So I was checking Craigslist and found 40 mm ammo cans for sale in Malden, MA. They are reported as excellent and of course they are waterproof. What are the collective thoughts on their use? Would they be good for Primers, loaded ammo, etc? They have the removable top and would appear to be "Not to Heavy" once loaded up with stuff? Should I pounce on these and what are your general thoughts on the utility of Ammo Cans? I hope this is the right forum to post this.
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Thoughts on military ammo cans?
- Thread starter DISTINGUISHED PISTOL SHOT
- Start date
![[laugh]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/012.gif "Laugh [laugh]")
They are "ammo" cans, so yes, they're good for ammo.
You don't want to carry a full one though, they get heavy.
I have a couple, and I use them for "long term storage" using smaller ammo cans for transport and daily use.
You don't want to carry a full one though, they get heavy.
I have a couple, and I use them for "long term storage" using smaller ammo cans for transport and daily use.
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![[rockon]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/020.gif "Rockon [rockon]")
I have a bunch in different sizes that I picked up over the years. I love them, they are durable, waterproof and easy to stack and store. I use the big ones to store my main ammo supplies and rotate out of those for what I am taking to the range and what not. I also use the smallers ones for some not as common rounds. I modified one so I can lock it with a padlock as well in case I need to transport a lot of ammo somewhere. Long term storage would be great in them, fill em up, throw in some o2 absorbers and some moisture absorbing packets and you're good to go for like....ever.
F
Finalygotabeltfed
First, Do not put primers in an ammo can, it becomes a bomb. No not by legal standards but by common sense standards.[/B]
As for ammo, anything larger than a .50cal can with loose ammo in it becomes difficult to move and carry, boxed ammo is ok because you can only fit about 1/3 the amount.
A 50cal can loaded with loose loaded.45acp ammo weighs around 70lbs and 9mm isn't much lighter.
A 50cal can full of just 230gr fmj bullets will ruin your back if you move it incorrectly.......I know, I've done it.
They are great for storing about anything that you want to keep out of the elements and as posted above, you cannot have and will likely never have enough of them. I loaded a van completely full of them from a place in Ohio once and thought that ought to last me for life. That was not the case and I needed more within a very short period of time.
If they're priced right, buy them, just beware of their weight once you fill them up.
They make great first aid kits, great for storing knives, camping cooking utensils, binoculars, VHF/UHF ham radios or a CB, tool box, reloading tools, as a portable or temporary gun locker if its secured down to something and can't be carted off easily, torch tips, welding wire spools(the small ones) fitting and hardware assortments, ect. ect.
As for ammo, anything larger than a .50cal can with loose ammo in it becomes difficult to move and carry, boxed ammo is ok because you can only fit about 1/3 the amount.
A 50cal can loaded with loose loaded.45acp ammo weighs around 70lbs and 9mm isn't much lighter.
A 50cal can full of just 230gr fmj bullets will ruin your back if you move it incorrectly.......I know, I've done it.
They are great for storing about anything that you want to keep out of the elements and as posted above, you cannot have and will likely never have enough of them. I loaded a van completely full of them from a place in Ohio once and thought that ought to last me for life. That was not the case and I needed more within a very short period of time.
If they're priced right, buy them, just beware of their weight once you fill them up.
They make great first aid kits, great for storing knives, camping cooking utensils, binoculars, VHF/UHF ham radios or a CB, tool box, reloading tools, as a portable or temporary gun locker if its secured down to something and can't be carted off easily, torch tips, welding wire spools(the small ones) fitting and hardware assortments, ect. ect.
He's got them for $15.00 each OTD. Is this a decent deal? Kittery had them for similar, but they have TAX on Top of that and I have to drive to Kittery.
F
Finalygotabeltfed
Yes, thats a good price for 40mm cans if they are in good shape.
The BASSPro Cans are 50 cal cans and are not 40MM. They are therefore considerably smaller. So maybe an OK deal but not as good.
sacksjacked
NES Member
^^^
This.
They definitely get heavy when filled up. I have a few that I use for long term storage as well. They are rock solid, I love them.
SJan
NES Member
Using the dimensions above, here's the volume of these cans (less probably as lid overlaps, etc., but you get the idea).
40 mm - 1050 cu in
50 cal - 423.5 cu in
Hiltonizer
Banned
I love them, find a better container for moving ammo around. Weight issue is true though, I use 30cals for 45fmj.
They also work as Faraday cages if you're worried about that sort of thing. Wife even used them for some Vera Wang glassware when we moved, as they wouldn't get crushed.
every once in a while Sportsmans Guide will have them for like 6$ shipped with coupons if your member, stock up then.
They also work as Faraday cages if you're worried about that sort of thing. Wife even used them for some Vera Wang glassware when we moved, as they wouldn't get crushed.
every once in a while Sportsmans Guide will have them for like 6$ shipped with coupons if your member, stock up then.
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Not long ago KTP had the 40mm cans for $14.95 needless to say a bought some
SJan
NES Member
Yup, I bought 2 of them and put them to good use, but I should have bought a few more to actually use for ammo storage
Perfect size for storing ammo. I also made a locking system for making it legal to transport them to the range. I paid $20 at Army and Navy store.
SteelShooter
NES Member
Perfect size for storing ammo. I also made a locking system for making it legal to transport them to the range. I paid $20 at Army and Navy store.
Looks like that lock would slide right through the slot, no?
Nope, looks are deceiving.
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When I was downrange, I took a 32ct 40mm can (they also come in 48ct cans), and linked two 100 round belts (two .50 cans) of .50 BMG to double my Ma Deuce turret capacity without a potential reload.
Almost 10 years ago when I was in the best shape of my life, and I still have nightmares about how heavy that can was when I had to hoist it onto the roof. When mounted, it was so heavy it made M1025 turret bearings bind up so much I often had to have my driver stop short to swing the turret to 12 o'clock.
