Stockpiling ammunition seems like a straightforward process – buy it, store it, and forget about it until you need it. That was my mindset until I made a mistake that cost me hundreds of rounds of perfectly good ammo. I learned the hard way that how you store your ammo is just as important as having it in the first place.
What I thought was a solid prepper move turned into a frustrating lesson in what not to do.
Two Bags, Two Outcomes
I had bought a large stash of 9mm ammo several years ago when I found a great deal. I divided it into plastic bags, sealed them up, and stored most of it in .30-caliber ammo cans inside my home. But a few extra bags didn’t fit, so I improvised – one bag went into a go-bag in my truck, and another got tossed into an old coffee can in my barn.
Fast forward to a recent range trip, and I discovered that my careful stockpiling had gone horribly wrong. One bag was as good as the day I bought it. The other? Completely useless.
The Moment I Realized It Was Ruined
I went out for a casual shooting session, loaded up a magazine with some of my stored ammo, and expected everything to go smoothly. But as soon as I started firing, I immediately knew something was wrong.
The rounds weren’t cycling the gun properly. Some felt underpowered, barely ejecting casings, while others didn’t fire at all. I even had one round that felt like a squib load, which could have led to a dangerous situation. After a few more failures, I pulled the ammo, switched to another batch from the same bulk purchase, and everything worked perfectly.
What Went Wrong?
I traced the problem back to how I stored the bad batch. The failed ammo had been sitting in my barn for years, exposed to temperature swings from -18°F in the winter to over 110°F in the summer. It was near a window, which meant it likely endured fluctuations in humidity and even some sunlight exposure.
Meanwhile, the ammo that worked fine had been appropriately stored indoors, inside a sealed ammo can with a rubber gasket. Same ammo, same purchase date – but drastically different results.
The Effects of Bad Storage on Ammo
Poor storage conditions can degrade ammunition in several ways. Here’s what happened to mine:
- Weak or inconsistent ignition – Some rounds fired but were noticeably underpowered.
- Failure to eject – Spent casings weren’t clearing the chamber, likely due to inconsistent pressure from degraded powder.
- Failure to fire – Some rounds wouldn’t ignite at all, probably because moisture or temperature changes affected the primer.
Had I needed that ammo for self-defense or survival, I could have been in serious trouble.
Why Temperature and Humidity Matter
I used to believe that ammo could last forever, but I now know that temperature swings and moisture are silent killers. When ammunition is stored in extreme conditions, the brass casings expand and contract repeatedly. Over time, this weakens the seal between the primer and case, allowing moisture to seep in and degrade the powder.
Even though my ammo was in a sealed plastic bag, it was not enough to protect it from long-term damage. The heat, cold, and moisture fluctuations had taken their toll.
How to Store Ammo the Right Way
After learning my lesson the hard way, I’ve changed my approach to ammo storage. Here’s what I do now:
- Store it in a climate-controlled environment – Keep it indoors, away from extreme heat and cold.
- Use proper ammo cans – Military-style ammo cans with a rubber gasket help protect against humidity.
- Avoid direct sunlight – UV exposure can degrade primers and weaken casings over time.
- Rotate your stock – Follow the first-in, first-out rule to ensure older ammo gets used before it starts to degrade.
- Test it periodically – Don’t just assume your stored ammo is fine—take some out and fire it every so often.
Why First-In, First-Out is Crucial
One of the biggest mistakes I made was not rotating my stock properly. This batch of 9mm sat unused for years, while I continued to buy and shoot newer ammo. Had I cycled through my stash regularly, I might have noticed the issue before it was too late.
From now on, I’m making sure to practice first-in, first-out – meaning I’ll use the older ammo first and replace it with new stock.
How Long Does Ammo Really Last?
Ammunition can last decades if stored correctly, but bad conditions can ruin it in just a few years. Military surplus ammo from World War II still works today because it was stored in proper conditions. But throw a modern round into a barn with fluctuating temperatures, and it might be useless within a decade.
My ruined batch had been sitting for less than 10 years – a fraction of the shelf life it could have had if I had stored it right.
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
This experience was frustrating, but it taught me a valuable lesson. Ammo is expensive, and when you’re stockpiling it, you’re making an investment. But if you don’t store it properly, you might as well be throwing money away.
If you’ve been stocking up on ammunition, take a minute to check your storage setup. Are your rounds protected from temperature swings, moisture, and sunlight? If not, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise the next time you need them.
Don’t Learn the Hard Way
I was lucky – I discovered the problem at the range, not in an emergency. If I had needed that ammo for self-defense, I would have been in a very bad situation.
Don’t make the same mistake I did. Store your ammo correctly, rotate your stock, and test it periodically. When the time comes, you want to trust that every round will fire exactly as it should.
Gary’s love for adventure and preparedness stems from his background as a former Army medic. Having served in remote locations around the world, he knows the importance of being ready for any situation, whether in the wilderness or urban environments. Gary’s practical medical expertise blends with his passion for outdoor survival, making him an expert in both emergency medical care and rugged, off-the-grid living. He writes to equip readers with the skills needed to stay safe and resilient in any scenario.