A little tip (Silica gel)

[bluez]

Inside packages with electronics there are usually small bags of silica gel is placed to absore water.  Around a year ago, i loaded some 30-30 ammo. I decided to put a small bag with silica gel in one of the boxes. When i opened and looked inside a few days ago, i discovered that the ammo with the silica  still looks completely new, with shinny brass. 

[LONGTOM]

May I suggest that if you loaded other ammo at the same time and did not put any SILICA GEL in with them and they have tarnished then you may need a better place to store your ammo.

I have ammo (both factory new and reloads by me) that has been stored over 15yrs and the brass still looks as it did the day I stored it.
They are just in an ordinary cabnet but the temperature is constant year round with no dampness.




LONGTOM

[chutesnreloads]

I've been saving and using them things for years.I keep them close to anything that might rust.
 

[Land_Owner]

I believe they can be heated - gently - to drive off the absorbed moisture and reused.  Any confirmation on that?

[curteric]

Yes they can be reused. There are commercial sizes, that get reused.  I have some old bags of desiccant labeled "Desicite" by Filtrol. They weigh about 1.5 lb. and the reactivation directions are printed on the bag.  245-275 deg F. for 12 hours. If I'm in a hurry, I have even microwaved them. I don't think that the little ones that we find in product packaging would take that much time and temp. I think that when the wife is done baking and the oven is still warm I would put them in until it cools off.

[bluez]

May I suggest that if you loaded other ammo at the same time and did not put any SILICA GEL in with them and they have tarnished then you may need a better place to store your ammo.

I have ammo (both factory new and reloads by me) that has been stored over 15yrs and the brass still looks as it did the day I stored it.
They are just in an ordinary cabnet but the temperature is constant year round with no dampness.

I am storing all my ammo reloading gear in my basement (i have to), it seems there is a little more humidity than i expected. However usually i spend most of my ammo in a year or so. 

I have just bought a few of this on ebay :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ST-COBALT-FREE-INDICATING-SILICA-GEL-DESICCANT-100g-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2eb2967542QQitemZ200564700482QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f100

They change to green @ 60% moisture


BTW i found out that the smaller bags only need only15 minutes in around 200 deg c.




LONGTOM
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