I picked up a cheap camera and wireless lapel mic to try and figure out something for when I hit the range. Let me know what y'all think about it. I think the camera is gonna work out ok once I bump it up to 4k outdoors especially to get target angles but I'm not completely happy with the mic just yet. I think I have the mic clipped a little too close to my face so when my voice volume goes up, its distorting a little. I also noticed when I went to edit this that there are a couple times when I was getting interference, but I realized afterwards that I can change the frequency. After I did that, I didn't have the issue in a few test videos. Hopefully I can get it tweaked to where I'm happy enough with it because this wireless mic will come in handy on the range for sure. Let me know what y'all think and any tips you have. 👍
I did a long term expirament, put silica gel packs with moisture indicators on them like what you have, in a few metal and plastic ammo cans, and let them sit for a year. When i opened them, all the gel packs in the metal cans still showed blue like they had just been opened. The ones in the plastic cans had all turned pink. The cans sat in my closet, didn't get tossed around at all. Good info in this video, have to protect those long term investments!
@@JustMe-999a same here, no need to store ammo in cans unless it's humid or too dry. my oldddd surplus ammo from before I was born all shoot fine. I don't expose them to anything nor anything damaging.
I was a security inspector at an Army depot. We had earth covered magazine/bunkers full of ordnance that had no electricity installed. There were a number with pre-positioned pack out loads for deployments. These were small arms in original crates in original cans with the lead and wire seals in place. The data on the inventory documentation showed most of the ammunition was more than 10 years in the igloo. No heating, no a/c, no humidity control. I believe in “MIL-STANDARD” ammo cans.
I'm making this comment about 4 minutes into the video and my experience has been 100% in agreement. I started out using some plastic ammo cans, but eventually replaced them all with metal. Good advice.
You are absolutely right. I had only these 50 cal plastic ones and one time I put something like 17 or 18 boxes of 44 Mag in them. I had it on a high shelf. I went to lift it off by the handle and then handle broke off, the plastic ammo tin fell on the ground about 5 feet drop and the lid broke open on one side and a couple of boxes of ammo fell out. I would never trust these plastic ones again with any significant amount of weight. The only reason why I would prefer plastic is because they are lockable whereas the metal ones are not
The metal cans are lockable. Run a typical gun lock that comes with every new gun through the hole in the latch and the front handle. Bazinga, its looked.
The surplus mil spec ones are easier to lock. The knock offs at rural king or tractor supply only have a little hole you have to use a cable. Whereas the surplus can use a master lock.
I have 2 steel ammo cans that I have had for 50 years, dad got them for me to store my G.I. Joe stuff in back in the late 60's and they still seal tight. and used for ammo now
late to the party on this one, but I use plastic ammo cans for things like first aid supplies that are also sealed in their own containers inside the ammo can. they're great for keeping things together and organized. not so great at long term ammo storage. Like you I also store used brass in them, sealed black powder supplies etc. I ended up getting several of the plastic cans years ago from someone who didn't want them. I think of them like knock off tupperware. lol
I like how the metal 50 cal cans stack on each other. Ive got some stacked four high in my basement. Those things are heavy as hell but theres no worry about them warping and falling over .
Thanks to this video I just ordered 3 of these 50cal metal cans out the door for $40 shipped to my door in 2 days 3-17-22 wish I could've ordered more. Thank you for the advice. I'm new and trying to learn everything on my own(not by choice) so I appreciate any help I can get. I'm about to buy more ammo and just ask for forgiveness from the wife.
I would occasionally pick up the small plastic ones for 3 bucks a piece the large ones for 6 bucks. At the time the metal ones were A) hard to find, and B) fifteen to twenty five bucks each depending on condition. I know, the metal ones can be put underwater, so it is a proven better seal, but for what I've done with 16 ammo cans it would have cost me three to four times as much, and I haven't had problems with the plastic ones. Been doing it for years. No problems with corrosion on shotshells, rust on reloading dies, of issues with primers.
