Home Forums Reloading Handgun Reloading MTM ammo box?

What are you guys using to store you reloads? I'm looking at the MTM ammo boxes for 9mm and 223remm. Can't decide between the 50 round or 100 round box. Do you go for 50 round or 100 round box? How did you decide? Pros/con of each? I'd be looking to store those ammo boxes in 50cal ammo plastic cans. Thanks for your feedback!

Pistol rounds I just put 100 in a baggie with a load data card and put em in 50 cal ammo boxes. Rifle I usually just load up what I need 50 at a pop and put them in a 50 round plastic ammo box. Have a few thousand factory rounds for the AR’s so that’s a moot point. Always thought the 100 round boxes were inconvenient.

I am not a fan of the MTM boxes, I like a box with a working hinge like the Berry's instead of just plastic flexing.

Boogan1, I'll take a look at Berry's. What do you prefer? the 50 round or 100 round boxes?

Yep. I use a gallon freezer bag to fill a 30cal ammo can. Quart size for smaller specialty loads.
I have a bunch of MTM boxes from long ago before I got smart.

I collect discarded cardboard ammo boxes at the shooting range that I frequent. I blackout the manufacturer's markings and stick a label on it identifying the caliber, weight & style of bullet, and the weight & type of powder loaded. Also keep and wash out plastic peanut butter, mayonaise, etc. jars and use them. Hey, I'm cheap. When I do buy plastic ammo boxes, I have found the 50 round boxes are much easier to work with. Clean plastic jars are also really good for storing bulk bullets in. I put one label on the jar to identify the bullet and another to keep up with the count in the jar. That way I do not have to guess at how many bullets I have on hand.

I have been picking up some new ammo storage containers recently. Sportsmans sells some smaller sized plastic ammo cans. They hold a bit better than 800 rds of 9mm.

Also available online are multiple tray ammo containers. Check the old reloading supply outfits. Midway, Graf's, Natchez, etc.

This one comes with 3, 4, or 5 compartments.


There are a lot of new options available for storage.

I used to use the MTM 100rd boxes for pistol ammo (the kind with the real hinge, not the folded piece of plastic), but they take up too much space for how much ammo they hold. Then I started using large metal ammo cans, but I decided they were too heavy when full. I've finally settled on some quart size plastic containers from Stuff Mart. Cheap, strong, and just the right size. They have fold up lever handle things that keep the lid on tight. Here's a link: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-1-2-Qt-Modular-Latch-Box-Clear-Case-of-6/55413805

My favorite for 9mm is a mini ammo can by MTM. On sale, they can be had for about $6 ea. Here's a link: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1020688283 . I like that they hold 700 rds of 9mm and are stackable. That's about 17 lbs worth of ammo per container. Handy, but not so small as to be useless. I don't take them to the range. Instead I pour out a few hundred rounds into an empty Berry's bullet box. Those are pretty handy for a trip to the range. About the only time I take the 50 or 100 rd ammo boxes to the range anymore is when I want to count the number of rounds fired. The box does the math for me.

Good luck in your search!

Thanks, Wade! That was very helpful!

MTM all the way, stay away from Dillon and midway. I always put the emptys back in the box.

I have used MTM in 50 round as well as 100 round and kinda prefer the handier 50 round box . I like the slip on lid better than the flip lid . For rifle stuff I use the 50 round boxes for storage and the 20 round slip top boxes for carrying to the woods .

I use a lot of MTM 50 round boxes with the actual hinge. They work fine for the price. Have a bunch of the 9mm size a lot because they are perfect for 32 S&W Long loaded with 115gr flat noses. The 100 rounders are a bit unwieldy to me, but that's just personal preference.

The MTM and Berrys hinged lid 50 round boxes have both worked fine in 223 size for holding .222 Rem and 300 Blackout.

I use MTM, Franklin, Berry's, Cabela's, etc.

100 round storage/handloading. 50 round for the field/range.

For large bore handgun - P64-50...64 rounds.

Bags, boxes, pockets, pouches, saddle bags, pack pockets and clothing pockets, ammo belts.

Old M19A1 and M2A1 cans.

PA-108 cans.

100 round in 223 and for most pistol ammo. The reason is they don't take up a lot of space. Now if you are wanting MTM boxes for standard hunting cartridges like 30-06 or 338wm, use the 50 round boxes.

I have a some 100 round boxes but I think 50’s are more practical and easier to fit into a range ammo bag.

MTM's for rifle loads........hate em for pistol loads

keep pistol loads in re usable lunch meat containers---usually 300+ each

Bring empties back home in a similar butter container/bucket etc

For volume stuff, like my PD rounds, in zip lock bags. For smaller quantity stuff in various flip top 50 and 100 count boxes.

lately I have been just dumping them loose is the plastic 30 cal. ammo cans from Harbor Freight

I would hate to think of all the MTM boxes I have bought since 1975 when I first started shooting. I have never had a box break a hinge ever. Think I still have those first boxes in the pile somewhere.
Nowadays I bulk load all my target rounds and store it all in MTM ammo cans. You know how heavy them suckers can get??