If you’ve been shooting for more than a season or two, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of ammo shortages, overpriced rounds, and having to spend needless hours trying to find a deal on ammo. Unless you know a guy, the easiest way to get a deal on ammo is to buy in bulk. Whether you use your ammo for hunting, defense, or fun on the range, buying in bulk is a great idea. Although when you get your ammo, you have to make sure you can store it effectively until you are ready to use it; otherwise all that money saved will be spent on more ammo that doesn’t misfire.
Why Buy Ammo in Bulk?
Before I can rant about storing bulk ammo effectively, we need to figure out if it is worth it for you to buy ammo in bulk or not. On the surface, buying ammo in bulk is a no-brainer; although, if you only shoot a few times a year, you might be able to save a few dollars and only get a couple of boxes of ammo. However, if you are like me and tend to stick to the same cartridges year over year, buying in bulk one year could keep you set for a decade, especially if you store it properly. Let’s dive into the most obvious reason to buy ammo in bulk, the cost savings.
Bulk Ammo Cost Savings
Purchasing ammunition one box at a time from a local store is like buying bottled water at a gas station, you are always going to pay a premium for the smallest unit, no matter the product.
Take one of the most popular rounds, 9mm FMJ, as an example. An average 50-round box of JHPs at the store might cost anywhere from $25 to $35, which works out to about 60 cents per round. Now, if you buy a 1,000-round case online for $495, your price drops to 50 cents per round. Now, 10 cents per round doesn’t sound like a ton, but even the average shooter can burn through a hefty number of rounds over the course of an entire year.
A hunter who also likes to hit the range on a regular basis can go through 2,000 rounds in a year. This can add up to hundreds of dollars saved per year depending on your cartridge. For those who find themselves at the range daily, it’s not crazy to go through 10,000 rounds or more annually. With these numbers, it’s easy to see how buying in bulk can save a shooter thousands of dollars a year.
| Caliber | 50-round box price | 1000-round bulk case | Cost per round savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9mm Luger | $30.00 (50 rds) ($0.60/rd) | $495.00($0.50/rd) (Speer Gold Dot 147 Grain JHP) | $100 per 1,000 |
| .223 | $19.00 (20 rds) = $0.95/rd | $395.00 (500 rds) = $0.79/rd (Federal Premium 62 Grain Bonded Soft Point) | $160 per 1,000 |
| .22 LR | $8.58 (50 rds) = $0.17/rd | $288.00 (3,000 rds) = $0.096/rd (CCI Mini Mag 36 Grain CPHP) | $222 per 3,000 |
The Convenience of Bulk Ammo
If you’ve ever tried to grab ammo the night before a hunt, then you know procrastination is bad for a hunter. Everyone and their mother had the same idea to wait until the last minute, so the store’s shelves look like they’ve been looted. No matter what, your favorite cartridge is always mysteriously missing. Buying wholesale eliminates this problem and ensures you’re never left scrambling the night before opening day. All you have to do is plan ahead once every few years instead of every year.
For die-hards of the field and the range, it’s all about efficiency. Driving to your nearest firearms dealer every time you want to go shooting wastes gas and time, not to mention it guarantees that you are going to be paying much more per round. Having ammo ready at home means you can grab a box, hit the range, and be comfortably seated for happy hour at your favorite watering hole.
Bulk Ammo Brings Peace of Mind
We’ve seen multiple ammo panics over the last two decades. Shortages come and go, so it’s always good to be prepared. Sometimes they’re triggered by elections, sometimes by global events, and sometimes by natural disasters or pandemics. In 2020, some calibers became nearly impossible to find for months. When panic sets in, supply vanishes. But those who already had a stockpile at home didn’t have to worry. Having a few thousand rounds in reserve is like having a freezer full of venison after a successful hunting season; it’s security.
Planning For Bulk Ammo Purchases
One downside to buying in bulk is that it requires more of an upfront cost, and depending on the cartridge, it can turn into a rather sizable investment. A 1,000-round case of 5.56 FMJs might cost $450, and if you’re buying multiple cartridges in the same purchase, your wallet is going to feel a lot lighter when you get home. If you don’t want to drop a lot of money all at once on ammo, you can pay with Sezzle, which allows you to space your payment out over 6 weeks.
