The 10 Best Ammo Cans

If you want the genuine military pattern, the Ammo Can Man M2A1 is it: U.S.-made steel sold by a veteran-owned surplus dealer in Arkansas. A rubber gasket lines the hinged lid, and one stout latch clamps it against rain and dust. The wire handle folds flat for stacking. Being military issue, a can may arrive stenciled. It gets heavy once it's loaded, and bare steel will rust wherever the paint chips.

The MTM AC50C copies the familiar military shape in tough plastic that never rusts and is far lighter to carry than steel. An O-ring in the lid and two latches keep out dust and splashes, and twin tabs take padlocks. MTM molds it at its own Ohio factory, and the lid ridges lock into the base of the next can up. The maker calls it water resistant but not submersible, so keep it out of standing water.

Shoppers counting pennies get the basics from the Sheffield 12629 with a tapered plastic box and a gasketed lid that shrugs off dust and rain. Empty boxes nest inside each other, which saves closet space between range trips, and a padlock fits in three spots. Sheffield builds it stateside and backs it for life. The seal handles splashes rather than soaking, so tuck in a desiccant pack if it lives in a damp garage.

Buyers who want brand-new steel cans that match on a shelf tend to land on the Fortress 50AM. It follows the classic military layout, with a rubber-sealed lid, a solid hinge and a carry handle, and it arrives in fresh paint with no old markings. It's one of the most-bought steel cans around, and the record on its seal is solid. The seller doesn't say where it's made, so check that the gasket sits evenly when it arrives.

Four slim plastic cans ride in one rugged crate with the MTM AC4C, so each caliber gets its own can and the whole set moves in one trip. Every can has an O-ring lid. Crates stack, and tie-down slots let you strap one to an ATV rack or a truck bed. The narrow cans hold less than a full-size can, and MTM admits they tip over easily once they're out of the crate.

Rifle shooters who keep a few boxes of one caliber often prefer the slim .30-caliber shape, and the Fortress 30AM brings it in all steel. Its narrow body fits a tight shelf, a closet corner or the floor of a gun safe without hogging room. The lid closes on a rubber seal under a hinged latch, the same way the military cans do. It holds far less, so anyone buying ammo in bulk will need a stack of them.

Loose pistol rounds rattle and scuff in their cardboard boxes, and the MTM Case-Gard P-100 fixes that with a flip-top case that holds 100 rounds of 9mm, each standing in its own slot. It takes .380 and similar short pistol rounds too. A snap latch and a full-length hinge keep it shut in a range bag, and MTM builds these cases in Ohio. It's a carry case, not a sealed one, so park it inside a can for long storage.

Hunters who buy factory boxes of rifle cartridges or shotgun shells get plenty of room in the Plano 1312, a deep field box from an Illinois maker of tackle and gun boxes. Several retail boxes fit side by side. A tongue-and-groove lid keeps out rain and grit, a brass bail latch holds it closed, and the big handle suits gloves. It resists water rather than sealing it out, so don't count on it in a flooded boat.

Range regulars who haul several calibers, ear muffs and cleaning gear at once will like the MTM ACDC50, a big plastic crate with removable dividers you can slide into new spots as needs change. Strong latches and an O-ring seal the lid, padlock tabs add some security, and MTM backs it for five years. Once it's loaded it's bulky and heavy to lug, and it won't fit on a standard closet shelf.

Built like the hard cases photographers and tradespeople trust, the Pelican Vault V250 wraps your ammo in a tough polymer shell made to take knocks. Its lid seals against dust and moisture, push-button latches open with one hand, and steel hasps accept padlocks. The tall, open inside holds boxed ammo, a pistol case or range gear. It is bulkier than a plastic can, and Pelican gives it no waterproof rating.