.223 Bulk Ammo and High Temperatures: Why They Don’t Mix

You probably know that moisture is bad for ammo. You know the old saying, ‘keep your powder dry,’ and so on and so forth.

This is a good maxim. Wet primer and propellant will not ignite, and not all modern cartridges are waterproof (although some are).

But, even once the moisture evaporates from the primer and propellant, it can still cause corrosion and deterioration of the case and bullet – so it’s best to avoid.

But moisture isn’t the only thing to avoid if you put good money into bulk ammo. If you’ve just restocked the ammo cans with some affordable .223 bulk ammo,

High heat is a problem too.

What Happens at High Temperatures

Temperatures much lower than you might think can severely compromise the functionality and reliability of most modern rimfire and centerfire cartridges.

The primers and propellants used to produce these modern cartridges are inherently reactive; it is this principle that enables the percussive and subsequent deflagration that propels the bullet out of the barrel.

Heat directly contributes to the chemical breakdown of both modern primer and propellant, making it less reliable after exposure.

Most modern cartridges are produced with smokeless powders that are chemically similar to nitrocellulose, which is a relatively stable propellant. All the same, it starts to experience thermal degradation at temperatures as low as 150℉.

Serious degradation does not occur until temperatures climb much higher, but if you expect unwavering consistency and reliability from your ammo (and who doesn’t) you’ll want to shield it from exposure to high temperatures.

The reason this becomes problematic is that these are temperatures that can easily be attained when ammo is stored in a car (even in the trunk) in hot, sunny weather.

Therefore, you should take caution when storing ammo in your car or trunk, or even in your attic, if you live in an area with particularly hot summers – that weather just might be contributing to the degradation of your ammo.

Best Practices for Bulk Ammo Storage

Before closing out, we’ll leave you with some best practices for ammo storage so the next time you buy bulk ammo you don’t make the same mistakes:

• Avoid storing ammunition anywhere temperatures will reach above 150℉ at any time.
• Avoiding temperature swings is also a best practice, as sharp changes in temperature may also contribute to the thermal degradation of ammunition.
• Never store your ammunition anywhere in which it will be exposed to high levels of humidity or moisture.
• Be cautious about storing ammunition in your car, trunk, attic, basement, crawl space, or in sheds outside.
• Leave it in the box it came in; minimize handling as the oils on your skin can also compromise the performance of propellant or hasten corrosion on bullets and casings.

All in all, it’s best to find a cool, dry place to store your ammunition

Need to Replace a Batch? Get .223 Bulk Ammo Online

If your last batch of .223 bulk ammo has experienced some deterioration, get some more and this time store it right.

You can stock up online at Bucking Horse Outpost. They carry not only bulk .223 ammo but offer bulk deals and specials on other popular calibers like 9mm, .45 ACP, .22LR, 5.56 ammo, and countless others.