So, as I’m reorganizing things, I am discovering that there are a lot of small items that need to be corralled into one place in a somewhat protective manner. For example, my stash of Aladdin wicks, mantles, and burners. Or my stockpile MALICE clips. Things that are numerous enough to need to have their own dedicated container, but not so large or heavy that they need a steel ammo can dedicated to them.
So, for giggles, I hit Facebook marketplace and figured I’d look for some discount ammo cans. No joy. But…I did find some plastic ammo cans in two different sizes that would suit my needs. In for a penny, in for a pound….how many to buy? Well, stuff is always cheaper in bulk. I’ll take 300.
And thats how I wound up with an IBC tote cage full of plastic ‘ammo cans’.
They had ‘half height’ ones in addition to the .30-cal-size cans. So, I figured I’d split it 50-50 and wound up with 150 of each. Are they as durable as a steel ammo can? Of course not..theyre plastic. But, theyre waterproof and perfect for organizing the things on shelves in my basement…batteries, first aid supplies, waterproof notepads and pens, water filters, etc.
Got into them cheap enough that I’ll give a bunch away to the local LMI for their own storage needs. Even then, I’m probably going to have way more of these than I actually need but it’ll be nice to be able to get some things nice and neatly packed away for that upcoming Rainy Day.
Compartmentalized storage is how I ended up with a wall of filing cabinets. My neighbor gave me three and I never paid more than $5 for a tall cabinet. The world went to digital storage and had no idea what to do with filing cabinets. Not much is heavier than paper so weight is really not an issue, even for copper and lead. I mention it since a .30 can fits nicely broadside in a filing cabinet drawer. Heaviest items in the bottom just makes sense.
The best deal on plastic ammo cans at Amazon (not quite identical to yours) are a pack of 4 (with a tray) from Greenmade for $45. I have never joined faceborg so don’t have access to the marketplace. But then, I don’t have the need for that much miscellaneous storage, either. I covet your basement, though.
Costco carries the same ones for $20. Greenmade, 4 pack with a tray.
Following. Good aquisition sir. If one is not living in total austere conditions, like in a musty dug out bunker or shuttling ammo or gear around in field conditions whilst under enemy or your own government’s bombardment of your position, the plastic cans will work just fine. As you already know from your storage 101 classes here a quartermaster / supply sergeant inventory filing system or spread sheet of items and/or location is most important to keep your stuff in an orderly or organized manner. I recommend one of those “Brother” p-touch label maker machines to print out labels for each can’s contents. Thus not having to crack open containers that is not some see through cheap plastic tubs to see or know what is in it. The labels are sticky enough to adhere to the container but not gooey or tacky to remove or update/replace later. Don’t be a ‘tard amateur and use tape and marker to scribble out a label, it’s just not pro or cool looking. The label tape rolls are brand specific and a bit expensive but worth it. They can be had in different colored lettering, red blue black etc and in white background tape ( my preferred for visibility) or clear with the colored letters. I may label a storage unit in three locations on that unit. Top, one side, and nose or front. This way no matter how you stack or stage you cans or crates etc they will have a label facing in a readable position without dismantling your stacks or shelves of hundreds of cans to find something specific. Oh yeah, all this helps in the future for those moving or bugging out of crappy degraded locations to a better a.o. Better packing and stacking aides in stating frosty.
“Oh yeah, all this helps in the future for those moving or bugging out”… They make 200lb test corrugated boxes 12Lx6Wx8H to place those ammo cans in for opsec. I just spent a day or so inventorying and boxing my cans for a move across country.
Good aspect to the subject matter. I had used a couple of those square larger suits and garment bags (size of a small appliance square footprint) that has the metal bracket hung internally for coat hooks to hang things from, for about 6 or 8 soft rifle cases to stand up long guns inside for a move. Got them from Lowes, home depot may have them as well. Not too heavy to roll off with on a hand truck and all of those cased rifles are opsec secured in a cardboard nondescript box. (I used the Elmer’s white school glue to glue those boxes bottoms so they don’t blow out from weight along with duct or strapping tape as an extra measure). Happy moving about the country frens.
