How hot can ammo be safely stored?

[Raspy]

I've just moved my ammo into a closed box trailer that is black in color. I'm afraid it is going to get pretty hot in there in the summer. It has roof vents, but they won't always be open.

How hot can ammo, 357, 9mm, 5.56, etc, be and still be safe?

 

[RNeumann]

Ammo cans have been stored in the Middle East sandbox for years without issue- In vehicles, tanks, sealland containers etc. The hand reloaders claim powder can degrade but the performance difference is so minute I haven’t seen anything definitive.

 

[MossRoad]

BANG POINT -5F? :confused3:

Good question. Any youtube videos out there on it?

 

[wagne223]

I don't think it can get hot enough in a trailer or attic even to cause the powder to light.
I would be more concerned about humidity.
Of course I am in FL and we are always battling humidity.

 

[davrow]

Ammo is pretty tolerant of heat. As a handloader I agree powder degradation could be an issue... if you are a serious marksman. Your standard deviation (velocity spread between shots) may go up. Most people will never notice.
There could be pressure spikes, but modern firearms won't notice that, either. Except maybe +P ammo...

 

[Raspy]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll go ahead and store it as described and be as careful as I can with the heat. I'm just a plinker, but I have a number of different calibers and a good supply.

 

[eddie48]

In a similar vein, how LONG can it be stored? And are there best conditions for storage?

 

[LD48750]

In a similar vein, how LONG can it be stored? And are there best conditions for storage?

Stuff from WW II is still being fired today if that gives you an idea.

 

[oosik]

I wonder - when a manufacturer says --"store cool, store dry, store in low humidity" AND gives no specifics. What in the world are they talking about??

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

When I was over in the Sandbox (1st Gulf War), we stored all our ammo in trucks/trailers. 9mm, 5.56, 7.62 and 50 cal. I'm sure some of those container temps went over 200 deg F.

Never seemed to give us any problems.