Latelly my wife is hinting to me that all the crates of ammo need to go outside(ie. the garage or the shed). So I was thinking they could probably stay my detached garage. But my question is: I live in Winnipeg where the winters get fairly cold(-30 or below). Would this low temperature affect the ammo? I would assume not, but it's always a good ideea to ask on the forum.
Ammo Storage Outside
- Thread starter cz52
- Start date
Low temp will not affect ammo, but condensation will. If the ammo is loose, not in sealed crates or packs, you might want to put them in sealed ammo cans with a bit of silica gel. Will store for decades like that.
I am basically only storing my unopened crates outside; they are taking up lots of valuable indoor space. The loose ammo and the pistol stuff is simply stored in my ammo locker(which is way too small to be storing ammo crates).
- Location
- The Police State: Ontario
^^ Correct.
Low temps are fine, it is dampness and high temperatures that will destroy you gun fuel.
If you want this stuff to work when you want it to someday, it must be kept dry, out of extreme humidity and extended lengths of time at high temperatures.
Avalonthas
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toronto ON
Throw them in dry boxes, stack them in the shade
If you live in the same Winnipeg as me, temps go up to 35-38, a few times every year. Depending on the circulation in your shed, temps in the shed can really get up there, if it's in the sun, and seals really well, we could be up in 50-60 celsius range.
Winter outside would be fine, as we all like to tell the newbs in town, sure it's -40, but it's a dry cold
How many crates are we talking about? Would moving them indoors, and something less sensitive to heat outdoors, during summer be a possibility? Remember also, that our tax dollars support a whole bunch of youths (especially here in the Peg) who, due to their mothers natal drinking habits, think busting into sheds and garages is a fun pastime. Do you figure them finding a cache of ammunition is going to end positively for anyone? I'd just find a way to keep the stuff indoors, even if meant getting rid of something else.
Winter outside would be fine, as we all like to tell the newbs in town, sure it's -40, but it's a dry cold
How many crates are we talking about? Would moving them indoors, and something less sensitive to heat outdoors, during summer be a possibility? Remember also, that our tax dollars support a whole bunch of youths (especially here in the Peg) who, due to their mothers natal drinking habits, think busting into sheds and garages is a fun pastime. Do you figure them finding a cache of ammunition is going to end positively for anyone? I'd just find a way to keep the stuff indoors, even if meant getting rid of something else.
Tell the wife to keep her shoes in the garage
I mean sure, why not...I'll tell her....
NOT...
Travis Bickle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Upper Lower Middle Alberta
The only advice I can give you is the following:
Ammo is not made to be stored long term exposed to the elements. Be it extremes of hot or cold.
If it is not properly sealed in cans and packages, the prior is even more true.
If you do temporarily store it outside or in a garage/shed, don't have it directly on the ground. Keep it elevated so moisture and dampness don't build up under it and start rotting the crates.
If you could avoid storing it outside, avoid it at all costs
Ammo is not made to be stored long term exposed to the elements. Be it extremes of hot or cold.
If it is not properly sealed in cans and packages, the prior is even more true.
If you do temporarily store it outside or in a garage/shed, don't have it directly on the ground. Keep it elevated so moisture and dampness don't build up under it and start rotting the crates.
If you could avoid storing it outside, avoid it at all costs
- Location
- Georgetown Ontario
Stack them up in the middle of the living room, put a glass top over them and use them as a coffee table. Just swap empty cases for full ones as needed. Problem solved!
- Location
- calgaryish
Your wife would hate me, the storage under my stairs, yea guns safes and ammo. Spare bedroom downstairs, Ammo, hunting and fishing gear. My wife does not care as long as she does not see it, and yes she knows what i have and knows its cost after all she get the credit card bills.
The ideal is Cool and Dry.
Cold will not - not - damage properly-made small arms ammo.