OpSec can not be overemphasized!
I found that boxes for a case of bottled beer were a good container for .30 caliber ammo cans, holding 4 of them fairly snuggly. Reinforce the bottom with a few layers of cardboard or scrap plywood to make them more durable.
And the price couldn’t be beat: free from the liquor store down the street. My last move I had well into 3-digits of beer cases as they were the perfect size for both ammo cans and books.
Also found that boxes for 1.75 liter liquor bottles were the perfect size to make a sleeve over small gun lockers. Cut and tape the boxes so that they can be dropped over the top of a locker and you can wheel the locker down a flight of stairs, up a ramp and into a moving truck with no one observing being any the wiser. Likewise with long arms in hard gun cases.
I had to move frequently when in the Army, and it was always rather stressful. Keeping guns, ammo and gun-related stuff under wraps cut down on the stress significantly. No one is going to follow you to steal a truck or trailer at an overnight stop, or make note of your new residence for a future burglary, if all they see in the moving van is a bunch of cardboard boxes, clothing bags and furniture.
I found .30 cal plastic ammo cans at walmart last year for 5$ each. I think they still sell them if you dont need 300 of them and Bass pro occasionally sells steel chinese knock offs .50 cal for 8$ on sale. All ok for storing ammo and other assorted items.
The cheap Walmart ones don’t have a waterproof o ring, and have a visually weaker latch. The better ones there are north of $20 each.
So now does every Ruger P series and PSA Dagger, get it’s own hard case?
Why are you assuming they already don’t?
Last time you posted you had them five or six in a large case.
I like your plan. I have a similar problem. I think I may be in your neighborhood so if your quantity of 300 left you with a surplus I would be interested in helping you reduce the overinventory. E-mail me and let me know quantities & prices if you’d like some help with that.
Nice!
Unrelated maybe this could work for the .50.
https://aimsurplus.com/products/nightforce-nx8-4-32x-f1-precision-rifle-scope-moar-reticle?c=MON02032025&mc_cid=1d41965289
Question. Do you think you need a security door to cover that glass side door in the second picture? If you have a surplus building supply they often have used steel doors cheap. Might be dings or scratched but a can of Krylon will do in a pinch. Just have to check standard sizes for proper fit. Just have some put back if the balloon goes up. Seems like a security weak point to your goodies. Also any thought about replacing Nuke for a early warning system?
Nope. Know why? ‘Cause that ain’t my door. Those are the pics from the listing on Facebook Marketplace. Fair question though.
Long while back was picking up a shipment from JG Sales, they had pallets of 50 cal steel ammo cans (made in India) for a buck a can so I got a pallet of them. They weren’t very good quality but they were steel and I sold them for $5 each. Used them to mostly store lead, brass and bullets and other stuff that didn’t need to be watertight. A can full of lead is pretty heavy for someone almost 70 years old.
FYI – Harbor freight is having a sale the first week of March and the steel 50 cal cans will be marked down from $17 to $11 ea. These look like the same ones Costco has sold, chicom but the quality was excellent IMO. I put a layer of silicon grease on the gasket, so they seal a bit better.
If you need a bunch, check the government liquidation site. The URL escapes me, but it’s a listing of military and government surplus auctions across the US. There are often pallets of ammo cans being auctioned off fairly cheaply, so you end up paying around $2-$4 per can.
Downside is that you have to either pick up yourself or arrange for a shipping company to pickup and ship. And there are not sources in every state; but there are more than one would expect — even if there’s no large military installation locally there’ll likely be Reserve or National Guard training sites, etc — and large surplus dealers are less likely to bother bidding on smaller lots in backwaters.
It can be worth it if you need a large number of cans, have a truck or trailer, and you can often sell the leftovers locally to recoup your expenses. I split a pallet of .30 caliber cans and a pallet of “fat .50s” with a couple of friends years ago and I’m just now starting to run low on good cans.