5 Best Ammo Cans & Buyer’s Guide: Photos + Review [2024]

Storing your guns is one thing, but storing your ammo supply is also very important, especially in times like these when you don’t know if your favorite caliber runs out of stock.

Keeping your bullets in metal or polymer ammo boxes makes sure they stay “fresh.” Most ammo boxes that are available on the market are moisture-proof, and some are even on sale as US Army surplus, meaning top-tier quality for a fair price.

But, how do you know which ammo box is suitable for you?

Today, we’ll talk about the best ammo cans you can get today. I’ve listed the five most popular and most viable options for various calibers and purposes.

We’ll talk about their characteristics, durability, function, and overall use. I’ll also give you tips on what to look for when purchasing an ammo can that would fit the profile of your guns and calibers.

Image	Product	Price
	Our Top Pick – MTM 4-Can Ammo Crates	Check Price
	Solid Tactical 50 Cal. Metal Ammo Can	Check Price
	Redneck Convent Metal Ammo Can	Check Price
	Pelican V250 Vault Ammo Case	Check Price
	Plano 1312 Ammunition Field Box	Check Price

Our Top Pick – MTM 4-Can Ammo Crates

Hailing from Dayton, Ohio, the MTM 4-Can Ammo Crates is a very popular choice, not because you get four boxes for a nice price, but because they all stack perfectly and won’t budge, unlike some wonky ammo stacks.

Your bullets are contained in a sturdy polypropylene construction with beveled edges, medium dimensions of 9″x12″x24″, four tie-down slots, and O-rings for protection against moisture. 

On the downside, though the latches are advertised as heavy-duty plastic, I find the quality a bit flimsy.

Still, the MTM 4-Can Ammo Crates are perfectly compartmentalized for when you want to head out with just one can to the ranges, and it won’t take up too much space.

With your purchase, you get a five-piece ammo storage setup with four removable .30-caliber cans in one ammo crate that allows you to store various calibers and loads.

What makes this MTM model special is that these ammo boxes are great for vehicle transportation since, as we mentioned, they barely budge.

As I’ve seen from customers, it can fit ~720 rounds of .45 Auto bullets, ~120 2.75-inch 12-gauge shells, and ~1150 9mm bullets. We’re talking per container, mind you, and this is why the MTMs are a very suitable ammo can choice for the most serious of ammo hoarders.

Additionally, the TMC15 Tactical Mag Crate from MTM allows you to magazines in their ammo boxes. It can also hold .308 Winchester magazines.

Runner-Up – Solid Tactical 50 Cal. Metal Ammo Can

This is as close as we can get to military-grade quality. The Solid Tactical 50 Cal. is a big, tough, solid steel can that, although heavy, provides an airtight, waterproof, and highly secure storage for your bullets.

Steel is generally more durable than polymer, and Solid Tactical designed these to be as stackable and stable as possible.

What makes it special is that it comes packaged with desiccant packs. Solid Tactical figured the rubber seal that makes the can air- and water-proof isn’t enough, so they added desiccant packs that absorb moisture away from your bullets. How thoughtful.

The Solid Tactical 50 Cal. Metal Ammo Can is one of those rare ammo cans that are fully tested by being submerged in water without a single droplet on your ammo.

Tried-and-true with its airtight design, I recommend this ammo can for the ones who like to keep their ammo in their musty basements. Your bullets’ quality will not be tarnished for a long time.

This model has sturdy metal latches and a very smooth handle for secure, convenient transport. There’s also a smaller 30-caliber model with 13.9″x8″x4.4″ dimensions if you’re interested. Moreover, you have a money-back guarantee from Solid Tactical if you ever run into problems.

Best Budget Ammo Can – Redneck Convent Metal Ammo Can

Here’s the Redneck—a stackable, no-nonsense steel ammo box. At a very low price, it’s made to be bought in bulk for your ammo storage. Measuring 11″x6″x4″, it offers lots of room for your bullets, magazines, and other equipment.

The Redneck is made of heavy gauge steel, and it has an airtight and waterproof seal with a rubber gasket that protects against moisture. The rubber seal goes along the lid and also protects against dust and debris. It’s difficult to find a steel ammo can with these features at such a price.

The locking latch and hinged lid offer decent security, and you can access your bullets from the top. When closing the lid, the quality metal latches clamp down tightly. There’s also a flat-folding handle if you want to stack the boxes high.

Some customers report that the stacked cans are slightly crooked because the center space at the bottom isn’t well-balanced, and the cans don’t fit into place. But, this isn’t a big deal.

While it’s a steel can, its 5.8-pound weight makes it a lighter option than the rest.

This ammo can comes with multiple color options and sizes from .30 to .50 caliber cans.

Premium (Fanciest Option) – Pelican V250 Vault Ammo Case

Pelican is a manufacturer well-known for their gun cases. Their ammo boxes aren’t bad either.

A definite premium option with a hefty price tag, the Vault V250 by Pelican offers top-notch security for those of you who drive a lot to the ranges and carry loads and loads of ammo.

The V250 is sturdy, secure, and oddly enough, all those bullets are contained in a Polyethylene casing with 12.7″x6.3″x10″ interior dimensions.

Instead of steel, Pelican went with a highly durable, high-impact plastic casing that does its job well. It’s definitely a better choice for minimizing extra weight.

