Carrying ammo loose or organized?

I like to hike into shooting sports, so there’s some things that can be done differently with gear that makes life a little better. Concerning transporting ammo, does anyone with experience, or someone that just knows better, know if there is a downside to carrying ammo loose. The pouch I’ve got holds significantly more ammo, almost 50% more, than does an organized ammo box. Besides increased capacity with increased weight, are there any other pros/cons I don’t know of? Is it detrimental to have ammo being hiked around loose? Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.

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Here’s my loose vs. organized options.
https://s31.postimg.cc/ov96k8g0b/B6_..._F1_EC0_CE.jpg

I don't carry ammo loose when hunting because the noise the rounds make bumping into each other. There is also a safety aspect. The probability may be slim but if the bullet tip were to impact the primer......

If it's plinking/blazing ammo sure.... If I'm expecting it to be precision ammo that I spent hours at the bench making perfect definitely not. Just not worth it in my opinion. Hike all the way to a position just to end in frustration because of something like seating depth or concentricity getting messed up due to poor storage... My buddy at Walsh Custom Defense just released a 120rds ammo binder. It's what I'll be using for all my matches and most range trips.

crimped with cannalured FMJ bullets, I would say you are GTG. Some of my dies lack enough squeeze for neck tension that I would trust it not to shift around.

Interesting point. I will say, in the organized box, the rounds aren't held static and rattle up and down, perfectly along the round's axis. Thinking about it, I'd rather have another round pushing lightly on the side of another round, which is what happens carrying rounds loosely, rather than having the rounds hitting the lid directly on the nose over and over while hiking. Because of the shape of a round, in the loose bag, a round likely never has a force loaded directly on the nose, down the axis of the round. I suppose the ammo binder will remedy both situations. I checked on the web page you mentioned but they don't mention the product to speak of.

D

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Originally Posted by Baller

Interesting point. I will say, in the organized box, the rounds aren't held static and rattle up and down, perfectly along the round's axis. Thinking about it, I'd rather have another round pushing lightly on the side of another round, which is what happens carrying rounds loosely, rather than having the rounds hitting the lid directly on the nose over and over while hiking. Because of the shape of a round, in the loose bag, a round likely never has a force loaded directly on the nose, down the axis of the round. I suppose the ammo binder will remedy both situations. I checked on the web page you mentioned but they don't mention the product to speak of.

D

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I install foam on the tops of all my ammo boxes to prevent them from bouncing around at all.

Downside to carrying loose are: grit, possible increased run-out, loss. Maybe others. Do you have a separate pouch for the empties?

My hunting carry is a spare magazine or an MTM pack. When big-game hunting I usually carry only 4 to 13 rounds. Varmints - a spare 50 case in the pack. When I "patrol my perimeter" I have a single shot .223 with a spare pouch in the stock that holds 7 rounds (rigidly) and a spare MTM belt box of 20 more. 28 shots would be a LOT in a couple hours of walking.

I like the MTM Wallet. Mine holds 9 rounds and a bore snake. With the magazine I have 13 rounds. That's plenty.

Rimfire? I dump a couple 50 boxes into a belt pouch and carry loose.

Crimped/plinking ammo wouldn't be an issue other than the noise of it banging around. I don't know that I would carry my precision reloads that way though. I'm sure cheap hunting rounds should be fine.

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Originally Posted by LoneWolf

If it's plinking/blazing ammo sure.... If I'm expecting it to be precision ammo that I spent hours at the bench making perfect definitely not.

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My thoughts exactly.

Put it in a quart ziplock freezer bag or 3, roll it tight, put a rubber band around it, put it in the bag you got there and hit the trail.

Walsh custom Defense just released this 120rds ammo binders! Already love this thing! It actually is quite a bit smaller than I expected!

https://www.walshcustom.com/ should be up on the site soon though!

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Originally Posted by Robinhood

Put it in a quart ziplock freezer bag or 3, roll it tight, put a rubber band around it, put it in the bag you got there and hit the trail.

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But but i always (hit the trail) in a Jeep. Would i still need the Ziplocks with rubber bands?
Dosent seem to be a very user friendly way to me anyway actually.
And what about toilet paper? How best to carry that when out on the trail?
Might be a better chance of needing that than ammo when out there on the trail.
I personally prefer those tan colored napkins from Wendys, very eco friendly.
I sometimes just order napkins at the drive thru.
I usually just stuff some in those little pockets on the doors of the Jeep so their handy if needed.
Wonder if i should keep my ammo in there instead?

Is that a .338 Lapua in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

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Originally Posted by yobuck

But but i always (hit the trail) in a Jeep. Would i still need the Ziplocks with rubber bands?
Dosent seem to be a very user friendly way to me anyway actually.
And what about toilet paper? How best to carry that when out on the trail?
Might be a better chance of needing that than ammo when out there on the trail.
I personally prefer those tan colored napkins from Wendys, very eco friendly.
I sometimes just order napkins at the drive thru.
I usually just stuff some in those little pockets on the doors of the Jeep so their handy if needed.
Wonder if i should keep my ammo in there instead?

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Well heck yobuck thats a different problem. You can put yours in a sock and hang them off your mirror for quick access.

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Originally Posted by Robinhood

Well heck yobuck thats a different problem. You can put yours in a sock and hang them off your mirror for quick access.

