The Perils of Moisture and Ammunition
Understanding the Risks
The crack of a rifle, the boom of a shotgun – the sounds of freedom, recreation, and self-defense. For those who appreciate these sounds and rely on their firearms, proper ammunition storage is paramount. It’s more than just shoving boxes in a closet; it’s about safeguarding a significant investment and ensuring the reliability of your firearms when you need them most. Unfortunately, ammunition and moisture are enemies. The simple truth is, water ruins ammo. Thankfully, a simple, affordable solution exists: desiccant packs for ammo cans. This guide will delve into the importance of dry storage, the science behind desiccants, and how to use them to protect your valuable ammunition.
The Damage Moisture Inflicts
The perils of moisture are often unseen, silently undermining the integrity of your ammunition. While a rusted casing might seem like a visible problem, the damage often begins long before the surface shows signs of corrosion. Humidity, condensation, and even slight dampness can wreak havoc. Let’s explore how this happens. First, moisture encourages the formation of rust and corrosion on the metal casings of bullets. This corrosion can weaken the brass or steel, making them prone to failure or even bursting upon firing. Imagine a situation where a shell casing fails within your firearm. The results are often dangerous and could lead to injury.
Second, moisture affects the propellant – the gunpowder that fuels the projectile. Gunpowder is designed to burn rapidly, generating the force needed to propel the bullet. However, when gunpowder absorbs moisture, its chemical composition changes, leading to a range of problems. It can become clumpy, reducing its ability to ignite consistently or burning erratically. This can result in reduced power, causing bullets to travel short distances or not at all. It can also cause pressure spikes, potentially damaging your firearm.
Finally, moisture can impact the primer, the small component responsible for igniting the gunpowder. If the primer is exposed to moisture, it can become less sensitive, leading to misfires. Imagine the frustration and potential danger of a misfire when you truly need your weapon to function. The bullet won’t go off, and you’re left in a compromised position. The cumulative effect of these issues is a decline in the reliability and performance of your ammunition. No one wants to experience a malfunction when their safety depends on their firearm.
Moisture’s Common Hiding Places
Moisture is a threat in a wide array of storage environments. Humid climates, with their high levels of atmospheric moisture, are particularly problematic. Areas with frequent rainfall, near bodies of water, or even regions with seasonal humidity spikes pose a constant threat. Changes in temperature can also contribute to moisture problems. When warm, moist air comes into contact with a cold surface, condensation forms – the same principle behind water droplets forming on a cold drink. Ammo cans, especially metal ones, are susceptible to this. If you store your ammunition in a basement or garage, you’re likely facing fluctuating temperatures, increasing the risk of condensation and moisture damage. Flooding is the most extreme example, causing almost immediate and widespread damage. Even if your ammo cans seem watertight, water could still be present.
Understanding Desiccant Packs
The Purpose of Desiccants
Enter the unsung hero of ammunition storage: the desiccant pack. But what exactly are they, and how do they work? Essentially, a desiccant pack is a small packet or container filled with a substance that absorbs and retains moisture from the surrounding environment. These desiccants are designed to pull water vapor from the air, keeping it away from your valuable ammunition.
How Desiccants Work
The most common type of desiccant is silica gel, a porous form of silicon dioxide. Silica gel looks like small, translucent beads and has an enormous surface area, allowing it to absorb a significant amount of moisture. Other types of desiccants exist, including clay-based desiccants and molecular sieves. Clay desiccants are often made from bentonite clay, which absorbs moisture through a different mechanism. Molecular sieve desiccants utilize a crystalline structure with tiny pores to trap water molecules. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of absorption capacity, cost, and reusability. Silica gel remains the popular option, primarily due to its effectiveness, availability, and reusability.
The Science Behind Absorption
How does a desiccant pack work its magic? It operates on the principle of adsorption. The desiccant molecules have a strong affinity for water molecules, meaning they readily attract and hold them. The desiccant’s porous structure provides a vast surface area for moisture absorption. As moisture-laden air comes into contact with the desiccant, the water molecules attach themselves to the desiccant’s surface and are essentially trapped, thus pulling the moisture from the enclosed space of your ammo can.