The foam inside is polyurethane, which provides your bullets with a soft and organized storing space that’s weather-resistant and moisture-free. There’s a one-push button latch for your convenience and easier access.

What’s more, the handle is very ergonomic and won’t hurt your hands when carrying a maximum ammo load. This is a very important characteristic, as most shooters are really annoyed by cut palms from badly designed handles.

Although it’s a bit wider than your regular ammo cans, the Pelican V250 is a high-tier ammo box with a hydrophobic, non-woven venting material that regulates temperature well. For a solid price, you get plenty of storage space and maximum security for your bullets.

Best Compact Ammo Box – Plano 1312 Ammunition Field Box

Here’s the Plano 1312—a simple yet durable ammo box for the everyday shooter.

Made of high-quality plastic, the Plano 1312 offers secure, lightweight storage. The carrying handle is sturdy, well-designed, and guaranteed to carry its maximum weight for a long time.

The Plano has all the essential features of a well-rounded ammo can. It has a water-resistant O-ring seal, strong brass bail latches, and a lock hole for a piece of mind.

With interior dimensions of 9.5″x4.25″ x6″, it’s an ideal storing place that can fit six rifle ammo boxes or eight handgun ammo boxes. It’s roughly the same as the MTM AC4C ammo box.

Most folks just need to store up to 1,000 rounds of .223/5.56 NATO or 9mm bullets, and that’s what you get with the Plano. It’s stackable, so if you have lots of ammo to store, you can buy multiple Planos and stack them in a tight compartment that won’t take up too much space.

Although it’s not as big as the other ammo boxes, it’s just enough for most, and the price makes it worthwhile. I recommend this one to those with limited space in their garages. It can even fit in small gun safes.

Before you consider purchasing the ammo can of your choice, here are some of the most important issues you need to consider.

Storing Your Ammo Can

So, you bought your ammo can and stored all your bullets in it. Now, where to place the ammo can?

If you’re planning to safely and securely organize and store your ammo, you must first think about your storage location.

Basements and garages are the most common ammo storage spaces in households. But, depending on where you live, it’s important to consider the moisture levels.

Moisture is dangerous for your bullets—don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.

A good rule of thumb is to keep your ammo in a dry, cold, and dark place. If you have a dark and cool basement, but it’s a damp one, prolonged storage might tarnish the quality of your bullets.

This is where a nicely sealed, air-tight, waterproof ammo container like the Solid Tactical 50 Cal. Metal Ammo Can comes to play.

Even if you have an air-tight ammo can, it’s also a good idea to include desiccants. Desiccants help lower the condensation. If your storage room is too moist, you could also consider getting a dehumidifier if you think it’s necessary.

Construction and Durability

Properly investing in an ammo can means thoroughly considering two material options: metal and polymer.

• Metal cans are durable, offer excellent security, and last for a long time. However, they’re heavy, rust easily, and most metal cans don’t stack properly.
• Plastic ammo cans, on the other hand, are less durable, lightweight, and usually have beveled edges. Moreover, they can be modified to properly stack with other boxes.

Both are excellent options and both can come with waterproof and weather-resistant gaskets that protect against moisture.

Some shooters even consider aesthetic reasons, and they pick the green camo steel boxes because nobody can resist the military surplus look.

Whatever the case (pun intended), it’s important to pick ammo cans that are airtight. If you want to buy in bulk, pick the ones that are guaranteed to stack in a stable, well-balanced manner.

Additional Security

If you feel that the security of your ammo boxes might be compromised, you should definitely get ammo boxes with padlocks like the Pelican V250 Vault Ammo Case that can keep your precious ammo safe with two stainless steel locks. You can also buy an ammo safe or a gun safe that will fit both guns and ammo.

Foam Inserts for Your Magazines

To properly store your magazines in an ammo can, I recommend you invest in some containers with a soft foam insert.

It doesn’t matter if your magazines are polymer or steel. The integrity of their construction depends on the interior walls of your ammo can, and if you want to neatly pack your mags without scratching their surface, foam or soft bedsides are the way to go.

Labeling and Rotating

Last, but not least, if you have lots of ammo cans with different calibers, properly categorizing them is very important.

Having more firearms means more caliber variety. You don’t want to lose track of your stock and insert the wrong cartridge in the wrong gun. That can be extremely dangerous.

The smartest thing to do here is to get some fancy decals or a simple marker and label every ammo box. Organized ammo storage is an organized mind.

Whether you’re a reloader, a veteran hunter, or a casual shooter, it’s crucial that you invest in good ammo storage boxes because they keep your bullets safe, organized, and prolong their shelf life.

I’m positive that any of these ammo containers on this list are guaranteed to protect and store your stock for a long time.

For the casual shooter, I recommend the well-balanced Solid Tactical 50 Cal. Metal Ammo Can that comes with silica gel packets.

On the other hand, for those of you who are considering buying a new house for their ammunition storage, I strongly recommend the MTM 4-Can Ammo Crates that offer all the storage one can need.

Keep in mind that there is no absolute “best ammo can.” You can only choose what’s best for your preferred ammunition stockpile location. If you keep your ammo cans in a dark, dry room with controlled moisture levels, you’ll have no problems.

Stay safe, shoot straight.