Have you done an ammo audit?

[FrugalFannie]

No need to be embarrassed. After I did my audit last night, I set up an Excel spread sheet too.

Like you, I seem to accumulate more ammo these days than I expend.

I can help you correct that problem.

 

[BOBKATT]

"Although the code permits up to 10,000 primers for private use, no more than 5000 may be stored in a residence, which includes the dwelling unit and all accessory buildings (the shed). So only 5000 primers may be stored at your home, still preferably in the secured shed and not the dwelling unit. If you want to exceed the limits set forth in the regulation then you must apply for a license from the Town. This process is involved, to include advertising in the local newspapers, sending certified letters to all you abutters notifying them of your intent and going before the Board of Selectman. Other permits from federal agencies, such as ATF, may also be required"

Thanks for the info, I'm absolutely dumbfounded. I wonder if people often go through this process. Or what the reporcussions are for those who don't. I imagine LTC rovocation is an understatement here in MA where they are itching for a reason to do that anyway.

 

[Lugnut]

Thanks for the info, I'm absolutely dumbfounded. I wonder if people often go through this process. Or what the reporcussions are for those who don't. I imagine LTC rovocation is an understatement here in MA where they are itching for a reason to do that anyway.

I'd be more worried about potential insurance coverage.

 

[Prepper]

So, the limit is 10,000 centerfire plus a separate 10,000 rimfire? Or is 10,000 the absolute total? I always thought it was the latter, but if not then this is good news... I have some more buying I need to go do.

 

[Chris]

Of EACH.

Only 'total' is when you have a permit.

 

[Chris]

Lugnut seems to be correct in the 5,000 primer limit.

If you read down to 527 CMR 13.11 (3) (d) it reads:

"No more than 5,000 small arms primers shall be stored in residences."

However, I don't see anything there that refers to local government allowances to alter the amount.

Gotta love the way Mass laws contradict themselves.

 

[Lugnut]

Lugnut seems to be correct in the 5,000 primer limit.

If you read down to 527 CMR 13.11 (3) (d) it reads:

"No more than 5,000 small arms primers shall be stored in residences."

However, I don't see anything there that refers to local government allowances to alter the amount.

Gotta love the way Mass laws contradict themselves.

Yeah- it's damn confusing sometimes.

 

[calsdad]

Is there anywhere one can lookup what safe storage practices are? I do not reload - (although I might in the future), and I wondering what the recommended practices are for safe storage - especially primers.

I am assuming that the limits on primers are lower than completed ammo because of their volatility. So I am curious as to what the "best practices" might be for storage.

I store all of my ammo in sealed military ammo cans with a few dessicant bags thrown in each one.

I have read that ammo in fires does not necessarily go off the way Hollywood would have you believe but is more likely to "cook off" .

 

[Chipperman]

It's because those with more are keeping their mouths shut

'nuff sed.

 

[Lugnut]

Wooden storage boxes and/or cabinets that are not airtight. Don't store near other flammables. There is more info on this. Most powder/primer companies post storage data on thier web sites and on their labels.

Is there anywhere one can lookup what safe storage practices are? I do not reload - (although I might in the future), and I wondering what the recommended practices are for safe storage - especially primers.

I am assuming that the limits on primers are lower than completed ammo because of their volatility. So I am curious as to what the "best practices" might be for storage.

I store all of my ammo in sealed military ammo cans with a few dessicant bags thrown in each one.

I have read that ammo in fires does not necessarily go off the way Hollywood would have you believe but is more likely to "cook off" .

 

[calsdad]

Here is an interesting story about an experience with a burning gun shop:

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/60

It's long - so I won't post the text.

 

[terraformer]

I am assuming that the limits on primers are lower than completed ammo because of their volatility. So I am curious as to what the "best practices" might be for storage.

Depends on what you mean by volatility. They don't just go off on their own, but they are explosive like traditional gunpowder. Smokeless is not explosive (meaning the expansion properties are slower and more controlled). In other words, gunpowder and primers go boom, smokeless burns.

 

[HooVooLoo]

I simply gauge how much ammo I have by weight. So far my range bag had reached a max of 70 pounds. I know it is really not a lot when compared to pistol PLUS rifle ammo, but pistol is all I shoot.