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Hey, not a bad idea, the sock could even serve double duty, might be better than using your drag rope. lol
But you know what? after 70 seasons of hunting, i never even realized this was a problem till now.
My ammo stays in the jeep for the whole season. I wonder if the overnight temp changes affect it? Nahh.

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Originally Posted by yobuck

Hey, not a bad idea, the sock could even serve double duty, might be better than using your drag rope. lol
But you know what? after 70 seasons of hunting, i never even realized this was a problem till now.
My ammo stays in the jeep for the whole season. I wonder if the overnight temp changes affect it? Nahh.

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How are you 68 (per your profile info) and have 70 seasons of hunting under your belt?

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter = Four Seasons. ;-)

17-1/2 years. :distracted:

Unless you load your Ammo with no neck tension, plan on using the ammo pouch as a seat cushion on rocks, or using your ammo pouch as an impromptu softball for a quick game your ammo will be fine.

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Originally Posted by LoneWolf

I install foam on the tops of all my ammo boxes to prevent them from bouncing around at all.

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Makes them quieter too.

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Originally Posted by LoneWolf

How are you 68 (per your profile info) and have 70 seasons of hunting under your belt?

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Cant answer about why the profile states my age at 68.
But I can answer to being born in Philadelphia PA in April of 1935.
Started hunting in 1947, making the past season my 70TH.

You are old enough to be my dad.

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Originally Posted by Robinhood

You are old enough to be my dad.

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Grandpa!

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Originally Posted by rosewood

Grandpa!

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Great grandpa, and a few of them are old enough to hunt also.
And since so many are asking lol, as I look back, about the first 20 or so of those 70 years are the ones id like back.

You are old enough to be my grandsons great grampa!!!!!

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Originally Posted by yobuck

But I can answer to being born in Philadelphia PA in April of 1935.

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Heck, you could be my brother! My Dad was born in 1912. He'd a been 23 when you were born. ;-)

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Originally Posted by LoneWolf

I install foam on the tops of all my ammo boxes to prevent them from bouncing around at all.

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=1! :thumb:

Shooters as a rule use up their ammo quickly.
But hunters on the other hand dont, at least they usually don't, or don't always.
So were all concerned here about how we transport our ammo so as not to alter or possibly damage it.
How much concern is there for properly stored unused ammo, maybe unused for several or more years?
Many of us have used old and even very old military ammo, but what about our own reloads?

What about shooters that hunt . . . or is it hunters that shoot?

I shoot all year to be ready for a month of hunting - which may involve one shot. Two if I have a doe tag and didn't get a bow opportunity.

But I'll go through a couple hundred rounds before then to be ready, and just to have fun practicing. Reloading is one of my favorite pass-times. But it is hunting practice. For every round at the bench I may shoot one or two under hunting conditions (offhand, leaning against a tree, cross sticks, mono-pod walking stick, sitting with elbows on knees, etc.). I don't carry a bench when hunting.

I carry ammo every day and cycle it with fresh in my concealed pistol and spare magazine. I go through 1,000 rounds annually +/- for that pistol but have yet to pull it in anything but practice.

As far as old reloads. I owned a Browning Hi-Power in 1977. This year (2018) I came across some reloads I had in 9mm (I don't currently reload for my EDC - too much brass chasing). I went 38 years without a 9mm so these were "oldies". I took them out and they shot fine. Nothing like coming across 250 rounds of centerfire you can just plink and play with. :thumb:

So you never have any loaded ammo that lays around for maybe a couple years?
Well that's fine, I guess my question dosent include you, but only those who do.
Be advised those who do, that bullets tend to weld themselves to the case when left sit for long periods.
And that can cause issues, sometimes even serious issues, other than just accuracy issues.
Certainly a more potentially serious matter than how we carry our ammo, and worthy of discussion in my opinion.
And Stumpy, there is a difference between carrying around a bench (when) you hunt, and carrying one to (where) you hunt.
Even in PA, ive not met any nimrod dumb enough to carry one the whole time their walking about.
Same with those clumsy tree stands, id say very few guys would actually carry one around with them.
But there are lots of guys probably everywhere, who have gotten really good at doing those one man deer drives. lol

I said I had some of my own reloaded ammo that "sat around" for 38 years. Still fired off fine. Have been blessed in the last few homes with dry and relatively climate-steady basements.

Squirreled away in my cabin I have a couple SPAM cans (440 rounds) of 7.62 x 54R that were Korean War era fodder (Czech) that I stockpiled from when Billy Clinton ran for office. ;-) Also some old Greek .303 British that is from around 1955 +/-. Turns out I had more to fear from our governor - the SAFE Act scared off most distributors from shipping to NY (even though it is not forbidden to most areas in the state). Glad I shopped ahead.

Im specifically referring to reloaded ammo, not old military ammo, or old factory ammo, but that's worth checking also.
Trust me when I say that if and when you experience the potential problem, it will get your serious attention.
Have you ever noticed how hard it is to pull the tips from old ammo someone might have given you or you bought for the brass?
Well set your seating die about a turn or so deeper, and listen closely when you seat it deeper.
Then try that with some of your own that's been sitting around for awhile.
Sometimes it sounds like somebody snapped a stick, and if fired in your gun could lock up the action and ruin the case at least.