How Should You Store Ammunition to Avoid Damp?
Quick Answer
You should store ammunition in a cool, dry and secure place where temperature and humidity stay reasonably stable. Section 1 ammunition must be kept securely, while shotgun cartridges should still be stored safely, hidden from unauthorised people and protected from damp, damaged packaging and condensation.
Damp ammunition is not just untidy. Moisture can corrode cases, weaken packaging, obscure identification and make it harder to spot defects before shooting.
Why does damp matter for ammunition?
Damp matters because ammunition is a precision item that needs to remain clean, identifiable and mechanically sound. Corrosion, swollen packaging, oil contamination or water damage can all make ammunition suspect.
Most modern ammunition is robust when handled normally, but it is not improved by being kept in a cold garage, a damp loft or a cabinet affected by condensation. The Home Office Firearms Security Handbook 2020 warns that extremes of temperature, dampness and condensation can damage firearms and ammunition, and may also affect cabinet materials or fixings in damp areas.
For certificate holders, this is both a maintenance issue and a compliance issue. Good storage helps keep ammunition safe, usable and accountable.
What does UK guidance say about secure ammunition storage?
UK guidance distinguishes between Section 1 ammunition and ordinary shotgun cartridges. Section 1 ammunition must be stored securely. Shotgun cartridges are not covered by the same certificate condition, but safe storage is still strongly recommended.
The Home Office security handbook says ammunition for Section 1 firearms must be kept secure and, as best practice, should be stored in its own secure storage, such as an integral lockable compartment within a gun cabinet. BASC's firearms security advice makes the same practical distinction: Section 1 ammunition requires secure storage, while shotgun cartridges should still be kept hidden away and away from shotgun storage where appropriate.
Security and condition should be considered together. A storage place that is secure but damp is not ideal. A dry place that is easy for unauthorised people to access is not acceptable.
Where should ammunition be stored at home?
Ammunition should be stored somewhere secure, dry, discreet and reasonably stable in temperature. For many certificate holders, that means a locked ammunition compartment, a separate ammunition safe or another police-accepted secure arrangement.
Avoid locations that are prone to condensation or damp, such as sheds, outbuildings, unheated garages, loft corners, cellar floors or external walls with poor ventilation. If your firearms cabinet is in an area that becomes cold overnight and warm during the day, monitor it for condensation.
Keep ammunition off bare concrete floors. Use shelving, sealed boxes or suitable storage containers so packaging is not absorbing moisture from the surface beneath it.
Should ammunition stay in its original packaging?
Ammunition should usually stay in its original packaging until use because the box identifies the calibre, cartridge length, bullet weight, load, manufacturer and often the batch. That information is useful for safety, performance tracking and any later recall or defect query.
If you transfer ammunition into another container, label it clearly. Do not mix calibres, bullet weights or loads in a loose tin. Similar-looking cartridges can be confused, especially with small centrefire rounds or shotgun cartridges of different chamber lengths.
For rifle ammunition, keeping boxes intact also helps you track zero, group performance and batch consistency. For shotgun cartridges, it helps distinguish clay loads, game loads, steel shot, fibre wad, plastic wad and different case lengths.
Can desiccant packs or humidity monitors help?
Desiccant packs and humidity monitors can help, but they are not a substitute for a suitable storage location. Silica gel in a sealed box can reduce moisture inside that container, especially if ammunition is stored for long periods.
Use desiccants according to the manufacturer's instructions. Some need recharging in an oven or replacing after they have absorbed moisture. A small hygrometer can show whether a cabinet or storage box is regularly sitting in damp conditions.
Be careful with oils, solvents and strong chemical vapours around ammunition. Ammunition storage should be dry and clean, not heavily oiled or contaminated by cleaning products.
How should you inspect ammunition before use?
Inspect ammunition before use by checking the case, primer, projectile or shot cartridge case, and packaging. Anything visibly damaged should be set aside.
- Corrosion: Look for green, white, red or dark crusting, pitting or roughness on metal cases.
- Dents or split cases: Do not fire ammunition with significant case damage.
- Loose bullets or shot closures: Check that centrefire bullets are seated properly and shotgun crimps are intact.
- Oil or water contamination: Wet or oily ammunition should be treated as suspect.
- Wrong calibre: Confirm the headstamp and box match the firearm you are using.
- Damaged packaging: Swollen, mouldy or collapsed boxes suggest poor storage conditions.
If in doubt, do not shoot it. Ask a competent gunsmith, club armourer or experienced reloader for advice, or follow the disposal route recommended by your club, police force or retailer.
