800rds of .223 and No ammo boxes?

Jamie Young · February 6, 2001, 05:17 PM

Before you tell me to go out and buy 8 of those containers that hold 100rds of .223 I first want to let you know I have a few Ammo cans that aren't being used. Is it "Safe" to store 800rds of .223 without being boxed? Just piled in? I don't know if its a bad idea with that many loose rounds in one ammo can.

**Mal H** · February 6, 2001, 05:26 PM

Good question. Unless you have never dropped anything before in your lifetime, I wouldn't want to risk it. I see no need to go buy a lot of boxes, what I would do is make some separators out of thin plywood and stack the rounds in columns so that no round's tip has a chance of hitting another round's primer if the box is dropped. And stuff some wadding (newspaper, etc.) on top to prevent them from rattling around and changing orientation. Just add more wadding as you use them.

johnwill · February 6, 2001, 06:52 PM

Lots of places sell bulk loose ammo, and I've never heard of it being a problem. Every gunshow I go to has a number of vendors selling ammo cans of loose pistol and rifle ammo of almost every caliber. I'd say just put it loose in the can, just don't throw it in.

WalterGAII · February 6, 2001, 07:20 PM

I frequently use cardboard boxes and/or zip-lock bags for loose .223 ammo. Never had a problem yet.

**Mal H** · February 6, 2001, 07:33 PM

I also have lots and lots of handgun ammo in cardboard boxes and zip-locks and feel very comfortable with it. .223 with spire or FMJ points is a different matter. Take a box of 800 rounds and drop it off a bench and let me know how you felt about doing it.

danm · February 6, 2001, 09:46 PM

At risk of stating the obvious...
I just put them on stripper clips that
I buy for a couple/few bucks per hundred.
The primers are then covered.
This assumes an AR15/M16.
Makes loading mags at the range a snap.
DanM

Jamie Young · February 6, 2001, 09:53 PM

HEY THATS A GREAT IDEA !! I THINK THATS WHAT I"M GONNA DO
Thanks Danm

February 6, 2001, 05:17 PM	#1
Jamie Young Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: SE/PA Posts: 4,834	Before you tell me to go out and buy 8 of those containers that hold 100rds of .223 I first want to let you know I have a few Ammo cans that aren't being used. Is it "Safe" to store 800rds of .223 without being boxed? Just piled in? I don't know if its a bad idea with that many loose rounds in one ammo can. __________________ Find out about Gun Shows and Training activities. www.TheRallyPoint.org Get your gun club involved!!

February 6, 2001, 05:26 PM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,950	Good question. Unless you have never dropped anything before in your lifetime, I wouldn't want to risk it. I see no need to go buy a lot of boxes, what I would do is make some separators out of thin plywood and stack the rounds in columns so that no round's tip has a chance of hitting another round's primer if the box is dropped. And stuff some wadding (newspaper, etc.) on top to prevent them from rattling around and changing orientation. Just add more wadding as you use them.

February 6, 2001, 06:52 PM	#3
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	Lots of places sell bulk loose ammo, and I've never heard of it being a problem. Every gunshow I go to has a number of vendors selling ammo cans of loose pistol and rifle ammo of almost every caliber. I'd say just put it loose in the can, just don't throw it in.

February 6, 2001, 07:20 PM	#4
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	I frequently use cardboard boxes and/or zip-lock bags for loose .223 ammo. Never had a problem yet.

February 6, 2001, 07:33 PM	#5
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,950	I also have lots and lots of handgun ammo in cardboard boxes and zip-locks and feel very comfortable with it. .223 with spire or FMJ points is a different matter. Take a box of 800 rounds and drop it off a bench and let me know how you felt about doing it.

February 6, 2001, 09:46 PM	#6
danm Member Join Date: February 22, 1999 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 51	At risk of stating the obvious... I just put them on stripper clips that I buy for a couple/few bucks per hundred. The primers are then covered. This assumes an AR15/M16. Makes loading mags at the range a snap. DanM

February 6, 2001, 09:53 PM	#7
Jamie Young Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2000 Location: SE/PA Posts: 4,834	HEY THATS A GREAT IDEA !! I THINK THATS WHAT I"M GONNA DO Thanks Danm