Mike in Oregon
Gold $$ Contributor
DM me on details with Skippy trip...Since getting serious about rat shooting in 1968, I started using Mil-Spec military cans and plastic ammo boxes (MTM at the time). Around 1980 or thereabouts, I've found what I consider the ideal system for field use using multiple rifles in multiple calibers.
To me, Berry's boxes are the hot setup. When open the hinged top lays flat on the bench for easy removal/replacement of the fired case. Optional colors for different calibers if wanted, secure snap closure, models for about every caliber. I gave up on MTM long ago with their silly molded-in hinge that never laid flat when open; frustrating when in a hot rat patch.
All my field ammo is stored in these Berry's boxes, four 100 rnd boxes to each mil .50 cal can. I usually take one can of 400 rounds for each rifle I take to the rat patch, sometimes two cans for 800 rnds if I stay a week or longer at one of the ranches I shoot.
Simple label on each box shows all needed info:
Each .50 cal or .30 cal can gets a label showing caliber/rifle for easy reference. I have four stacks of ammo cans in the gun room and can easily pick out what's needed for any field trip.
There are many options, but after just shy of 60 years of big game, rockchuck, sage rat and pd shooting, this system has proven to me that it works. As the cans are mil-spec, they are air and water tight. In Vietnam I was convinced that when I got back to The World, these cans would be my choice for ammo storage and transport. So far, no regrets. I just returned from a ten day rat shoot, all went well, rats flew, all my ammo went bang and was dry and ready for duty when I go to the outback....just like always.
As for the "rattle factor", foam works on top of the loaded ammo if wanted, but as all my ammo is in the back of the truck, I can't hear any rattle, so it's not an issue for me.












