Need a new source for ammo cans <HELP>

iraiam · March 14, 2013, 07:54 PM

In my goal to to turn all of my on-hand components into ammunition, I have run myself out of ammo storage boxes in a big way.

By my calculations, I need 10+ more ammo boxes to properly store all of my ammunition. I have been seeing them for $25 in the big stores and $20 in the surplus stores, this is considerably higher than they have typically been for the same quality cans.

Anyone have any secret sources, suggestions? The dozen cans I have already filled were bought at $12-$15.

oryx · March 14, 2013, 08:14 PM

What type of rounds and how many are you talking about? What size ammo can are you referring to that is 20?

zcrenna · March 14, 2013, 08:17 PM

eBay.

iraiam · March 14, 2013, 08:26 PM

I generally use the 100 round .50 caliber (840 round 5.56) cans. I bought one from the surplus store last week for $20 that was in good shape, good seals, paint, and no rust. All of the others were of lesser quality but had the same price tag on them. there was a pallet of them in a big name sporting goods store for $24.99 ea.

A whole bunch of; 9mm, 45 auto, 357 mag, 44 mag, 5.56 NATO, 30-06.

I know I need 10 cans because I have basically doubled the amount of ammunition from what I had stored in every caliber.

Quote:

eBay.

Hmm, good idea. I found auctions for 12 cans with free shipping. Thanks

oryx · March 14, 2013, 08:44 PM

$25 for those cans is definitely high. Where I live, our local farm store has them for $19 and they are in brand new shape. 308 cans are $12

Sport45 · March 14, 2013, 08:48 PM

You can get them for free at CMP.

Of course, then you'd have to do something with the ammo that comes in them.

I'm not sure what you mean by "properly" storing your ammunition. Anything from emptied peanut butter jars to 5-gallon buckets do a fine job of containing ammunition.

The stuff doesn't have a very good angle of repose. Otherwise, I might just pile it up in a corner...

maggys drawers · March 14, 2013, 09:26 PM

There is a guy in Colorado Springs that buys ammo cans from Fort Carson. He advertises them on Craig's List in the sporting section. A quick search should turn him up.

centurion20000 · March 14, 2013, 09:40 PM

I've been using HomeDepot Husky 16 inch toolboxes lately.

$6.97 on sale at HD and they store 300 rounds of 30-06 perfectly.

Is it sealed? Not for $6.97 but if you are planning to shoot it within a year or have it stored in a gun safe I cant really find a reason for heavy sealed cans.

coachteet · March 15, 2013, 12:55 AM

aimsurplus.com 13.50 but shipping might be a killer.

medalguy · March 16, 2013, 10:20 PM

Shipping on ammo cans is a killer. Check your local gun shows and Craig's List. I see .50 cans pretty regularly at gun shows for $15 - 20 and .30 cans for $10 - 15.

chiefr · March 17, 2013, 09:34 AM

I have seen hundreds of ammo cans at gunshows and flea markets.

johnwilliamson062 · March 17, 2013, 05:07 PM

If you have a military base nearby you can probably buy some surplus from govliquidators. More than ten though.

Availability at gun shows likely relates to proximity of a surplus source.

http://www.govliquidation.com/auctio...&convertTo=USD
They usually break this up into lots of about 150 around me.

Don P · March 18, 2013, 06:48 PM

I kick myself every time I think of ammo cans. had a place here in FLA back in 06 and was paying $4.50 a can in like new condition. Only bought 15 of them. Should have bought a pallet of them. The place had 1,000s of them

March 14, 2013, 07:54 PM	#1
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 1,057	Need a new source for ammo cans <HELP> In my goal to to turn all of my on-hand components into ammunition, I have run myself out of ammo storage boxes in a big way. By my calculations, I need 10+ more ammo boxes to properly store all of my ammunition. I have been seeing them for $25 in the big stores and $20 in the surplus stores, this is considerably higher than they have typically been for the same quality cans. Anyone have any secret sources, suggestions? The dozen cans I have already filled were bought at $12-$15. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason

March 14, 2013, 08:48 PM	#6
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	You can get them for free at CMP. Of course, then you'd have to do something with the ammo that comes in them. I'm not sure what you mean by "properly" storing your ammunition. Anything from emptied peanut butter jars to 5-gallon buckets do a fine job of containing ammunition. The stuff doesn't have a very good angle of repose. Otherwise, I might just pile it up in a corner... __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

March 17, 2013, 05:07 PM	#12
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	If you have a military base nearby you can probably buy some surplus from govliquidators. More than ten though. Availability at gun shows likely relates to proximity of a surplus source. http://www.govliquidation.com/auctio...&convertTo=USD They usually break this up into lots of about 150 around me. Last edited by johnwilliamson062; March 17, 2013 at 05:29 PM.

March 18, 2013, 06:48 PM	#13
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	I kick myself every time I think of ammo cans. had a place here in FLA back in 06 and was paying $4.50 a can in like new condition. Only bought 15 of them. Should have bought a pallet of them. The place had 1,000s of them __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

March 14, 2013, 08:14 PM	#2
oryx Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Posts: 142	What type of rounds and how many are you talking about? What size ammo can are you referring to that is 20?

March 14, 2013, 08:17 PM	#3
zcrenna Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 60	eBay.

March 14, 2013, 08:44 PM	#5
oryx Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Posts: 142	$25 for those cans is definitely high. Where I live, our local farm store has them for $19 and they are in brand new shape. 308 cans are $12

March 14, 2013, 09:26 PM	#7
maggys drawers Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2006 Posts: 178	There is a guy in Colorado Springs that buys ammo cans from Fort Carson. He advertises them on Craig's List in the sporting section. A quick search should turn him up.

March 14, 2013, 09:40 PM	#8
centurion20000 Member Join Date: December 11, 2012 Location: North Texas Posts: 21	I've been using HomeDepot Husky 16 inch toolboxes lately. $6.97 on sale at HD and they store 300 rounds of 30-06 perfectly. Is it sealed? Not for $6.97 but if you are planning to shoot it within a year or have it stored in a gun safe I cant really find a reason for heavy sealed cans.

March 15, 2013, 12:55 AM	#9
coachteet Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2008 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 122	aimsurplus.com 13.50 but shipping might be a killer.

March 16, 2013, 10:20 PM	#10
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	Shipping on ammo cans is a killer. Check your local gun shows and Craig's List. I see .50 cans pretty regularly at gun shows for $15 - 20 and .30 cans for $10 - 15.

March 17, 2013, 09:34 AM	#11
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	I have seen hundreds of ammo cans at gunshows and flea markets.