Thoughts on ammo theft

[sjb269]

Screw the Ammo!

I need to lock up my reloading equipment, primers, and powder.
Actually, I do stuff a reasonable amount of loaded rounds in the safe, however not all of it fits, I think I should be locking up the holy trinity of Primers, Powder, and my reloading equipment.
Even though a meth head lowlife would probably just look at my reloading equipment and scratch his head and be confused. Well, except for the scale.

Does anybody here keep the above mentioned items in a lockable area?

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Yeah, this will be an interesting thread. Lock it up and create a potential bomb, or leave it out and risk losing it? Fire safety vs. home security.... which is more important?

Here we go......

 

[AMF]

I am certainly no expert. However, it is my understanding that you should not keep powder in a safe or other metal containers. I can't imagine a scenario where the powder would ignite. However, if somehow it did, you will have succeeded in creating a bomb. I have always heard it’s best to store powder in a wooden box or other container that would allow the pressure to be quickly released. I am sure there are some experts on here that would know off the top of their heads if that is correct.

 

[sjb269]

There are many ways to lock up and secure the above items without creating a "potential bomb".

 

[Foul Mike]

OK sjb, care to elaborate?
Maybe I can use some of those ideas myself.

 

[M Hicks]

I have a HAZMAT/flam loacker that I store all of my stuff in. They are fire rated and designed to off gas if the contents to catch on fire. The one I have has a lock in the handle, that could be easily defeated, similar to one on a large tool box. I don't have it for the security of locking things up but rather the safe keeping of flamable materials.

 

[Cstanm70]

I store my powder and primers in separate fire boxes.

 

[Brian]

A fire safe would at least buy you some time or keep the
Powder & primers in room with a fire suppression system
They do install them in residential applications.
Your local fire department should be able to point you in the right direction..

 

[Switchblade]

Who cares about ammo thieves, I am still waiting for them to catch the guy who stole all the Pappy Van Winkle's 20 year old bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Still!


Really though, I have the stuff spread throughout the house. I would rather the house burn down slowly than blow up quickly!

 

[sjb269]

Pretty much my system, A couple of padlocked ammo cans in the back of cabinets with a cable to another fixed heavy object. Multiple locations around the house. Store them low to the ground on the first floor of the house. Right now, I just hide the primers.
I am thinking of transferring everything except primers into a Knaack box

 

[eli polite]

hide it in the stove along with your already mixed tannerite problem solved

seriously though I'm not going to go into a lot of detail here but I only keep in my home what I am using at the time rarely more than a few pounds of powder at a time the rest is in a secure location off sight and pretty much fire proof I know not every one has that ability. Shipping containers make a great place to store this kind of stuff

 

[grayghost]

Match ammo and match reloads in safe, rest of ammo in dead bolted closet. [41But this will only slow them up. Most break ins are people looking for something to sell quick, TV's, stereos,jewelry etc. Safes and locks only slow them down, and once they know you have stuff locked up they will probably be back, but I still lock my stuff up and hope they try it when I'm home.

 

[gimpy]

Earlier this year, I built my reloading room in the back of my unfinished portion of my basement. The walls are plywood or concrete foundation, the door is steal, and locks. I also have a motion sensor in the room. My wife thinks I'm crazy for building a 'room inside a room' as she like to call it.

 

[thrusty]

Does anybody here keep the above mentioned items in a lockable area?

Abso-friggin-utly!!!!

 

[Anvil_X]

loaded rounds are class 1.4S, so I don't have any problem with putting them in my safe with the toys. as far as my powder goes, I keep that in a locked gorilla box (would allow pressure release in the event of a fire) and store my primers in a 7.62 ammo can in another corner of the house.

 

[xdpatriot]

Earlier this year, I built my reloading room in the back of my unfinished portion of my basement. The walls are plywood or concrete foundation, the door is steal, and locks. I also have a motion sensor in the room. My wife thinks I'm crazy for building a 'room inside a room' as she like to call it.

I would think this would be the best option? A dedicated room?

 

[spoon063]

I've saved myself a lot of money by putting a "THERE IS NO VARGET HERE" sign in my front yard.

