Ammunition – Care and Storage

INTRODUCTION

Many of us have experienced at least one vehicle breakdown in our lifetime and do not wish to repeat the experience. We all know that it is vital to maintain our vehicle in a clean and well-serviced condition because a car is a complex device composed mainly of mechanical parts working together. The failure of a single part can lead to the failure of the entire system  

Just as cars are mechanical devices, so are firearms. The failure of a single small component can render the entire system non-functional. It is crucial, therefore, to maintain our firearms and ammunition diligently. (Without ammunition, a firearm is merely a heavy stick.) No one wants to experience brake failure when the car in front of them suddenly stops, nor does anyone want to deal with a jam when an 800 kg buffalo is charging at them in the bush.

CARE OF AMMUNITION – STORAGE

Why Proper Ammunition Storage is Important

Storing ammunition properly protects it from damage and deterioration, which could lead to ammunition failure at a crucial moment. Ensuring ammunition functionality can save lives and protect clients. Additionally, ammunition is expensive, and shortages sometimes occur, especially for certain calibers. Proper storage can save money and ensure availability when access is limited.

Factors Influencing Ammunition Storage

Several factors affect ammunition storage, including:

• Humidity
• Temperature
• Chemical agent exposure
• Light exposure
• Mechanical damage
• Natural degradation

Humidity

• Effects on Ammunition

Both direct water exposure and humidity can have devastating effects on ammunition. The powder is sealed in a case well-crimped to the bullet head and even full immersion may not immediately damage it if it is quickly and properly dried.  There are no seals or gaskets, however, between the case and the bullet head, hence the mounting is not waterproof. Long-term exposure or improper drying can seriously compromise functionality.

You don’t need to cross a river or swim away from a croc – inappropriate storage of your ammunition is enough to lead to deterioration, e.g. close to a humid wall or near a potential under a sink. The powder contained in ammunition is very sensitive to humidity, but even if the humidity does not reach the powder, it can oxidate and corrode the metal parts of the ammunition, such as the case and the bullet-head; a process that may result in a jam when you try to fire the ammunition.

• Preventing Humidity Contamination

The original cardboard packaging of ammunition does not adequately protect ammunition from humidity, as paper absorbs moisture easily. Store ammunition in a sealed plastic box with a gasket or a sealed plastic bag, preferably with a silica-gel desiccant pack to absorb residual humidity.

Ammunition needs to be stored in a safe, which needs to be positioned to avoid humidity contamination. Avoid placing the safe directly in touch with the floor (particularly if it is located at the ground floor with humidity possibly coming up from the ground). The safe can be insulated from the ground using wood or, better, plastic spacers.

Also avoid mounting the safe against a perimeter wall that might be affected by humidity penetrating from the external environment or, if unavoidable, put an insulating layer between the safe and the wall.

When carrying ammunition in the bush in humid conditions, such as during the rainy season, always use protective measures, always carry a “raincoat” for the ammunition, and also take precautions when you store ammunition in your tent or room.

Temperature

• Effects on Ammunition

High temperatures can trigger chemical or physical reactions, causing deterioration of powder and primer. Fire, as a heat source, can cause the powder to detonate if directly exposed to fire when temperature rises over a certain level (although the risk to human safety is low as the powder detonates, the case usually explodes like a blooming flower, without projecting the bullet, because it is not confined in a rifle’s chamber. Temperatures over 50°C (a temperature that can be easily reached in a metal box under the sun) can cause ammunition to “sweat” because the temperature triggers a reaction in the powder causing nitrocellulose to turn into gas.

• Preserving Ammunition from Heat

One of the first rules to prevent heat from affecting ammunition is to be sure that your rounds and the container where they are stored are constantly in the shade and in a cool corner of the house, tent or room. The safe where you store the ammunition must not be reached by direct sunlight. (The rays of the sun through window glass may heat up the metal structure of the safe.) Never leave ammunition in a vehicle under the sun or near any source of heat like a heaters or bonfire, etc. Metal-roof structures such as cabins, garage or shades can become too hot, damaging stored rounds.

Chemical Agents

Avoid storing ammunition near chemicals like ammonia, commonly found in solvents used for cleaning firearms. Keep ammunition separate from cleaning kits.

Mechanical Damage

Ammunition dropped or hitting hard surfaces should be carefully inspected for scratches or dents to detect any possible scratch or hollow that might cause a jam when firing. Avoid loose storage to prevent damage from rounds hitting each other during handling.  The original cardboard package is the ideal box in which to store the ammunition (but see humidity prevention rules). When you buy loose rounds, roll them in a paper sheet, to avoid them moving and hitting each other.

Light Exposure

Long-term light exposure, particularly UV rays, can damage metals. Always store ammunition in a dark place.

Natural Degradation

Despite careful storage, ammunition has a finite lifespan due to powder degradation. The powder can also be corrosive, and, in the long term, it can corrode the case. Some high-quality ammunition can last more than 20 years but it is a good thing to carefully check each round at least once a year, to detect signs of corrosion typically appearing as discoloured patches.

Summary – CDS Principles

The acronym “CDS” summarizes the main principles for safe ammunition storage: COOL – DRY – STABLE.

CARE OF AMMUNITION – WHERE & HOW TO STORE

By law, guns and ammunition must be stored in a safe. Store ammunition in a secure, accessible-only-to-you location, away from children and unauthorized people. It is advisable not to store guns and ammunition together to prevent an intruder from using them inappropriately.

Consistently store ammunition in the same place to avoid confusion and loss of time in an emergency. Apply the same principle to the safe key.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN STORING AMMUNITION

• Do not mix different calibers and types.
• Store rounds in clearly labeled containers showing caliber and type of ammunition.
• Keep reloaded ammunition separate from new ones and use reloaded rounds only for practice on the range. Use new ammunition when you operate in the bush for greater reliability.

• Pay attention to dry rounds used for practice, keeping them well-separated from live rounds and properly marked to avoid confusion. Misusing dry rounds could result in unsafe situations. It would be really an uncomfortable situation trying to stop a charging elephant using empty rounds or, on the other side, shooting a big hole through your garage door (and through what/who lays behind it) when you want to practice at home your reloading skill.

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By adhering to these practices, you can ensure the longevity and reliability of your ammunition and firearms.