New gun owner and glad I came across your channel. Starting to get into bulk ammo storage and this really helped me. Camera & Mike quality is good. Liked & Subbed! 👊🏾
Under IDEAL conditions, ammo can sit on a shelf without being an ammo can it be good for decades But aren't we preppers? Aren't we preparing for circumstances that are NOT IDEAL? How many people live in apartments with sprinkler systems, every single house has pipes that can break, basements that can flood, or living areas that have flood risks ect. THAT is what ammo cans are for Protecting your onvestments when life tosses you curve balls ..
I agree metal over plastic, the militaries around the world use metal for a reason. I've been useing some for some of my ammo, but slowly adding more cans to keep my stuff safe. I've got a lot of loose ammo in various calibers, and I reload alot. I figure I should load more of it vs keeping components.
@@ToolsandTargets I've got Dillon 1050, so it makes no sense to just have a pile of parts. I'll be converting the components into readi use for the calibers I use
Nice video! You're 100% correct about the silicone on the rubber seals. I use Hornadys Unique case lube on all my ammo cans. It also works on leather! My vote is more .223/5.56 & 10mm videos- keep'em comin.
Not to burst anyone’s bubbles … but all the cans on that table are made in China. Metal and plastic. The only US made cans still available comes through surplus and companies specializing in getting (used) product from mil.
@@ToolsandTargets … 😊 I’ve seen a couple of side by side comparisons of Sino vs US steel cans, and in general and on the surface they are similar. BUT, not the same. The US steel strength is stronger … therefore less flex and therefore better water and moisture sealed. The US ones are to US mil spec. The sino products claim to be but are not. Besides … support US workers and Made in the USA brother. 👍🏻 Anything sino benefits the CCP. If funds allows in the future, how about getting US made products and test those against each other … incl plastics? Just a thought …
The only "Plastic" ammo cans I would really trust with anything substantial are those big, beefy Pelican ones made of high-impact polymer. But considering they're expensive as hell and not efficient space-wise (they're weirdly-shaped), they're only really good for specific things. Durable as hell though, and they come with little pressure equalization valves. They do seal very well at least.
Plastic cans are for organization, not for long term storage. I have plenty of both! I've found the 30 cal cans are more practical, the 50s don't fit right in my cabinets or my safe.
I bought a plastic cam for my first one, accidentally dropped it off of the tailgate of my stock, not jacked up, F150 pick up truck a week after I got it with maybe 100 rounds in in the thing and the top busted right off. The hinges we just absolute junk. Threw it away and have bought metal cans since. I rest well knowing that if we start getting rained on, my can will keep my ammo dry…as long as I remember to close the damn things.
A suggestion. If you see oil field service companies going out of business or auctioning/selling assets, we use the hell out of surplus 30 and 50 cal cans for parts and fittings. WV would be the closest place for oil field service companies around you.
I agree that the metal cans are better than the plastic cans. I do think the plastic ones have a use though. I just picked up a set of the plastic ones for my reloading components. One holds my brass, one holds my primers, one holds my projectiles. My 4000 primers are in those vacuum seal bags with a pack of desiccant pack.
Yep, I've ordered a bunch of stuff from HF back when they did all the freebies and stuff. Only problem for me is the nearest one is like 35 minutes away. 😆
@@joemoment-o1275 Funny thing is now we have one that opened a few months ago less than 10 minutes away, but now I don't really need anything else from there.😆
I rarely buy the same ammo because my supplier has different manufacturers. So I like to keep my ammo in it's original boxes. Also to remind me of the ballistics. I also use a dymo label maker to indicate what ammo I have in each magazine. I also inventory my ammo by manufacturer, grain, bullet type, whether or not it's +P, and the amount. I'd like to have 1000 rds of each caliber, but I have a long way to go to achieve that goal.
I get "so Called" Factory Reloads at the gun show in plastic cans. Every now and then can find cheap stuff in metal cans. My stored Ammo only last thru the winter, then once the snow melts it rapidly gets used
I'm so paranoid when I throw out ammo store boxes they go in a separate plastic Walmart bag with no name and address anywhere near that bag... and least I'm not the only one that buys Walmart cans... Tractor Supply had great 50 cal cans at $10 too!
