Gear Review: Organize your ammo stash with MTM’s ammo crates

MTM Ammo Crates stacked. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

If you’ve ever tried stacking the myriad sizes and styles of both metal and polymer ammo cans on the market only to have full cans topple like a bad game of Jenga, you’ll appreciate the new product from MTM Case Gard: The Ammo Crate.

The Ammo Crates

The defining feature of MTM’s Ammo Crates are the four nesting grooves and ridges molded into the top and bottom of each unit.  They seat firmly with one another for the most secure stacking I’ve seen. All sizes stack equally well, and the grooves ensure you can stack ‘em high.

The Ammo Crates utilize MTM’s tongue and groove O-Ring seal system which provides superior water-resistant dry storage.  Though the company notes the cans should not be submerged, they give a satisfying seal-breaking sound upon opening. Double padlock tabs along with two strong latches make these crates a safe, long-term storage solution. Molded of high-impact polypropylene plastic and 100% made in the USA at MTM’s Dayton, Ohio factory, the products look and feel well built.  Heck, there are even tie-down points for ATV attachment in case you need to bug out or haul gear.

Size options

Ammo crates with mag and reloading box for size. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

Ammo Crates are newer to the market and are currently available in four sizes.  The smallest, ACR4, is an army green 17.2″ x 10.7″ x 5.5″(H) exterior with a 13″ x 9″ x 4.8″(H) interior.  The company rates the ACR4 with a 65lb capacity, and two side carry handles make it easy to sling around.  At 570 cubic inches, it will hold a full flat of 12-gauge target loads, or 10 boxes.  MSRP on the ACR4 is a very reasonable $17.29.

The next larger size, ACR5, has exterior dimensions 19”(L) x 15.75”(W) x 5.25”(H) and interior 14.7”(L) x 13.9”(W) x 4.5”(H), and is able to hold up to 85 pounds of goods.  This one comes in dark earth color and for size comparison, can hold two flats or 20 boxes of 12-gauge target loads.  Of course, the crates are not limited to shotshells, as boxes of rifle and pistol ammo fit equally well, and makes organization a snap.

Next comes a bigger brother: MTM’s ACR7 has 890 cubic inches of interior space and measures 17.2″ x 10.7″ x 9.2”(H) at the exterior and  12.4″ x 8.4″ x 8.5″(H) on the interior.  With those dimensions, it’s easy to reach the 65 pounds rating in ammo and gear.  This one is tall enough to have two layers of shotshell boxes or to stand boxes of rifle ammo on end.

I’m a big fan of this size given how many boxes of rifle and pistol ammo you can fit, all with their identifying label up and easy to select. Given this crate’s taller stance resembling an army green mini-footlocker, I’ve found the ACR7 to be a nice option as a scent-box for hunting clothing and gear. I can easily fit lightweight outerwear, pants, shirt, hat and gloves in there with room for accessories.  The ACR7 is readily available with an MSRP of only $19.95 and holds plenty of ammo and gear for the price.

Last in the current lineup is the ACR8, a dark earth monster box capable of holding 85 pounds. Large exterior dimensions of 19” x 15.75” x 8”(H) and an interior of 14” x 13.5” x 7.25”(H) mean you can load this thing up with so much ammo that you’ll easily exceed the weight limit.  That said, the crate may be harder to move around, but even loaded to 100+ pounds, my crate held up just fine.  These things are surprisingly well built for molded plastic.  Imagination is the limit as to what you can store in this one: more ammo, tools, upright cans of powder, hunting gear, you name it.

Benefits

The varying sizes of crates fit just about any size of factory ammunition box from shotgun to rifles and everything in between.  Naturally, reload boxes also fit just as readily, and of course an Ammo Crate full of MTM shell boxes would set the company’s social media pages abuzz.  Whether you organize by caliber, brand, or color, the Ammo Crates turn a mess of individual boxes or awkward mismatched cans into a tidy stack.

Ammo Crate latch locking holes and stacking groove detail on army green can. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)

Though marketed as ammo storage, these crates are equally ideal for survival gear, camping, hunting, first aid, or even a boater’s dry box.  Just for kicks, we filled a large utility sink and submerged an ammo crate with water-safe items.  Though I wouldn’t advise it, and the company specifically notes not to submerge, the can did not bubble/leak until it was manipulated by pushing and flexing the sides.  While I wouldn’t purposely store them underwater, I’d feel pretty good about them if, say, the basement temporarily flooded.

MTM Case-Gard is a proud American ,family owned and operated outfit with excellent customer service.  While all products are guaranteed for at least five years, I can’t imagine needing any warranty work.

Get your Ammo Crates

While it may be unnatural in daily life to get so enthused about ammo storage, I think our more OCD shooter-reloader-readers will understand.  MTM has innovated one of the neatest, safest ways to stack and store ammunition. The full lineup of cans is available online at retails like Midway USA from $16.99-$21.99, and at that price, it will be hard to ever buy a standard ammo can again.