Heat will because it accelerates the chemical processes leading to the breakdown of propellant. In very early smokeless propellant, especially in large quantities, this could lead to catastrophic results - several battleships and ammunition depots were lost due to deteriorating propellant. Modern propellant is less likely to become dangerous, but I remember finding a box of .22LR I'd forgotten for some years in my car trunk (parked outside during hot Ontario summers). I tried about 20 rounds and had maybe one go off.
It takes a while for heat to make a difference, though. Remember Gulf One, with huge stacks of ammo all over the countryside for months in what amounted to an oven. It worked just fine when needed.
Rapid cycling between hot and cold is not a good idea.
Modest amounts of dampness will not hurt small arms ammo. High amounts might, but consider that you can drop ammo into water for a week and 99.99+% of it will fire. Moisture in the air is less likely than that to cause problems. It will however degrade packaging if exposure is prolonged. Air-tight packaging will be quite sufficient to protect the ammo itself from moisture.
(One consideration in a garage is the presence of solvents like gasoline, naphtha, oils and such. If you're worried about water vapour causing problems, imagine what such chemicals can do. Again, air-tight packaging is probably enough if it's a concern.)
Not sure what your situation is, but if you absolutely must store it in a garage which is subject to extreme seasonal heating, there are some possible ways to ameliorate the problem:
The first is to install vents, especially roof vents, to exchange inside air for cooler outside air.
Second, if that doesn't keep it reasonably cool inside, think about installing a small air conditioner. It doesn't have to keep the garage comfortable, just not outrageously hot.
If cooling the whole garage is an issue, consider building an insulated closet big enough for your ammo and air-condition just that with the smallest window rig you can find. This would also have the advantage of being lockable.
Even an old refrigerator would work, if large enough and fitted with shelves strong enough. You'd have to keep it set fairly warm (as fridges go) because of condensation when you take the ammo out on a hot day. A hasp would provide security if desired.
An cool space is also generally dryer if moisture concerns you.
Cold will not - not - damage properly-made small arms ammo.
Heat will because it accelerates the chemical processes leading to the breakdown of propellant. In very early smokeless propellant, especially in large quantities, this could lead to catastrophic results - several battleships and ammunition depots were lost due to deteriorating propellant. Modern propellant is less likely to become dangerous, but I remember finding a box of .22LR I'd forgotten for some years in my car trunk (parked outside during hot Ontario summers). I tried about 20 rounds and had maybe one go off.
It takes a while for heat to make a difference, though. Remember Gulf One, with huge stacks of ammo all over the countryside for months in what amounted to an oven. It worked just fine when needed.
Rapid cycling between hot and cold is not a good idea.
Modest amounts of dampness will not hurt small arms ammo. High amounts might, but consider that you can drop ammo into water for a week and 99.99+% of it will fire. Moisture in the air is less likely than that to cause problems. It will however degrade packaging if exposure is prolonged. Air-tight packaging will be quite sufficient to protect the ammo itself from moisture.
(One consideration in a garage is the presence of solvents like gasoline, naphtha, oils and such. If you're worried about water vapour causing problems, imagine what such chemicals can do. Again, air-tight packaging is probably enough if it's a concern.)
Not sure what your situation is, but if you absolutely must store it in a garage which is subject to extreme seasonal heating, there are some possible ways to ameliorate the problem:
The first is to install vents, especially roof vents, to exchange inside air for cooler outside air.
Second, if that doesn't keep it reasonably cool inside, think about installing a small air conditioner. It doesn't have to keep the garage comfortable, just not outrageously hot.
If cooling the whole garage is an issue, consider building an insulated closet big enough for your ammo and air-condition just that with the smallest window rig you can find. This would also have the advantage of being lockable.
Even an old refrigerator would work, if large enough and fitted with shelves strong enough. You'd have to keep it set fairly warm (as fridges go) because of condensation when you take the ammo out on a hot day. A hasp would provide security if desired.
An cool space is also generally dryer if moisture concerns you.