If I'm going to shoot the ammo within a year, I just throw the factory boxes in a plastic can for easy carrying to the range. For long term storage, I vacuum seal them with desiccant packs in the bag and place them in a large plastic box with some additional 'free floating' desiccant packs in the bottom of it. They been perfectly fine for years now.
lol that's how I store my ammo to. lol. I use Lowes buckets though. I've been using 5 gal buckets with lids for years. haven't had a single problem at all.
About 6 or 7 years ago a guy here on YT, did a 1 year experiment. He filled a plastic and metal ammo can with boxes of ammo. He then submerged them in a pond for an entire year. He pulled them out and opened them up and the metal can was perfect no water was able to get into the can. The seal was intact but the plastic can was soaked, all the ammo was wet and the seal was broken in a couple of places.
While I have metal 50 cal ammo cans. I also have quite a few MTM 50 cal Zombie cans. They are not flimsy plastic. I like how they stack. I was also getting them on clearance every year from a hardware store. I have a couple cheap flimsy plastic cans I use as range cans. I even have four 25mm ammo cans for the Bushmaster cannon on the Bradley. They are plastic, but we'll engineered plastic. I think nothing about standing on them as a step if needed. I wish I had gotten more of these when I had the chance.
Take this with a grain of salt. I avoid those "Walmart 50 cal metal cans". These Walmart ammo cans are made in china. I bought 3 in the past. I tested all 3 by loading them up with rocks or whatever weight and submerged them in water. 10mins. I pull them out after 10mins and let them dry off for 1 hour. The cans leaked. The local Harbor Freight in my area sell mix mash of 50 cal metal cans. It has Made in Vietnam and Made in China cans. I bought some of the Chinese made in china from the local Haber Freight in my area. Same thing. They all leaked. The Made in Vietnam seems to be okay.
Around a year ago Walmart changed their cans to a much worse quality . The green ones like in the video were pretty nice. The new style is drab brown, and the quality is visibly bad. Both made in China tho.
Also add a date to the label on the can and I add a couple labels inside with details and a date it was purchased. A full 50 cal box will weigh 50-70 lbs.
Steel ammo boxes are the best in my opinion Not just for ammo either First aid supplies Tools Optics Documents and currency's I even use a 16 inch tall 50 can for my scopes and rings along with a tool kit The one thing I would not store in a ammo can is food Thanks for the videos And the great info You have a good one brother Just saying
Good for camera gear too. Pretty much anything you want to protect. I remember when those cans were five bucks each, and thinking wow, how can they charge so much for them! Now I wish I'd bought more than the few I have. They're great for all sorts of stuff, made with MUCH better quality than "civilian" toolboxes etc.
I bought a combo pack from ammo can man and I could not be more happy! Quality cans at a reasonable price not that cheap Chinese junk they sell at the discount stores!!
Much appreciated. I really like this little cheap wireless mic for my range footage especially. I'm having to use the built in mic on this little cam inside though because I'm getting some kind of interference I noticed on a few vids here and there from who knows what. It only seems to happen inside. I'm guessing it's my wifi or something going on. I'm so picky about sound especially that I'll probably upgrade again very soon. I know how annoying it can be to watch a vid with bad sound. 😆
I have alot of plastic cans and yea their not the best but for a couple bucks it's better than nothing. I've also made the mistake of buying cheap Walmart 50 cal cans and had the handles bend apart so now I primarily only run USA 30 cal or 50 cal. I still keep my cheap ones just for organizing things but anything I feel I might need to move more then once and it goes in higher quality can. But 3 to 5 dollars is much more cost effective than 20 to 30 a can for the metal so they do have a place
Another great informational video from Tools! Have you ever used one of the tall 81mm metal ammo cans? Probably come both new and military surplus. They hold about 6X more than the 50cal cans but I see them for $5-$10 more than the 50cal. Of course the benefit is alot more storage for the money and the downside being you might not be able to lift it....lol.
Thank you sir. I haven't tried them but I think I know the ones you're talking about. I don't know if my floor will hold too much more ammo as it is!🤣🤣
I think you have done well stacking it deep my friend. I saw one of these tall ammo cans listed for sale but it didn't have any writing on it. I asked the seller if it was military; he said it was. I asked about any writing on it. He said his son works for the government and told him to clean off the writing if he ever sold it, that the information was classified. What could it have possibly stored?
