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Surprising source for a desiccant for ammo storage--scoopable cat litter

Posted on 03/10/2013 5:34:51 PM PDT by RoosterRedux

A friend encouraged me to store my ammo with a desiccant (something to remove moisture/humidity from the ammo can/box).

After talking to my pharmacist (a gun lover), I learned that the primary ingredient in desiccant packets is silica.

After an online search for available products containing silica in a volume that would work as an ammo desiccant, I learned that there is a surprising source of which I already had plenty...scoopable/clumping cat litter.

Thought I would share this and ask for comments.


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To: SampleMan

If I want to be really, really sure, would it help if I baked my ammo for 2 hours?


21 posted on 03/10/2013 6:07:28 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The ballot box is a sham. Nothing will change until after the war.)
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To: Kirkwood
You need some way to determine the moisture content of it.

I have a hygrometer that I use in my homemade plastic humidor.

My local pharmacist (who is a gun nut and reloader with thousands of rounds in storage) said you can always a heat a desiccant for a while in the oven or microwave before storage to get rid of any ambient moisture.

22 posted on 03/10/2013 6:10:21 PM PDT by RoosterRedux (Get armed, practice in the use of your weapons, get physically fit, stay alert!)
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To: American in Israel
Must be the clumping litter.

But then I guess cats in Israel don't need litter...plentiful deserts and beaches.;-)

23 posted on 03/10/2013 6:12:40 PM PDT by RoosterRedux (Get armed, practice in the use of your weapons, get physically fit, stay alert!)
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To: SampleMan

Really important to start with unused litter.”

That’s a hoot. Sounds like a warning Bloomie would issue if he were into storing ammo.

To my cat there is no such a thing as “unused litter”. With some true dedication and time alone she can dump the box of new litter and scatter its contents all over the bathroom floor. Then she can have her own huge playground.


24 posted on 03/10/2013 6:13:08 PM PDT by Grams A (The Sun will rise in the East in the morning and God is still on his throne.)
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To: 353FMG
How long do you expect to keep your ammo?

Until the SHTF or the zombie apocalypse, whichever comes first.:-)

25 posted on 03/10/2013 6:15:07 PM PDT by RoosterRedux (Get armed, practice in the use of your weapons, get physically fit, stay alert!)
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To: SampleMan

Silica gel can be recharged in an oven, but not silica clay (kitty litter). Silica clay is a one way process (absorption only), but silica gel has buffering capability. So if he starts with silica clay that is already full of moisture, why use it? Like I said, you need a way to measure the moisture content to know if it will absorb more moisture. If it were me, I would just buy the silica gel which lasts forever.


26 posted on 03/10/2013 6:16:22 PM PDT by Kirkwood (Zombie Hunter)
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To: Kirkwood

Not arguing with your preference for silica, but I find it impossible to believe that clay will not release water vapor when baked. I’ve seen an awful lot of clay suck up water when it rains, and then turn to dust in the sun.


27 posted on 03/10/2013 6:20:15 PM PDT by SampleMan (Feral Humans are the refuse of socialism.)
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To: ClearCase_guy
If I want to be really, really sure, would it help if I baked my ammo for 2 hours?

Sure, don't worry about the timer, you'll know when its done.

28 posted on 03/10/2013 6:22:18 PM PDT by SampleMan (Feral Humans are the refuse of socialism.)
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To: RoosterRedux

The desiccant I use for various things that I wish to keep dry is powdered milk in a jar with holes in the lid. Just my 2 cents.


29 posted on 03/10/2013 6:23:48 PM PDT by Octar
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To: RoosterRedux
Until the SHTF or the zombie apocalypse, whichever comes first.:-)

Since you're not going to be storing it for long, I wouldn't worry about humidity.

30 posted on 03/10/2013 6:33:43 PM PDT by Pollster1
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To: Kirkwood

Is that true? Scoopable litter cooked in an oven will not release its moisture?


31 posted on 03/10/2013 6:36:14 PM PDT by RoosterRedux (Get armed, practice in the use of your weapons, get physically fit, stay alert!)
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To: ClearCase_guy

“If I want to be really, really sure, would it help if I baked my ammo for 2 hours?”

Pull up a comfy easy chair in front of the oven, sit in it all nice and cosy, and take a nap...when you hear the snap, crackle, pop open the door and remove it... :)


32 posted on 03/10/2013 6:39:19 PM PDT by GGpaX4DumpedTea (I am a Tea Party descendant...steeped in the Constitutional Republic given to us by the Founders.)
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To: RoosterRedux

I’ve used crystal cat litter as a desiccant. Looks a bit like rock salt and it seems to work fine in removing moisture.


33 posted on 03/10/2013 6:39:48 PM PDT by JackOfVA
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To: RoosterRedux

I would be very cautions of any additives, such as fragrence, that would outgas and cause corrosion to your hardware.
Maybe just buy a commercial dessicant that is made for that purpose.


34 posted on 03/10/2013 6:46:04 PM PDT by loungitude (The truth hurts.)
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To: Vermont Lt; RoosterRedux

“.....That much dust cannot be good for anything to do with a firearm.”

Exactly my thoughts on this. I just finished cleaning up the cattery for the week, and nightly have to clean some others. I can tell you about dust, and how that cat dust gets into everything. Super scoop, or otherwise the dust is an enemy to your quality firearms.


35 posted on 03/10/2013 6:47:10 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: RoosterRedux

I think the best bet is to vacuum pack your ammo. As the pressure decreases, any moisture “boils off” and is sucked away. Then pack the vacuum bags in kitty litter (Synthetic Zeolite) in a waterproof container. Then even if one of the bags loses its seal, the kitty litter will hopefully keep it dry.


36 posted on 03/10/2013 6:47:31 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy (Best WoT news at rantburg.com)
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To: RoosterRedux

Tends to be corrosive if much moisture is present, so you have to wrap your ammo in nonreactive material if you use it.


37 posted on 03/10/2013 6:49:29 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: PapaBear3625
I drink a lot of Country-Time lemonade (prevents kidney stones dontchaknow!)
and it comes as a powder in a round, hard plastic container that fills exactly to the brim when a box of 500 .22lr rounds is poured in.
It has a screw-top lid, and twists shut so tight you know no moisture will get in.
Gatorade powder also comes in the same type container.
If you were really worried, I guess a bead of silicone sealant around the threads first would make it entirely waterproof.
Maybe some rice in a strip of panthose would take care of any moisture sealed inside.
38 posted on 03/10/2013 6:53:46 PM PDT by 45semi (A police state is always preceded by a nanny state...)
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To: RoosterRedux

I store my ammo in old ammo cans that I bought at the army surplus store for ten bucks apiece. The olive-drab NATO kind that seal up like an old-fashioned mason jar. It never occurred that moisture could get into them anyway, especially since I live in an environment that gets very humid in the rainy season. The cat litter in pantyhose sounds like an excellent idea. Using rice sounds like a great idea, too. I put dry rice in salt shakers to keep the salt from clumping in the humidity, so it should work just as well in ammo cans.


39 posted on 03/10/2013 6:58:02 PM PDT by jespasinthru (Proud member of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy.)
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To: Girlene

OMG, I have to show the wife that.


40 posted on 03/10/2013 7:06:36 PM PDT by this_ol_patriot
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