What should you do with suspect or damaged ammunition?
Suspect ammunition should be isolated, labelled and kept secure until you can dispose of it safely. Do not put live ammunition in ordinary household waste and do not attempt to dismantle it unless you are competent and legally entitled to do so.
For club shooters, the simplest route is often to ask the club secretary, range officer or armourer. Some clubs have established procedures for misfires, damaged rounds or old ammunition. Retailers and police firearms licensing teams may also be able to advise on local disposal options.
Record what happened. Note the calibre, quantity, suspected issue and disposal route. This keeps your ammunition account tidy and avoids confusion at renewal or stock check time.
How should ammunition be transported in wet weather?
Ammunition transported in wet weather should be kept covered, contained and out of standing water. Use a closed range bag, cartridge bag or ammunition box, and avoid leaving boxes open in rain while you are on the firing point.
The Home Office security handbook also includes guidance on firearms and ammunition in transit, including keeping items out of sight and secure when travelling. For everyday shooters, the practical point is simple: keep ammunition dry, controlled and accounted for from home to range and back again.
After a wet range day, check the boxes before putting them back into storage. Do not put damp cardboard into a sealed ammunition safe and forget about it, because the moisture can stay trapped.
How do storage habits support your shooting records?
Storage habits support your shooting records because ammunition is easier to manage when you know what you bought, used, stored and disposed of. A good log reduces guesswork.
Record purchases, quantities used, batch notes where useful, remaining stock and any damaged ammunition. If you are testing different loads, record performance and conditions too. This is particularly useful for rifle shooters managing zero, bullet weight and lot consistency.
Vectis Shooting Log can help you keep those notes in one place. Instead of trying to reconstruct ammunition use from receipts and memory, you can keep a simple running account after each range visit or stalking trip.
What is a practical ammunition storage routine?
A practical ammunition storage routine is short, repeatable and easy to maintain. It should not depend on a major annual tidy-up.
- Store Section 1 ammunition in approved secure storage.
- Keep shotgun cartridges dry, hidden and away from unauthorised access.
- Keep ammunition in original boxes where possible.
- Label any transferred ammunition clearly.
- Use desiccant or a humidity monitor if the storage area is marginal.
- Inspect stock before range trips and after wet weather.
- Separate suspect ammunition immediately.
- Record purchases, use, checks and disposal.
This routine protects your equipment, reduces waste and shows the same disciplined approach that police, clubs and responsible shooters expect from certificate holders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should you store ammunition to avoid damp in the UK?
Store ammunition in a cool, dry, secure place with stable temperature and low humidity. Section 1 ammunition must be kept securely, and all ammunition benefits from being kept off damp floors, away from condensation and in suitable packaging.
Does Section 1 ammunition need to be locked away?
Yes. Home Office security guidance says ammunition for Section 1 firearms must be kept secure, usually in a lockable compartment or separate secure storage. Shotgun cartridges are not subject to the same certificate condition, but secure and safe storage is still sensible.
Can damp damage ammunition?
Damp can corrode cases, affect primers, damage packaging and make it harder to inspect ammunition properly. Any ammunition showing corrosion, swelling, split cases or contamination should be treated cautiously and not fired unless a competent person confirms it is safe.
Should ammunition be stored in its original box?
Original boxes are useful because they identify calibre, load, batch and manufacturer. If you use other containers, label them clearly and avoid loose mixed ammunition that can lead to calibre confusion.
Can I use silica gel with ammunition?
Silica gel or other desiccants can help control moisture inside a storage box or cabinet. They should not replace good storage conditions, and they need checking or recharging according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Should shotgun cartridges be locked away?
Shotgun cartridges do not have the same statutory secure storage condition as Section 1 ammunition, but BASC and police guidance commonly recommend keeping them hidden, dry and away from unauthorised people, especially children.
What humidity is best for ammunition storage?
There is no single legal humidity figure for ordinary certificate holders, but stable, dry conditions are best. Avoid lofts, sheds, garages and other places prone to condensation unless the security and environment are suitable.
How often should I inspect stored ammunition?
Inspect ammunition whenever you rotate stock, before range trips and after any storage problem such as damp, flooding or damaged packaging. A quarterly check is a practical routine for many certificate holders.
Should I record ammunition storage checks?
It is good practice to record stock checks, purchases, use and any damaged or disposed ammunition. A digital shooting log helps you track quantities, batches and any issues noticed during storage.