Love the .50 cal cans, no better storage for ammo! I do have a problem though, more of a sickness I believe...I'm up to about 45 cans now, not including my .30 cal boxes... 🙄
i like the .30cal metal ammo cans the best. the .50 cal ammo cans get a little heavy when they are full. i have metal cans for the ammo, and plastic ones for accessories just like you have going on. lol
I love the plastic ones myself...i have steel ones too but for storing boxes of ammo they work just fine. Throw in a moisture pack and put em in the closet. Done
I have a fairly large collection of metal military cans (close to 50 of them!) in which I store ammo. I even have a huge one that is about half full of primers. Some of the older ones the seals are old and hard as rocks and don't seal all that well but they are definitely strong. However, I'm going to be looking into some plastic cans with intention of changing over to them instead of the metal cans for just one specific reason: fear if fire. If the plastic cans are exposed to fire they melt then allow the ammo to cook off relatively harmlessly. On the other hand, if the metal cans are exposed to fire, they become a bomb - especially if filled with primers! Of course, any replacement plastic cans would have to be moisture proof and at this point, I have yet to actually look into it, so I'm not even sure if it's possible (or if I can afford it!). One possibility would be storing the ammo in plastic zip lock freezer bags, which can be "burped" to remove all the air. They will remain perfectly sealed until the bag is punctured. Anyway, time will tell! As for storage, when it comes to rifle ammo, instead of storing ammo by caliber, I mark the cans by specific rifle, especially my .308, since I have 2 and the ammo is not interchangeable at all! One is a standard chamber and the other is a custom rifle with a tight chamber so the average .308 cartridge will simply not chamber! Others, I do by caliber. I store my powder in a relatively new sears reefer because the compressor died right at 30 days over the warranty period and sears wouldn't cover it! Last sears appliance I'll ever buy! Anyway, I ripped all the guts out, sealed every thing up and now it's a powder magazine! And won't be a bomb in a fire! Like you, I like the little dessicant cans that can be recharged when necessary. Very convenient and works well! Cheers, jc
@@ToolsandTargets Not sure how good a plan and of course we all know what happens to the plan on first contact with the enemy (in this, anyone that takes a credit card!). Cheers, jc
Try some 303 spray to soften the rubber on hard seals. It's basically silicone oils and platicizers, also works grerat on car door seals and other rubber products. Wipe it on, let it soak in, put more on if it soaks it all up, and wipe off any excess after 10 minutes or so. Once a single round goes off in the metal can, they will deform and outgass, no worries about bombs. Primers might start a chainfire, but are despersed enough not to create a pressure vector. But if you insist, I will gladly take the metal cans off you. ;-)
I put 500 rounds in a 1 gallon zip lock bag! You can still put a 1000 rounds in the same can! Doubles your protection! Put a bag full in the sink over night and had no water intrusion! Then you can still use the plastic cans!
One maybe better than the other but in reality it’s not that big of a deal. I’ve reloaded shotgun ammo for 30 plus years. Boxes sat in my garage(not temp controlled)in drawers that I built for storage. Some of those shotgun boxes sat for 15 years and never had one swell, misfire, or completely just fall apart. Temps varied from minus zero to over 100 every year. Gunpowder, primers, shells(paper and plastic) all in the same environment and zero issues. I’m not saying this is the best choice but it’s not that crucial. Now, for metal cartridges I’ve only kept .22’s out there and some of the brass has discolored but still no issues. They haven’t sat as long as some of the shotgun shells have
I really appreciate that! Hoping to get some good range and shooting footage soon if this weather will cooperate a little. Thanks a lot for the comment. 😎
@@coreysuttles1362 Nice, I was born and raised in GA but been a Virginian for about 26 years now. This cold weather and snow in the winter was a shock to the system for sure! 🥶
Interesting topic. I only have plastic and they are stored in an extremely dry basement in Colorado. Been considering adding metal to the mix. The plastic ones’ handles struggle with high round count weight. Time to diversify. !!!
Unfortunately, I couldn't. I have heard someone say you could but when you put an unopened case of them next to a .50 cal can, I don't see how it's possible.
