Most of the, "Big Box", stores have 2 gal, 3.5 gal, etc. buckets available as well. (That'll keep you from storing more than you can carry) I even use them to store my once-fired brass, for reloading, too!
I personally think all ammo should be stored in a fireproof safe or one that takes an hour or so to burn through. Here's why. An friend of mine had to let her house burn to the ground because of the ammo. It was a dryer fire and emergency services had to stand down because the ammo started cooking off. Fortunately, a veteran neighbor got her dogs out.
Fireproof safes are only rated at a certain temps for a certain amount of time, usually 30-60 minutes, theres really no such thing as ‘fireproof’, just about everything has a melting point, in a lot of cases of homes burning down, even in fireproof safes ammo can cook off, and all thats left are the metal parts of guns, ive seen wood stocks turned to charcoal, synthetic stock melt into a puddle, and cases exploded in the boxes of even the highest rated safes. And to make another point, if a cartridge is out of the barrel of a firearm, just sitting in a box and it cooks off, it really doesnt pose a threat to anyone, at that point they are just like firecrackers. And honestly, ammunition that has been subject to a house fire and ‘survives’ i wouldnt trust in any gun. So its a total loss anyway.
The part about paint buckets may have gone by some. I have several used (they have paint on the labels) paint buckets with bagged loose. You probably don’t want more than one or two of the same color if your hiding in plain sight. You don’t see them often for free.
I think that 5 gallon bucket with, say, 20 pounds of ammo and some basic long term survival items. Butane canisters, Mountain House foods, pocket rocket stove, hand gun, etc. Having a few of those placed strategically, easily accessible - and - very important - in places where you won’t forget where you placed them. You know we’re men. If you don’t have your wife, daughter or some other female, they’re going to be invisible but right in front of your face. Placement matters more than content.
I bought “rechargeable” desiccant packs for my ammo cans. Once a month check for a color change and I can store frequently used stuff along side long term stuff
+1 for the paint cans. I'll use ziplock bags to put the ammo in, then clingwap. Stick some pink foam board in the can(small blocks) and put the bags on top of it. Pack the can full and then top off with whatever cheap oil I have. Seal it and forget about it. 50cal cans are great for medium term storage, smaller to bring with to the range. But for SHTF times.... that ammo in the oil will be new long after I can't use it.
7:17 so I've been asking this a lot: what defines a "stockpile"? I have seen some news articles that define some "stockpiles" or "arsenals" next to numbers that seem far too low. I guess I'll keep using the DoT regs and figure if I don't need orange 1.4 placards on my Jeep (over 1001 lbs of small arms), I should feel OK with what I have. OVER and I have to go to the range more.
If you ask the media 2 guns and 200 rounds of ammo is a stock pile. The reality is 200 rounds of ammo is an afternoon on the range. In my video about how to store ammo, I suggest people should probably have 2,000 rounds of ammo in their home.
young man you have good ideas . I’ve been a reloader of over 42 years. self defense ammunition designer, a specialty of ultra reduced center fire rifle and pistol ammunition for special purposes. quiet and lethal. hunter rifleman / marksman. the very worst enemy to our ammunition is household chemicals . they themselves or a combination of chemicals creep into the boxes then the primers . I’ve neen at this a long time. before I tell you how I store m y ammunition I must address dangerous semi automatic ammunition. it’s my belief 95-98 percent of gun blow up is due to ammunition and 2-4 percent the weapons. i rarely buy new ammunition unless it’s something I don’t reload like 22- shot guns . and ammunition that does not have a crimping gruve and crimped is subject to especially semi automatic weapons shooting rapidly causing bullet to slip back into caseing and building up extremely dangerous pressures them kaboom. the way I check my ammunition eather my reloads or factory ammunition is place a peace of board on a table and with bullet nose between fingers and thumbs crossed over back or primer end and push really hard. you will fell and at times hear if it slipped back into caseing. throw it away immediately if it slipped back. example: a 9 mm round chambering maximum is 39.500 pounds pressure per square inch. according to powder burning rate, bullet weight and outher factors if bullets back up in caseing 3/32 of a inch it’s possible to get 4,000-7,500 thousand pounds of more pressure blowing up weapons causing serious injuries or death. yes I have experience d digging out brass and fragments out of me and not sure at one time if I had permanently damaged a eye . please check check that ammunition, prove it safe. and even checking my reloads sometimes I have bullets slip back and would never known it if I didn’t check it especially reloading large amounts with mixed brands of brass cases. revolver ammunition is less dangerous if slipping occurs on recoil bullet moves forward and out end of chamber locking up gun. i check my ammunition with no exceptions or excuses. the lives and safety of my family demands it. ok now how I store my ammunition long term. i take the 100 storage bag with twist ties . open and empty boxes , put bag around ammunition putting in rice, twist tie , seal box with clear tape as air tight as possible. then I have plastic you buy to put down painting, the thicker the better. cut a square big enough to wrap it like a present, tape air tight. store to your choice. i also get poster paper from Walmart making small boxes like 5 shotguns shells, 25 rounds pistol ammunition, 10-20 round boxes of rifle ammunition. to give family , friends, neighbors if it gets bad . these smaller boxes can be easily hid . i wrap and store these in the same manner. a few days ago I lost a 5 gallon bucket of these smaller packs of ammunition I knew they were here. I am older, not as quick thinking and sharp as I once was . then I remember ed I put them I a secret hiding place and forgot. it’s my hope and prayers this will be of help to someone. young man I apologize if I made you mad with this long, long comment. but it may save a life. Nana and papa wishing you well and great things for the dark days ahead. from the foothills of the blue ridge mountains in North Carolina.
If I could win a 5 gallon bucket of 22lr I would set for a while 🤩 or if someone would like to donate it too me I would accept that too. Anyone?? I would be very happy 😆 I know the 50 cal ammo can will hold 6k of 22lr in zip lock bags. 🇺🇸🙏🏽🇺🇸
Ammo prices have stabilized and as much as I hate it, I don't see them dropping significantly any time soon. I've been buying in bulk at www.ammoseek.com
Ammo is not that expensive online depending on the caliber. Ya of course obscure rounds are going to cost a lot. .45 is also always expensive. .380, 9mm, 223/5.56, 7.62x39, things like that. Are not expensive. Even now years after you left this comment. Especially 9mm I got a whole case of fiocchi for $9 a box online. Free shipping. Sure it isn't like it used to be but nothing is anymore. EVERYTHING is more expensive than it was 30+ years ago.
More often than not, any good information can be rewarding should one peel away what will turn a light on for them. It would be as, never underestimated one's enemy should they beat you every time with simplicity. Thank you for your vision.