a water-resistant O-ring seal to ensure your ammo stays safe and dry.
Don’ts of ammo storage
Here is what not to do when it comes to ammo storage:
- Don’t bury your ammo – burying your ammunition in the ground is never a good idea. Even if you bury it in a storage container, the risk of soil moisture and pH deteriorating the metal and damaging the ammo is still high.
- Don’t keep your ammo in a garage, attic, or basement – these rooms typically vary in their temperature and humidity levels. These conditions are not suitable for ammo storage.
Summary
How you store your ammo is just as important as how you store your firearm. The golden rule to follow is to keep your ammo in a cool, dry environment and away from heat and moisture.
We hope our article helped you understand the importance of proper ammo storage and provided you with some useful tips on how to do it effectively.