It is now down to about 45 pounds, and I am sweating. In cartridge count I would estimate I have about 2,500 rounds in various calibers.

I need to get some more ammo!

More more more!!!

 

[HooVooLoo]

Depends on what you mean by volatility. They don't just go off on their own, but they are explosive like traditional gunpowder. Smokeless is not explosive (meaning the expansion properties are slower and more controlled). In other words, gunpowder and primers go boom, smokeless burns.

As an aside, I am quite sure that all three of the examples above are not "explosive" in the traditional sense.

Guncotton, black powder and the main ingredient in primers, mercury fulminate, are considered "low explosives", which means that the chemical reactions produce incredible pressure via gaseous expansion in whatever they are contained in, and go "pop" when the pressures inside exceed the rating of the casing. These are called deflagrations.

A true "high explosive" that detonates is a compound that generates supersonic shock waves just behind the initial wave front of energy when the combustion occurs, and the energy released has nothing to do with contained pressures.

Such as the results from Little Boy and Fat Man from like 63 years ago or so.

 

[terraformer]

Yeah, I was not suggesting by explosive that they were high explosives like an A-Bomb, C4, etc, but I did not feel the need to be specific. Since you did, the issue with primers and black powder are they can, in quantities common enough (aka, in qtys normal shooters would be expected to have), go pop with enough force and with very little containment that the effect is similar to a true detonation. Smokeless burns slow enough that it would burn and the pressure wave would travel slow enough that the pressure needed to cause damage would never build up in common containers. Black powder on the other hand burns fast enough to build up pressure and could cause damage with very limited containment. It is simply a matter of degree. That's why a pill bottle of smokeless lit on fire is a genie and one of blackpowder is a bomb by any standard.

As an aside, I am quite sure that all three of the examples above are not "explosive" in the traditional sense.

Guncotton, black powder and the main ingredient in primers, mercury fulminate, are considered "low explosives", which means that the chemical reactions produce incredible pressure via gaseous expansion in whatever they are contained in, and go "pop" when the pressures inside exceed the rating of the casing. These are called deflagrations.

A true "high explosive" that detonates is a compound that generates supersonic shock waves just behind the initial wave front of energy when the combustion occurs, and the energy released has nothing to do with contained pressures.

Such as the results from Little Boy and Fat Man from like 63 years ago or so.

 

[FalArAk]

Those who have never gone "shooting" with Greg have no idea how hilarious that is.

I thought you would like that.

 

[n1heu]

I only own 2 rifles and 2 handguns so I only need 40 rounds of ammo. That's my story and I'm sticking to it..........
No, you may not look.....

 

[MassHack]

Ammo is like Beer, meant to be enjoyed. The more you have the more you enjoy,

 

[In_God_We_Trust]

What's ammo? Never heard of it.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Used to have a rough idea how much I had. That is until I started attending all these car, truck, pumkin etc' shoots. My supply is dwindling fast. Need to get more reloading supplies I think.

 

[9000S]

8mm

Just got some rounds for the 8mm Mauser, brings it up to 790rnds for that, 150grn Romanian 70's surplus stuff. And UMC pack of 250rnds of 9mm and 150rnds of .40s&w. If I get up early enough I can get my .40 for free.... Huzzah for working for the man!!

For all 8mm peoples out there, AimSurplus has 1 cent shipping on 8mm ammo, normally like a 45 dollar charge for all that I got. 55lbs worth... Speaking of which range time!

 

[TonyD]

Yeah, I was not suggesting by explosive that they were high explosives like an A-Bomb, C4, etc, but I did not feel the need to be specific. Since you did, the issue with primers and black powder are they can, in quantities common enough (aka, in qtys normal shooters would be expected to have), go pop with enough force and with very little containment that the effect is similar to a true detonation. Smokeless burns slow enough that it would burn and the pressure wave would travel slow enough that the pressure needed to cause damage would never build up in common containers. Black powder on the other hand burns fast enough to build up pressure and could cause damage with very limited containment. It is simply a matter of degree. That's why a pill bottle of smokeless lit on fire is a genie and one of blackpowder is a bomb by any standard.

So, what you're saying is, and I'm paraphrasing here, but it would not be wise to through a powder horn full of FFFF into a bon fire? Don't ask me how I know this.