One of the most essential qualities of a gun owner should be responsibility. This is exactly why you probably clicked on this title, to see whether or not your ammunition is safe in a potential fire.
Military Ammo boxes are not fireproof. The two primary types of ammo boxes are plastic and metal. Plastic ammo boxes are not fireproof and will melt in a fire. Metal ammo boxes will not melt in a fire but will heat the bullets to the point of a potential explosion. It’s best to store ammo in a dry place.
While ammo boxes are not entirely fireproof, the bullets are probably the last thing you need to worry about in the case of something like a house fire. Next, we are going to discuss all of the ins and outs of ammo and ammo boxes.
Are Ammo Boxes Fireproof?
So, ammo boxes are not fireproof, why?
According to multiple sources on proper ammunition upkeep, “extreme high temperatures (over 150° F) should be avoided”. Source
While ammo should be kept under 150° F, house fires and fires in general can get a lot hotter than this.
“White flames are hotter, measuring 1300°C to about 1500°C. The brighter the white, the higher the temperature.” Source
On the lower end of this is 1300°C, which is 2,372° F. If ammo is supposed to be kept under 150° F, and the potential heat of a fire can be upwards of 2,372° F, serious problems can occur when an ammo box is exposed to a fire.
As stated above the metal ammo boxes can lead to potential explosions of the ammunition. With this being said, I also said that these explosions are not your biggest problem if you are in a house fire.
According to multiple gun owners and gun experts, the real damage from a bullet comes from the pressure of it being shot out of a gun. When it is simply heated up and explodes, the threat is much less than if it were to be shot out of a gun.
“…the heat of a fire can cause a round to fire just as it would if someone had pulled the trigger on a live round.”
Source
Below is a video of different ammunition being put on fire, as you will see some explosions can be potentially dangerous. Although it is dangerous for bullets to be exploding, chances are you will be injured by the fire before the exploding bullets.
Plastic Vs. Metal Ammo Boxes
The two types of commonly used ammo boxes are plastic and metal. In the case of a house fire, it is recommended that you use a metal ammo box. A metal box will keep the bullets safer for longer than the plastic boxes.
While plastic ammo boxes will melt with the increasing heat, these metal ammo boxes will conduct the heat of the fire. While it will take longer for the bullets to be affected, as the ammo eventually gets progressively hotter there is the potential for explosions of the bullets.
We are going to focus on the makings and the anatomy of these metal ammo boxes since they are recommended.
Usually, they are “labelled with caliber quantity, and manufacturing date or lot number.” Source
This way you can tell what ammo you have, when it was made, and when you got it. By doing this, it leads to smarter and more informed ammo storage. This in turn leads to safer practices all around.
There are many components to the metal ammo box, but most importantly “Most of them are made from steel and include a rubber gasket around the lid to protect the contents from moisture and air.” Source
One of the biggest problems with storing ammo is moisture. As ammunition is exposed to moisture, it begins to rust. This rubber gasket at the top allows for the ammo to stay nice and dry throughout its shelf life.
What To Do In Case Of Fire
The number one thing to do in a fire is to get out of the area of the fire. A simple way to avoid any potential injury due to ammunition would be to just leave the fire and not worry about the ammunition you stored.
“…most likely nothing significant would happen. Surely, the gunpowder would explode and there would be those expanding gases, but the bullet is highly unlikely to leave the case.” Source
The number one priority in any fire should be the safety and protection of everyone’s lives. By leaving the ammunition you greatly reduce the chance of potential injury.
Good Alternatives
While it is not extremely dangerous to keep your ammo in an ammo box, it would be better if there weren’t explosions in a hypothetical fire.
The best alternative to an ammo box would be to leave your ammo in a fireproof safe. With all of the protection this provides, it will be hard for the ammunition to reach anybody. This is also probably the safest place to put it in normal life.
Proper Maintenance Of An Ammo Box
We have already covered the worst-case scenario being that your house catches fire and your ammunition explodes. The key no matter what is to keep your ammunition safe and protected so that it can last as long as possible.
This is if there are no fires that are going to appear at your house. Below are some of the top ways you can store your ammo to keep others safe and to increase the shelf life of your ammo.
- Avoid humidity at all costs
- Store under 150° F
- Label ammo
- Store in a secure safe place
- Keep in a dark place
- Use older bullets before new bullets
- Keep dry
- Purchase a dehumidifier for your ammo
- Keep out of the basement
By doing these 9 basic things, you can exponentially increase the shelf life and safety of your ammunition. When in doubt remember to keep them cool, dry, and dark. Source
The most important aspect of gun ownership is responsibility and safety. While ammo boxes are not fireproof, it is still important to keep them somewhere safe and protected.