Choosing the Right Desiccant Packs
Factors to Consider
When choosing a desiccant pack for your ammo cans, several factors are crucial for success. The size of your ammo can dictates how much desiccant you’ll need. A larger can requires a greater volume of desiccant to effectively manage moisture. It’s generally better to err on the side of more desiccant, especially in humid environments. The type of ammunition stored should also influence your choice. Some ammunition is more sensitive to moisture than others. The climate you live in is a major factor. If you live in a humid area, you’ll need desiccant packs with higher absorption capacities. Disposable desiccants are a cost-effective approach, but they require more frequent replacement.
Determining the Right Amount
The recommended amount of desiccant depends on the can size and the environment. As a general rule, a good starting point is to use enough desiccant to create a layer or two across the bottom of the can. Alternatively, many manufacturers provide guidelines on the packaging. These recommendations usually factor in the volume of air within the container.
Recommended Types
Silica gel is the most popular option. Choose packs specifically designed for moisture absorption. These are commonly available in various sizes and configurations – from small packets to larger pouches or even bulk containers that you can pour out. When choosing, ensure they’re enclosed in a durable, breathable material that allows moisture to pass through.
Using Desiccant Packs in Ammo Cans
Step-by-Step Instructions
Once you have your desiccant packs, using them effectively is relatively straightforward. Preparing your ammo can is the first step. Start by ensuring the can is clean and completely dry. Remove any rust, debris, or previous moisture that might have accumulated. Let the can air dry completely. The inside should be spotless and dry before you begin. Next, place the desiccant packs inside the can. The critical consideration is to place them to ensure they’re out of direct contact with the ammunition. Place the desiccant pack on the bottom or side of the can, away from the cartridges. Finally, close the ammo can tightly, ensuring a good seal. This helps prevent moisture from entering.
Tips for Effective Use
Proper placement is key. Do not let the desiccant packets touch the ammunition directly. This could potentially cause issues with the powder or primer. Instead, place the packets away from the ammo. The goal is to capture moisture from the air circulating in the can.
Regular inspection is paramount. Open your ammo cans periodically to check the desiccant packets. Most silica gel desiccant packets will change color when they have absorbed a significant amount of moisture. The color change provides a visual indication of when they need to be replaced or recharged. Replacing desiccants before they are saturated ensures optimal protection. Consider using humidity indicator cards inside your ammo cans. These cards provide a real-time reading of the humidity levels, giving you additional insight into the effectiveness of your desiccant system.
Maintaining and Recharging Desiccant Packs
Recharging Instructions
If you use rechargeable desiccants, such as silica gel, recharging is a simple process. Most silica gel packs can be reactivated by baking them in an oven at a low temperature (usually around 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit) for a few hours. The heat drives off the absorbed moisture, effectively “recharging” the desiccant. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for recharging. Proper storage of desiccants is also crucial. Store unused desiccant packs in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing moisture before they are needed.
Identifying Saturation
Consider how to determine when your desiccant packs are saturated. Many silica gel packs change color when they have absorbed their maximum capacity of moisture. These desiccant packs often transition from blue or orange to a translucent or pink color when saturated. Clay-based desiccants do not change color but can feel soft and spongy when saturated. This indicates they need to be replaced. For rechargeable silica gel packets, the recharging process is simple. If you find your ammo can with saturated packets, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Safety Precautions
When working with desiccants, follow all safety precautions. Some desiccants can be irritating if inhaled or come into contact with the skin or eyes. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and eye protection, when handling desiccants, especially during recharging. Never eat or drink desiccant material. Always keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Alternative Storage Solutions
Other Options
While desiccant packs are highly effective, other ammo storage solutions exist. Climate-controlled storage, which maintains a stable temperature and humidity level, is ideal but may not be practical or accessible to everyone. Vacuum sealing individual ammunition boxes can also create a moisture-free environment. Tightly sealed plastic containers offer better protection than cardboard boxes alone. Still, none of these solutions negate the need for, or the benefits provided by the use of desiccant packs for ammo cans. Desiccant packs are a cost-effective way to provide an added layer of protection to your ammo. Using them with other solutions will provide the best possible protection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the health and safety of your ammunition depend on the dryness of your storage. Moisture is a silent killer, leading to malfunctions and damage. Desiccant packs for ammo cans offer a simple, affordable, and highly effective solution to protect your investment, ensuring your ammunition is ready to perform when you need it. The small cost is well worth the peace of mind that comes with knowing your ammunition is well-preserved. Protect your investment and keep your rounds ready to go. Implement desiccant packs in your ammo storage today and reap the benefits of dry, reliable ammunition. You’ll be glad you did.
