As in all things, it depends.

Ammunition we use heavily (both my reloads & commercial). Dumped into cans, easier to charge up magazines. As needs be. I don't mix anything, so whatever in its own cans.

Lesser used, or just for LTS: boxes (or cases of ammo) in cans. May mix, depending.

I have many cans of varying sizes, up to holding cases of ammo.

Silica packs added, as cans filled.

 

My 2/100 of a dollar,

I leave pretty much everything in the original box, but with modification. For handgun ammo, I find that I can usually fit twice as much in the manufacturers box by removing the trays. A box of 50 rounds of 45acp will fit 100rds without the tray, 50 rounds of 9mm typically holds 100, etc. I just dump the ammo in, shake to settle, repeat until it’s full, then tape the ends with masking tape, which signals to myself that it’s doubled. Saves space, mostly. I only do this with fmj ammo though. My HPs just stay as they are, in a separate ammo can dedicated to that caliber.

Rifle ammo is different, a bit. My 5.56 mostly stays either in a magazine, or in “The Box,” which is a heavy duty Rubbermaid container filled with a mix of M193, M855, and Black Hills 77gr OTM in 20rd boxes. The idea being that if I have to bug out (which is my shtf plan: to my parent’s place), I can just grab that box along with my other stuff and be set.

I don’t keep much on hand for other calibers, because I don’t really shoot my hunting rifles or classics very often. If I do take them out, I just buy ammo on the way. Whatever is left just goes in a pile of assorted half used boxes in the closet.

 

Leave in original packaging, then into a ammo box

 

With modern commercial ammo I always leave it in the cardboard boxes and throw them in the ammo can. I like the fact I can easily tell how much ammo I am grabbing and exactly what brand it is.

Ammo cans are cheap I don't mind buying a couple extra.

 

Various ways.

Bulk loose in ammo cans, clipped ammo in cans, boxes of commercial in cans, reloads in plastic boxes in cans or in racks, and a large amount in mags, some in cans, with some in pouches on belts.
The cans vary. Military metal 30, 50, or larger cans, and a large number of plastic cans or crates of various sizes.

I like when an odd color goes on sale, like, my 10 mm is in pink cans, and the x39 is in zombie green cans.

 

Some in ammo cans but with over 80k rounds I have most of it out in the open

 

I use .30 & .50 caliber cans with desiccant packs in them. Most are loose rounds just dumped in. I use index cards with the date and round count on them. Some are over 30 years old from when the Clinton administration was banning things.
No issues with any of the ammo.
Probably should upgrade my 5.56 rounds why the improved ammo available now.

 

...Should I weigh out the ammo can first and then an individual round of the ammunition so that I can figure out the approximate count?

Missed this Q earlier, sorry!

Anyways, you could, I suppose. Likely easiest to label cans caliber/type/#. You would begin with a known number, then as used just roughly adjust your label over time.

Super easy (if dumping boxed commercial into cans) is to use a commercial box as the label, or if doesn't work well that way for the particular whatever, then flattened or cut up box INSIDE the can...

 

My reloads generally are in cans like this:

Sometimes I'll put the reloads in small boxes such as if I'm putting it in a BOB or some other container.

Commercial ammo I leave in the original boxes.

It should, if possible, be stored in a cool, dry place.

 

I load large plastic 38-gallon tubs with unopened cases of ammo, then throw some dessicant packs in the tubs before sealing them. Depending on the calliber, each tub holds several thousand rounds.

I also have a couple tubs filled with loaded mags. Finally, I keep a couple cases of loose ammo in G-Code Bang Boxes.

 

Rifle ammo is in original boxes, then 50cal ammo boxes. Same with pistol, except 30cal ammo boxes. A couple of 30cal ammo boxes are loose reloads of 9mm and 45. All this stuff needs to be in small enough lots, as to be carry able.

 

I keep everything in the boxes. I store those in ammo cans around the house, old cat litter pails. For an easy grab I like little coolers I find at yard sales. And they don't look like ammo storage.

 

Pretty much everything I have is in 30 cal cans. Makes it easier to carry. They are also vac packed and have dessicant pouches.
I leave everything in boxes. I just buy more cans when on sale.

 

If I buy commercial I leave it in the original packaging. Especially if it’s rimfire. If I load it then I put in hard plastic ammo boxes like Plano makes. Then that either goes in ammo cans or in range bags. I like to have 500 of each caliber in a range bag and then ammo cans. Desiccant in the ammo cans but I’ve never had an issue.

 

Stacking unopened cases wherever.
Some of everything in boxes / bags are in an ammo cabinet, ready to use.
SHTF ammo in ammo cans by boxes.
IMHO, if one wants to sell or trade, ammo in original packaging is necessary.

 

IMHO, if one wants to sell or trade, ammo in original packaging is necessary.

Thats what I was thinking. Most of my ammo is reloads and those are for the most part in plactic boxes. If I do a reload run like 500 9mm or 38 Special I will store it bulk in plastic tubs depending on what have on hand. The large tub of peanuts I get at WM work really well for hold lose 9mm and 38. I also have one of this containers full of 223/5.56 loads.

