Stocking up on ammo

[Popere]

I've heard a lot of people talk about stocking up on ammunition. I know that buying ammunition in bulk is a lot cheaper than buying it by the box. My question is: How long will ammunition stay " useable" if stored? I've heard a year, a couple of years, what are some of your opinions?

I am wanting to stock up on 45 acp and .22lr.

[DM]

I've got ammo i've kept in a cool dry place for more than 20 years and it still shoots just fine... Same with gun powder, stored properly it keeps on working just fine..

Drilling Man

[USMC PMI]

Follow proper storage procedure and the ammo should store a lifetime.
-Keep away from moisture, store ammo in a sealed container
-Do not store ammo directly on the floor/ground
-Keep ammo from excessive heat and cold (not below 25 deg and not above 100 deg)
-Aviod metal to metal contact
-Make sure ammo is clean and dry before storing
-It is usually best to leave the ammo in it's origional packaging if possible

For long term I wouldn't put the ammo in the basement or the attic (moisture and heat) or out in the barn. I also would not spend $$$$ trying to make nitrogen purged storage boxes or vacuum sealing the ammo, it is wasted effort and just not required to store the ammo for say a target of 30 or 40 years. I would also check the ammo out every decade or so, take a look at how it has been holding up. Happy stockpiling.

[speedgator]

I bought ammo and stockpiled around 7 years ago for my .40 and stored it in military ammo cans, out of heat and moisture, still shooting it to this day.

[Popere]

Thanks for all the replies. Now I just need to find a place to buy in bulk.

[speedgator]

www.cheaperthandirt.com has decent specials

[spuddog]

J&G Sales out of Prescott AZ has good deals as well.

http://www.jgsales.com/