I prefer to not leave ammo in a hot car for extended times on repeated occasions.

 

I've been out in the wilds in 110ºF with guns/mags in the range bag that's stuffed in the trunk for a couple days, without any ill effects.

I've carried in 118ºF for a couple of days. No ill effects (beyond the obvious).

I wouldn't do it daily in Yuma in the summertime, but in NC you're probably not going experience any problems. YMMV.

 

I have some ammo that's been outside in a black metal container all through last summer here in FL, and all through this winter. I have identical ammo inside in the safe. If I can find a chronograph locally I'll compare the two batches to see how consistant they are. FWIW the container didn't explode even in the middle of summer.

 

If nothing else in the car is spontaneously combusting your ammo won't either.

 

Ammo isn't meant to be stored that way long term - but if if happens once in a while, that's just life. A cool dry place will help ammo last a hundred years. If it's your carry ammo and you shoot it every 3-12 months anyways....I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about it. If you wanted to do an experiment on the effects of exposure to heat on ammo, it would be hard to test the chamber pressure, so I'd just chronograph it. I bet it would still shoot though...

Austin

 

In that environment it will pop like popcorn! LOL! I'm joking. I left my gun in the car before on a hot Summer day and it was fine.

 

Rust where sweat has gathered is a greater concern, from my experience.

 

I keep some extra mags in my truck, even in during the summer in Texas. A long time ago, in a place far away, I carried ammo through the desert. Nothing is going to go boom unless you park in a volcano or your car catches fire.

 

I don't think it's so much a matter of the ammo cooking off as much as the possible deterioration of the powder in the long term. Most manufacturers recommend a cool, dry place for "storage," but obviously we don't always operate in cool, dry places. While ammunition is for purposes sealed against moisture/humidity, it should not be subjected to high temps for long durations.

 

Probably not something I would do, but I don't see any ammo difficulties being invented by the heat.

 

Years ago it was my Colt Python and .357Mag ammo in Florida Summers while working on the Dade Metro Rail and never had an issue. In a hot car 5 days a week and off to Cool Atlanta for the weekend. Lots of RED Tags at Delta for the Checked Baggage. BTW, the ammo was kept in Dade Speed Loaders out of the movie Magnum Force made by the Dade Screw Machine Products Company! I have never had an issue with ammo stored in a vehicle.

 

That you know of. I'd be interested to see what happens if ammo that's kept in a hot car for a long time, say all summer, is chrono'd and compared with ammo that's maintained in cooler temps.

 

I had the mags stolen off my car in front of the house years ago.....Oh you meant the magazines for your pistol?? LOL

 

My company ran tests on small propane cylinders (the kind used in our nail guns) left in the sun, in and out of its packaging, inside and outside an automobile.

We discovered the temperatures inside a parked vehicle with the outside temperature at 97 degrees reached 140 degrees F. We also determined that the temperature inside the clear plastic package laying on the dashboard reached 195 degrees F. At 180 degrees F we began to see container failure and had several gas cannisters burst inside the retail packaging.

Since the combustion level of gunpowder is higher than 180 degrees, it is unlikely you would encounter spontaneous combustion of your ammunition. That being said, I think you stand a real chance of your kydex holsters possibly deforming if left in the sun inside a closed vehicle. I have no idea what the temperature effect would be on polymer pistol frames.

 

This thread reminds me of that episode of American Hoggers where the dad's truck catches fire and he runs towards until he remembers he had ammo in it. LOL

Doesn't really apply to this thread except cars are more likely to overheat and catch fire in the summer. Be safe.

 

I've heard Glock Mags will melt into puddles of black plastic if left outside in 95 degree temps

 

LOL .... :rofl:

Just another reason to carry a 1911. In all seriousness, I keep one or two extra mags in my truck. Sumertime in Utah can reach well over 100* and inside a vehicle can be well over 120*. Never had an issue in 15 yrs of CCW. YMMV

 

Not an issue. I lived in SW OK for years. Summertime temp reaching 100+ was common. Never had a problem with ammo. Even with the car closed where inside temp could easily reach 120+ I never had a round cook off. Now I will admit I've burned the Hades out of myself with a hot frame when I laid my arm against it!

 

Do a Google search of Youtube and look for Mythbusters exploding ammo. They had fun trying to get ammo to explode in an oven.

 

I've had mags & ammo in my GHB for years. I wouldn't leave ammo or a charged mag laying on the dash in the HOT South Carolina sun. But, it shouldn't be any problem in a range bag or GHB.

-

 

Is there any Kydex in this story?

 

SAAMI Reccommendations for ammo storage.

Let's put this discussion to bed. Here is the SAAMI recommendation on ammunition storage, but please read the entire item as it lists many different storage conditions from wharehouses to auto trunks. It should also dispell some internet myths we all have heard. Also note the address at the bottom of page one Ironic?

http://www.saami.org/specifications...ns_and_information/publications/download/saami_item_202-sporting_ammunition.pdf

After reading, make your own decision as to how best store/secure you ammo.