Most serious shooters try to set aside a little money each month. Think of it as a monthly bill, like your car insurance or rent. Even setting aside as little as $50 or $100 a month can leave you with enough to purchase more than enough ammo for multiple years. Treat it like any other gear investment; plan ahead, save up, and save some serious cash in the long run.
Bulk Ammo Without Proper Storage Space
Many shooters forget to consider storage space when buying ammo wholesale. Cases of ammo are surprisingly heavy and can take up more room than you would think, so safe storage is key.
If you’re buying rounds by the case, you are going to need somewhere secure, climate-controlled, and sturdy enough to hold the weight of hundreds to thousands of rounds. It’s probably safe to say that your wife isn’t going to appreciate a bunch of 1,000-round cases of .30-06 lying around the living room.
A 1,000-round case of 9mm weighs about 25-30 pounds. Larger calibers for rifles like .308 rounds can weigh nearly 50 pounds per case of 500 rounds. Stack several of those cases on a weak shelf, and you are going to spend the rest of the afternoon sweeping up shells and buying a new shelf online. Make sure your storage location can handle the weight, and consider spreading it out instead of piling everything in one place.
Local & State Laws on Specific Cartridges
Finally, and most importantly, check your local laws before buying ammo in bulk, especially online. Regulations can vary by state and even municipality. This includes restrictions on age, types of ammo (e.g. hollow-point), and whether or not you are even allowed to ship live ammunition at all.
On top of this, states like California require online purchases to be shipped to licensed dealers, where the purchaser must show government ID to pick up. Before you spend the bonus on your paycheck on bulk ammo, make sure you’re staying on the right side of the law; penalties for violating ammunition laws are no joke.
If you want to know more about what is or isn’t allowed in your state, we wrote an entire article about it called Bullet Design Laws by State [What You Can and Can’t Have].
Avoiding Scams
Unfortunately, scams are a concern when buying anything online. There is always an abundance of fake ammo websites out there, and plenty more spring up while promising unbelievably low prices. They take your money and credit card info before disappearing into thin air. The safest strategy is to stick with well-known retailers. Always check customer reviews, and avoid sites that demand sketchy payment methods like money orders. Treat bulk ammo purchases like you would any other purchase. If it feels too good to be true or if something feels off, don’t waste your time and money.
Storing Bulk Ammo Effectively
Purchasing legitimate ammo at a discounted price is only half the battle; keeping it safe until you are ready to use it is just as important. Ammo may be durable, but it certainly isn’t invincible, and poor storage can ruin your investment before you get the first shot off.
Moisture, heat, and sunlight are ammunition’s worst enemies. It only takes a small amount of moisture to corrode the brass and devalue your ammo. Primers also deteriorate quickly when moisture has a chance to work its way into a cartridge, leaving you with rounds that are useless or worse, dangerous to fire.
Heat can ruin ammo as well, by literally evaporating off the powder. It is also the fastest way to reduce shelf life. Shelf life can be reduced when exposed to even low amounts of heat and sunlight, and over time that degradation can lead to safety and performance issues.
As a general rule, only store ammo in places where you’d be willing to spend an extended amount of time by yourself. If you know it’s too humid, hot, or sunny for your comfort, it’s not an environment that will be safe for your ammunition either. Try and avoid temporary storage locations too; there is nothing more permanent than a temporary solution.
The Best Type of Storage Containers For Bulk Ammo
The best defense against the elements is a proper container. Anything can act as a suitable ammo container as long as they are durable, air-tight, and waterproof.
Military surplus ammo cans are a favorite among everyone who hunts and shoots, and are considered the gold standard. Since they are made of steel and sealed with rubber gaskets, they meet our criteria of airtight, waterproof, and nearly indestructible. They also stack well, and unlike the ammo inside, they will last longer than a few successful hunting seasons.
Modern polymer cans, like MTM boxes, are another good option if you aren’t a fan of the old-school ammo can look. They are also lighter, immune to rust, and have reinforced seals to keep air and water out so that your ammo doesn’t corrode.