If you look it up online there’s a way to stack 1000 rnds of 7.62x39 in those Ammo cans. If you stack the boxes a certain way 1000 fits right in perfect
One .50 cal can will store 300 .308 in 20 round box or 1000 5.56 in 50 round box or 1000 9mm in 50 round box or 2500 .22 LR in 100 round containers (CCI plastic) I built a wooden shelving unit that houses 35 cans (5 shelves of 7 cans) for my shtf ammo which i started gathering quite a few years ago. 1500 or 5 cans .308 (900 168 gr hpbt/600 147 gr ball) 15000 or 15 cans 5.56 62 gr ball. 5000 or 5 cans of 9mm (3000 124 gr XTP/2000 124 gr ball). 25000 or 10 cans of .22 lr (5000 CCI 32 gr HP Stingers/20000 CCI 36 gr HP). ((46500 for those that count)) Each can also has a desicant pack in it. My training/hunting/range/practice ammo and ammo in other calibers is also stored on shelves but not in ammo cans. Some is stored in mags others in original box and some in mtm 100 count boxes. Enjoyed your video.
I store all my ammo in the ammo boxes mostly metal but i leave in cardboard ammo packaging and put silica packs in there. Put the ammo boxes in a gun safe with Hornady humidifier bags.but 9 out of ten of my boxes are metal
I use some plastic ones just to have somewhere nice & neat to store ammo. Its inside of course & ive always used silica packs! Guess its time to change up. The plastic is definitely inferior to the metal although the steel ones are not 100% anything. People make silly mistakes regardless. Best bet is to use some common sense or just ask someone that does.😁
I've never had any problem with plastic ammo boxes. As long as you keep ammo dry and a fairly constant temperature within about 5 degrees you're okay. I live in Utah and the last thing I have to worry about is a flood or much moisture. It's the second or third driest state. I think maybe Arizona and Nevada are a touch drier. So this advice is not good for certain areas. But fine for back east where this guy is likely from.
Great video! Have you done any waterproof testing? I was thinking maybe put some rocks in them and sink them in water to see if they hold a seal. Might be a opinion for a video. Thx William
I didn't but I have seen a few vids where it was done. The plastic cans of course don't stand a chance because of the way the top just warps as soon as you use the handle with any weight in it, but the metal ones stayed perfectly dry on the few tests I saw. Would be a good idea for a video for me though after this ammo mess finally does completely end. People will have tons of ammo needing to be stored.
@@ToolsandTargets yeah agreed thx for the video, helped me decide on a metal can. I have over 10k 22lr I want to put away. Ammo is coming in tomorrow at big 5. But there 223 and 556 is still 18.00 plus tax for 20 rounds or 1000 rounds for 799.99 plus tax. Just ain't paying there prices. I have 800 rounds of 223 which isn't enough for me. Trying to be patient cause I have owned my F1 firearms king FDR AR 15 for 2 or 3 months and still haven't shot it yet. Kind of bummed out cause I want to let it rip. Maybe I will put 300 through it tomorrow. Thx a bunch Brother! William
Agree with everything you say, but I use the plastic for long term storage. They sit in a climate controlled closet on a second story, and dont get moved. I use metal cans for my "oh shit" grab and go ammo and the ammo I take to the lease or range because they can be abused like hell.
“Unless a horde of zombies or liberals are coming after me”. Samey-same my friend, samey-same. 😂 I love my old steel ammo cans. My dad handed 2 down to me that he has had since the Korean War. The gaskets are still in great shape because dad conditioned them with a similar type grease you used. My brother gave me 1 from when he was in the Army in the late 70’s. My local Army surplus has some and I’m going to have to pick up a couple more.
I store my ammo in an unusual way I leave my ammo in the box it comes in but I seal it in a 5 gallon bucket with a snap on lid and I put a medicine with sodium cilicate powder in it with some tiny holes punched in the bottle lid to absorb moisture works very well and is very affordable
I had plastic at first until the handles started popping off on both the little plastic cans and the big mtm cans. Now it’s just metal all the way. No handles popping g off and boolits everywhere.