 

[Cartman]

My loaded ammo is stored in three lockable steel cabinets. Primers are in their shipping box on a shelf in the garage. I don't have a lot of powder (waiting on Sinclair since Jan. or Feb. (unreal wait)), but will be building the box suggested here (I think I'll label it "Dog Food" with a stencil):

National Fire Protection Association Recommendations
for Transport and Storage
10-3.7 Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg) may be stored in original containers in residences. Quantities exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg), but not exceeding 50 lb (22.7 kg), may be stored in residences if kept in a wooden box or cabinet having walls or at least 1-inc. (25.4-mm) nominal thickness.

See also:
Storage
NFPA

In February I'm going to have two large safes freed up and I'm going to switch loaded ammo to them.

I don't know what sort of lockable container is safe for primers.

 

[milo 2.0]

Was it Buffalo Springfield that sang, "Paranoia Strikes Deep"?
Is this about fire or theft? I bet most of us store components on the lower floors, so in a fire, it'll already be too late. As for theft, if someone is targeting your reloading goods, you've talked way too much!

 

[jeo556]

I think that locking it up is a good idea, at least in theory. I have a Stack ON cabinet that I was going to retrofit to hole ammunition. But I'm concerned that the cabinet would bring attention to the ammunition that a thief would otherwise not notice.

As far as not putting ammunition into a cabinet or safe, because it would make a bomb of sorts.......BS!

How Ammunition Reacts in a Fire ? SAAMI Video Report « Daily Bulletin

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

pvc pipe, capped both ends, with a cable (pullcord) attached at 1 end.
+
and a fence post digger or auger
+
10ft x 10ft piece of ground with a garden fence, plant tomato plants or daisies in between

keep enough that'll be used in a relatively small timeframe inside, do some "gardening" outside around sunset when inside stock runs low

 

[Sean the Nailer]

As far as not putting ammunition into a cabinet or safe, because it would make a bomb of sorts.......BS!

How Ammunition Reacts in a Fire ? SAAMI Video Report « Daily Bulletin

To be very clear here, the discussion of storing ammunition locked up, is not quite so prevalent as the storage of ammunition COMPONENTS. Items such as multiple cans or jugs of powder is the point here. Fire code says powder containers are to be stored in a (minimum) 1" thick wooden receptacle. For many, with the prevalence of meth-heads and the community acceptance of B&E's as a right-of-passage, they don't want to lose their powder stocks due to their decreased availability and increased cost.

Read up, read back, and read deep. This is what's being talked about. Welcome to the party, Pal.

 

[jeo556]

Well Sean, maybe you should take your own advice my friend. About reading posts....... My original response touched on both the security of ammunition(and I assumed that most would read that to include reloading components) from thieves as well as the fact that there is not really any sort of significant hazard to locking up said items as was initially touched on by you, and confirmed by my link. In other words I was attempting to "get your back" Pal.

So to clarify and again speak about the topic at hand. I am weighing my option of storing my ammunition(and components) in a gun cabinet to protect them from theft while at the same time alerting everyone that whatever is inside is of some value vs. leaving them in plain sight(ie a cardboard box in the basement NOT labeled "valuable reloading components") As I am convinced that the local methhead or teen might otherwise overlook said items not knowing thier value. And since you mentioned that this was going to start some sort of internet war about this vs that, I included a link to inform those that would like to lock thier stuff up there is not really any sort of increased risk, in so far as fires are concerned. However my initial post was taken or (mis)understood, I hope that we can now both agree that we agree. At least as far as this topic is concerned.

 

[CS223]

Keep your cutting torch locked up as well.

Men killed in Hopkinton explosion after torch ignites fireworks in safe | Local News - WCVB Home

 

[Delta4-3]

I keep it under my mattress with all my 9v batteries and steel wool, so if it burns, I won't have to live life homeless and without reloading components.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

SAAMI pamphlet

Alliant on Smokeless Powder storage and handling

 

[rdinak]

Ammo theft-let me tell you about ammo theft. I have been reloading since the 80's and believe in keeping a prudent reserve. Also have two grown sons that love to shoot and hunt and have no concept of factory ammo. Sadly they have no concept of purchasing components either. Primers...dads got some, H4350 oh its on the bottom shelf...WTF should I have to pick up brass you have a ton of it...LOL