Tacoma

I have been shooting for a couple of years now, but never come across this question. A friend of my wife says that if we have a house fire, the amo stored in the basement will explode and destroy the house.

I store my amo in several metal and plastic amo boxes in the basement next to an outside wall. I have never considered the possibility of unexpected explosion caused by a house fire or otherwise.

If this is a valid concern, what options do I have besides digging a hole in the back yard and storing it underground?

TucAzRider

While it can indeed "blow up"... It would take a real house fire to make it happen.. And being in the basement would be the best place for it,. If you can get a fire proof safe to put it in that would be better,.. Think about it,. Have you even been to a bon-fire when some butt-head puts a 22 in the fire or something larger? It isn't like it explodes right away, it takes a bit to get it hot enough to explode the powder,.. I had a fire for hours once when I was camping and all the sudden a shell exploded in the fire,.. . Must have been left over from someone else and didn't explode with my fire for hours,..

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SIXTO

No, it wont blow up. That is silliness. They will cook off, thats about it.

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TheShadow

Your more likely to be injured/killed by the fire or smoke than the ammo. The shell casings would be flying around but not the lead. This may keep the firefighters at bay if it poses any danger to them. IMO

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jumpwing

The force of a discharged round is sent in all directions. When the round is chambered, the force has nowhere to go but down the barrel (with a tad left over for recoil). When the cartridge isn't tightly constricted, the force simply separates the bullet and casing. Since the casing is lighter, it tends to travel farther but neither piece moves with any life-threatening velocity.

What you'll end up with is a very expensive and very disappointing fireworks display that will be heard but--if it's in the basement--not seen or felt.

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MinistrMalic

If you are worried about it, I would buy a fire safe that can fit your ammo. That should keep the ammo from cooking off before the FD gets there. Having the ammo in the basement is smart, too, because it will not get as hot down there as fast.

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Janq

Yep.
She's been watching too many westerns.

BTW I have seen a house blow up for real IRL, and it was due to a natural gas leak as piped into the home for heating and cooking.
The results from that was complete obliteration of the structure.

If she's truly worried about the house blowing up then advise her that she'll have to get rid of her stove, ASAP...if it's gas, NG or propane too.
Same goes for the hot water heater and your backyard grill as well if either of those run on gas.
Oh and the cars you guys drive they gotta go as well...Unless it/they are powered by diesel.

- Janq

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farronwolf

Yep, cure her by making a fire sometime and putting a few .22 shells in it and let them cook off. She will be unimpressed by the results.

This happens at times when we clean up around camp and put the raked leaves into the fire. Never fails that on occasion we get a dropped round in there and eventually, pop. Less than stimulating.

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shooterX

Where did her friend get her information, MSNBC?

dukalmighty

Tell her theres a lot more potential for a home explosion from her burritos or chili than your ammo

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