Since I have bought a vacuum packaging machine I have been thinking about sealing my hunting ammunition until needed. I loaded 100 rounds of 7mm mag this fall and only used a few. Has anyone vacuum sealed there ammo? Would it be possible for the low pressure surrounding the cases to have an effect on the powder?

A friend of mine tried vacuum packaging his new empty brass. The seal did not last it must have been cut on a case mouth he said. It might work if your bullets aren’t too pointed. It would be a great way to keep them from corroding I would think. Let us know how it works out be sure to check and see if they are still sealed occasionally.

BTW I sealed some venison steak last season and a couple of the packages lost the seal and freezer burned before I found out. If you seal meat freeze it first so it don’t draw the fluid into the area being sealed. I found this out the hard way.

Good luck and happy hunting.

I don't see why it would not work, but ziplock bags work well too and you can reseal them after using a portion of the ammo.

you might have to redo the velocity and trajectory tables a bit - cause - (ready for this?)
everybody knows a bullet travels faster in a vaccuum
hey - it's just one of those days

quote:

Since I have bought a vacuum packaging machine I have been thinking about sealing my hunting ammunition until needed.

Dude, you're bored!

I've never claimed to be the brightest crayon in the box, But wouldn't the atmosphere inside the cartridge try and equal the atmosphere inside the bag. My figuring has either the primers or projectiles moving out to allow the equalisation.

You are right to a point, but I don't think the kitchen vacuum packers have that kind of power and I'm not entirely sure that a bullet would be 100% airtight.

MontMike, That is what I am concerned about, I doubt that the cartridge is totally air tight. Would the vacuum pull the air out from the inside of the cartridge causing the powder to behave differently than normal atmospheric pressure? Or would the solution just be to take the ammunition out a month before use to allow the pressure to stablize? Like Brad says, I am bored, Maybe I can do a little testing and see if there is any variation in muzzle fps or accuracy. I will report any findings here first!!

Well... I admit that I have done it and - no - it does not keep the brass shiney.

It will still tarnish. Beyond that, I saw no practical value in going through the trouble - unless you have a concern for your ammo getting wet on a hunting trip. In which case it would make sense.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
you might have to redo the velocity and trajectory tables a bit - cause - (ready for this?)
everybody knows a bullet travels faster in a vaccuum
hey - it's just one of those days

Yes...it indeed has been one of them days

FWIW there's absolutely no reason to vacuum pack your ammo.

Why bother? I shot some .270win I had reloaded 15 years ago, and had been stored in the garage in the heat, cold, and humidity. They shot just as good as they did when I 1st loaded them 1/2" 3 shot group at 100yds. I

quote:

Originally posted by MajorCaliber:
Why bother? I shot some .270win I had reloaded 15 years ago, and had been stored in the garage in the heat, cold, and humidity. They shot just as good as they did when I 1st loaded them 1/2" 3 shot group at 100yds. I

Agree

Or..... If you unseal the ammo in humid conditions, will it draw moisture into your load as it draws air sround the bullet?

If you pull enough vacuum wouldn't the brass collapse? Ok I am bored also.

Have a great Thanksgiving

THe powder should burn essentially the same...14.7PSI atmosphere vs. 60000PSI and the powder contains its own oxygen for combustion.

Since the case is so small (small vessels require thinner walls) and the weakest part (the neck) has support (the bullet) I would be very surprised if even a total vacuum could collapse it. I have a strong pump for the evacuation of A/C systems...maybe I'll try it this weekend. Vacuum packing equipment is not very strong, on order with your home carpet cleaning vacuum.

If it floats your boat, go for it...I for one can't see it hurting anything. Will it help...??? Clean ammo won't corrode much by itself in a tight box...

I am begining to think this topic sucks.