7.62mm AMMO---what's your stash?

[Ay-K]

Just for fun. I figured this category needed some revitalizing.
I'd like to get an idea of what others are stashing as far as quantities and types of ammo.
C'mon, let's show each other how much of a packrat we are with ammo for our beloved thundersticks!
As for myself, I have a comfy quantity of about:
3,600 rds. 7.62X39 including HP Russian Wolf,FMJ Russian TCW,AP Chinese,Yugo Blanks but sadly no Tracer(where the heck are they?).
3,100 5.56X45 including IMI M855 Green Tip, L.C. M856 Tracer, R.G.(UK) L2A2 SS109, Canadian C77 SS109, Win white box, Hirtenberger.

I'm sure some of you fellas can do better.

It is illegal to import tracer ammo. Get a copy of Shotgun News and check Califin's ad.
7.62x39mm Red tracer $89 per 100 BUT soviet tracer is green. The US military uses red.
The quantity and type of ammo stored in my "salt mine" is classified.

[Devil Dog]

I must agree that my "stash" information is
also classified, but certainly more than I would ever need for recreational purposes.
I do have tracer of the Com-Bloc variety, even though it is of dubious practical value. Remember that tracers work both ways! I would say that a few thousand rounds of ball ammo in each caliber for your primary battle rifles, and a few hundred rounds for each of your handguns
is certainly reasonable. Just make sure it is all stored properly.

D.D.

[Burninammo]

Devil Dog My storage ranges from an unopened zinc tin of 8mm mauser from the 50's to cardboard boxes of fresh 7.62x39. What is neccesary for long term storage and what is the shelf life if properly done ? What would go bad , primer or powder ?

[Devil Dog]

Long term storage depends mostly on protection from moisture and storage at a constant, moderate temperature. The best and most economical method of storage is in GI type steel ammo cans. They have a rubber gasket that makes them air tight and waterproof. Some people recommend using a dessicant to absorb any moisture present in the ammo can, and this is probably a good way to go. The most important thing to keeping the primer and powder from deteriorating is storage at a constant temperature. Wide fluctuations in temperature can cause the chemicals in the primer and powder to break down over time. I keep all my ammo in the cellar where the temperature is the most constant
in the house, and the most comfortable. I have heard that temperature variations greater than 20 degrees can cause problems. I have fired ammo as old as the
1930's with good results, and have fired ammo from the 1950's that had a lot of bad primers. Unfortunately, you can not control
the quality of the ammo as it was manufactured or how it was stored before you got it. The best scenario is to get newly manufactured ammo and store it in an air tight container at a constant temperature.

D.D.

[Jesse]

I have a question. Do think it wise to store ammo in a old Frezzer.Let me know Thanks

[56s]

I have enough of everything from 22LR to 45.70.
Take care, OUT in Vegas!

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56s-2

[7th Fleet]

Back in the late 1980's when AK's first started becomming popular. I found 1440 round cases of steel core 7.62x39 for a mere $69.00 plus tax per case, I bought 8 of those. These rounds are packed loose in the sardine cans and are wrapped in paper and sealed in the can, these rounds are not in stripper clips. I also bought 8 cases of 1100 rounds per case, on the stripper clips also in the sardine cans, $90.00 per case. I haven't bought anymore in 10 years, didn't figure I need anymore. Its been stored in a cool dry basement,still in the wooden crates.

[ramius]

Well, I'm happy you brought this up, because I am WOEFULLY short of 7.62X39 right now. I've got plenty of .308 for my M1A, but I'm under 1,000 rds. of AK ammo.

Guess it's time to go shopping. Just FYI, here's my ammo contacts: http://www.ammoman.com/ http://www.jgsales.com/ (local boys) http://www.cole-distributing.com/

[vucetic]

Ay-K, Are you not one of the fellas? I feel comfy w/1,000rds Wolf for emergency use only. But I have a few S. African battle paks as well.

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[Ay-K]

Wolf is good to have. I now have 1,500 rds. HP Wolf put away.

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"...he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one."

[vucetic]

Hey Ay-K, I don't need to store this stuff in anything other than an o-ring sealed can do I? I'm new to this, and have seen many storage ideas here--that seem a little overboard. I hope I don't need to shoot this stuff when I am 50+yrs old!!! Thanks mv

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[Ay-K]

Store in a cool, dry place is the most important thing to do for your ammo. After that, it doesn't really matter.....it will last for decades!

I have mine in .50 cal army cans in the closet and I know they'll be fine. Watch out for basements---they can be moist and damp.

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"...he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one."

[pasamson]

Too much is not enough. He who has the most ammo wins.

[dadduck]

When you get below 10,000 rounds---stock-up. He who lives-wins! Freedom or Death Dadduck

[Butt Plate]

My favorite shooting stuff is the South African with brass cases and Berdan primers, so that is what I have most of. But I do have a stock of fresh mid-90's Russian TCW for back-up -- because it is fresh and should last me a long long time. No need to cut open the sealed plastic airtight bag.

However, I like S&B ammo as much as the South African. And at the last Cal Expo gun show, some guy had a bunch of S&B he inherited from a dead relative and just wanted to get rid of. I took it off his hands for $3.00/20-round box. Not a steal, but a good $.75-$1.00 a box below normal retail, when you can find it.

But the SA stuff is my favorite shooting ammo.

Hell, it's all good. Factory fresh is best. And the only stuff I've shot that was corrosive in the least was the East German mil-surplus.

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There are times when only a VEPR will do. This is one of those times.

VEPR. There is no substitute.

[Butt Plate]

If you are talking about that long, long table with every ammo in every caliber imaginable with that BIG girl helping out, he's there every show. Same spot.

I was tempted, but I'm not hurting for 7.62x39 right now and just stocked up on the .308. I only bought the S&B because I reall like it, so I was willing to shell out the $3.00 a box for it. But there is nothing wrong with the Wolf.

Next show in December I'll REALLY have to stock up. Not for Y2K but because that will be the last gun shot at Cal Expo and I won't know where to find my ammo suppliers anymore. I went to a small gunshow in Pleasanton not too long ago but everything, even the ammo, was over-priced.

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There are times when only a VEPR will do. This is one of those times.

VEPR. There is no substitute.