Ammo that comes in factory boxes stays in the box. And battle bags are left bagged up. Even if its stored in an ammo can it stays in the bags/boxes. I sold a bunch of .380 during Covid and got top dollar for it. I would have had a hard time selling it if I had of dumped it in bulk in a container.

In another thread I stated I need to buy a few cases of 9mm, 5.56 and .22lr and wait for the next panic so I can sell it a scalper prices. If I do buy in cases it will stay in the case in the factory boxes. Its worth more in cash or trade that way.

 

Pic of 30mm cans on dollies, with a .30 cal, .50 cal & 40mm can for size comparison:

Loaded 30mm cans would have to be 2 man carried. While loaded 30mm cans can be single fit adult carried.

Not pictured, "fat" .50 caliber cans. Just a bit larger than a regular .50cal can. Bought a bunch of them & installed pins for locks in some (getting ahead of a stupid Oregon law for transporting standard capacity magazines to ranges/clubs).

 

Ammo can, in original packaging + dessicant pack.

 

I keep mine in the original boxes, some in ammo cans. Most of my 5.56 comes in cans or else on clips for easy loading. I keep SD handgun ammo on a reinforced shelf, sorted by caliber. I shoot very little .380 or .38 so am not restocking that. If I do shoot it all I'll keep about 100 rds of each. But I still have about 25-30 rds of .38 semi wad-cutter that I loaded in the 1970's. Though I have newer stuff.

^^^ Not actually my ammo bunker.

 

I keep mine in the original boxes, some in ammo cans. Most of my 5.56 comes in cans or else on clips for easy loading. I keep SD handgun ammo on a reinforced shelf, sorted by caliber. I shoot very little .380 or .38 so am not restocking that. If I do shoot it all I'll keep about 100 rds of each. But I still have about 25-30 rds of .38 semi wad-cutter that I loaded in the 1970's. Though I have newer stuff.

View attachment 611578
^^^ Not actually my ammo bunker.

OMG! That ammo bunker pic ! My next thought was that Envy is one of the deadly sins. Then I read your comment that it was NOT your bunker. What a GREAT post! Fantastic pic!! Thanks

 

I can significantly condense my major FMJ calibers (9mm and 5.56) into 50 cal ammo cans by getting rid of the factory boxes and trays. I dump the ammo into snack size bags. I do cut off the box flap and throw that into the snack size bag so I know what it is and have the plant code. When I head to the range I’ll grab 4 snack bags and know I have 200 rounds with me. The snack size bags fit better into my range bag too and make things a little less bulky.

 

I pack in the boxes inside REAL GI ammo cans just like the military does. I also buy ammo such as 5.56 in the ammo can from the factory when available. IT really did suck when we moved and I forgot how much ammo I had. I still have not moved it all. A few Pallets. I still have ammo that looks like new from Y2k and older. Best way to store (and on stripper clips for rifle stuff)

 

In SHTF I would think a box or two of ammo is easier to handle than a full can of ammo carted around or pockets full of loose rounds. I leave them in the boxes and put the boxes in ammo cans. Exception is some bulk .357 ammo in plastic tote packets. Mainly to distinguish between Hornady rifle type .357 and regular .357 stuff

 

I never trust ammo that I get from individuals. I scored about 1000 rounds for$50 not long ago. Broke it all down for the brass and bullets and reloaded it all. Even tossed the primers. If I don’t buy it from a store new, I assume the box is just being reused to.
I store ammo in cardboard boxes in metal ammo cans with good seals and a desiccant pack tossed in for good measure.

 

Should mention .... I 100% like steel cans over plastic ones. Have some of each, my long term storage ones are all steel usgi style.
The plastic while having a rubber seal like the usgi aren't sealed as the handles usually have holes that aren't sealed.

 

I get factory ammo by the case when the deals are good.
All stacked in a cabinet in the basement that always is cool and dry.
The cabinet isnt air tight.
I run a dehumidifier that empties itself into an outside drain so i never have to worry about it.

 

I find that non-working refrigerators are a good way to store boxed (not in metal cans) ammo. A non-working frig can usually be sourced free, are bug and rodent proof and prevent temperature extremes. They also hold a lot and usually have adjustable shelves for more flexibility. You can put a simple hasp and padlock on the door if some security is desired. You can put a large desiccant bag inside it as well. They do seal remarkably well, even when they are not working. I find they are useful for ammo that I intend to use within a year or so. Everything else goes into USGI metal ammo cans.

 

I used to do the broken frig thing for the same basic idea. I had an unheated garage/workshop at the time and needed something freeze and moisture proof. An old metal shelved frig fit the bill.
I gutted the pump and everything from underneath, lightning it up, then wired up the the inside frig bulb to stay on when the door was closed.
I kept all my woodworking finishes, glues, and my welding rods inside. Kept the finishes from freezing, and kept the stick welding rod from drawing moisture.