Climate Controlled Ammo Storage
What you use to store your ammo isn’t the only thing that matters. Where you put your containers is just as important. Basements are everyone’s first thought for ammo storage if they have one. They can be excellent if they’re dry, but many basements suffer from high humidity when compared to other rooms of your house. Without something like a silica desiccant, corrosion and rust are sure to creep in if given enough time.
Garages are also risky because of extreme temperature swings from a lack of insulation. The best option is usually an indoor closet, safe, or dedicated ammo cabinet inside your home where the temperature and humidity are stable. You and your ammo prefer similar climates, so don’t store rounds anywhere that you wouldn’t hang out.
If you are able to store your ammo in a safe, you can install an electric dehumidifier inside that can offset the effects of a basement or garage. In general, storing ammo in a safe is your best bet. You should still use an ammo can, but the safe is an extra layer of protection that can add years to your ammo.
Advanced Ammunition Storage Methods
The first method of long-term ammo storage is no method at all. This means simply keeping your ammo in the manufacturer’s packaging. This is okay if you are going to use your ammo relatively soon, but there are many better options for ammo storage if you want to keep your supply reliable and safe for years to come.
Vacuum sealing is an extremely effective method of protecting your ammo. Removing air and moisture from the packaging greatly reduces the risk of corrosion and primer degradation. Some shooters then place these vacuum-sealed bags in metal ammo cans for even more protection. This double-bag method keeps your ammunition clean, dry, and ready to go for as long as you need it to be.
Silica gel packs are one of the simplest and most inexpensive methods of long-term ammo storage. These cheap desiccants actively remove any residual moisture that may have infiltrated your storage containers. A silica gel pack in every ammo can will create a controlled environment that can add years to your ammunition’s shelf life.
For comprehensive protection against all of the elements, Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers are the way to go. Mylar is an excellent material for blocking out air, light, and moisture. Placing an oxygen absorber inside the bag will remove any trace of air left behind. These sealed bags can then be placed inside a container for nearly impenetrable long-term protection.
Common Bulk Ammo Storage Mistakes to Avoid
Buying cartridges you don’t use is one of the worst bulk ammo storage mistakes to make. It’s hard to resist a good deal on ammunition when you see it, but buying ammo you don’t have a gun for (or never shoot) is only wasting space and tying up your money in inventory you may never use. Only buy the cartridges you own guns for, and the ones you use regularly, and you will never be tempted by a “sale” that doesn’t help fill your magazines.
Don’t store ammunition in vehicles, another of those bulk ammo storage mistakes. Even if the ammo isn’t directly in the sun, it will still be subject to extreme temperatures in a vehicle, from below freezing in the winter to 150 degrees and more in the summer. This will age the powder and primers prematurely, and it won’t last nearly as long. Furthermore, leaving a trunk full of ammunition in a car makes it a very tempting target for theft if someone ever stumbles upon it.
Shelf weight capacity is another thing we often forget. Ammo may not seem that heavy when it’s in 20-round boxes, but a thousand rounds of anything will weigh at least 100 pounds, and often a lot more than that. Regular shelving units aren’t meant to carry those kinds of loads and will sag and possibly collapse over time, spilling your ammunition all over the floor and making a big, heavy mess. Reinforce shelving to make it stronger, or store the containers on the floor if possible.
All ammunition will eventually oxidize and tarnish, it’s the nature of metal and primer compounds. Proper storage simply slows the process; inspecting the ammunition at least before use will let you catch problems early. Inspection also gives you the opportunity to rotate the stock and keep the oldest rounds in the easiest-to-grab containers.
If you want to know more about ammo rotation, we wrote an entire article about it here: Why You Should Be Rotating All of Your Ammo
Buying & Storing Bulk Ammo For Decades
Buying your ammunition in bulk is one of the smartest moves a hunter can make. It saves time, money, energy, and ensures that your ammo is usable when hunting season or range day rolls around. After finding a great deal, you have to properly store your rounds in a cool, dry, safe container in an area that ensures that your investment lasts. With the right storage, bulk ammo remains reliable for decades, ready to perform whether you’re on the range or in the field.
