An ammo crate is steel-and-rubber-gasket storage built to keep contents dry in a trench, so it does the same job in a shed or workshop without breaking a sweat. This guide covers what to check before you buy one from MilitaryMart and which sizes actually earn their shelf space.
- Brand New 50 Cal Ammo Tin at £15 is the safest ammo crate buy for shed and workshop storage in 2026 - buy it.
- Genuine US/Italian 50 Cal Ammo Tin, Grade A, matches the new tin on seal quality for the same £15 - buy it if new stock is out.
- Wooden ammo crates look good on a shelf but swell and split in a damp shed - skip them for anything you actually need dry.
- PA156 and L17A1 metal ammo boxes suit oversized tools and cable reels at £20-£25 - consider one if the standard 50 cal tin is too small.
Why this matters
Most plastic storage boxes from a DIY shed crack in a cold winter or warp when a workshop gets damp. A genuine military ammo crate was built to MOD spec to survive being dropped from a truck, so it outlasts anything sold as "heavy duty" on the high street.
The catch is that not every ammo crate on the market is genuine issue, and not every genuine one is graded the same. Get that wrong and you've bought a rusty tin with a perished seal for the price of a decent toolbox.
Who this is for
This is for anyone who wants dry, stackable, theft-resistant storage in a shed, garage or workshop: tool hoarders, allotment growers keeping seed and feed dry, van-lifers who need a box that survives being thrown around, and anyone tired of plastic crates that crack after one winter outside.
It's not aimed at collectors chasing a specific NSN or a particular year of manufacture - if that's you, treat grading and origin as the whole decision, not just one criterion among several.
What to look for in an ammo crate for home, shed and workshop storage
Steel gauge and build quality
A genuine ammo tin is pressed from a single sheet of steel thick enough to resist denting when it's stacked three high with tools on top. Cheap decorative repros are often lighter gauge steel finished to look aged, and they dent the first time you drop a hammer on the lid.
Seal and weatherproofing
The rubber gasket around the lid is what makes an ammo crate worth the money over a plain metal box. If the seal doesn't spring back after you squeeze it, it won't keep water out, and a crate without that seal is just a metal box with delusions of grandeur.
Size versus what you're storing
A standard 50 cal tin is roughly big enough for hand tools, fixings, first aid kit or a stash of seed packets. If you're storing power tool batteries, cable reels or larger workshop gear, step up to a medium calibre box like the L17A1 or a mortar box like the PA156 rather than forcing the lid on a tin that's too small.
Genuine issue vs replica or repro
Genuine military ammo tins carry manufacturer stamps, NSN codes or MOD drawing numbers stamped into the metal. Decorative repros sold as "vintage style" rarely carry any of that, and they're built for looks, not for sitting in a shed through a British winter.
Latch and carry handles
A working latch with a proper cam action seals the lid tight against the gasket - a stiff or bent latch means the seal never fully closes even if the rubber itself is fine. Solid carry handles matter too if the crate is going to move between shed, car boot and workshop bench regularly.
Grading and condition
MilitaryMart grades stock as brand new, used Grade A, or NOS (new old stock), and the grade should match the price you're paying. A used Grade A tin with light surface marks and a sound seal is genuinely better value than a "mint" repro with no service history at all.
Top picks for 2026
The safe pick: Brand New 50 Cal Ammo Tin - genuine military-issued, unused, £15. This is the tin to buy if you want zero guesswork on seal condition or grading. Verdict: Buy.
The value pick: Genuine US / Italian Military 50 Cal Ammo Tin, Grade A - same seal, same steel, graded used, same £15. If new stock is sold out, this is the one to grab instead. Verdict: Buy.
The oversized option: PA156 Large Metal Mortar Ammo Box - built to MILSPEC, £20, designed for kit bigger than a 50 cal tin can hold. Good for power tools or a full first aid kit rather than loose fixings. Verdict: Consider.
The mid-size compromise: L17A1 Medium Calibre Ammo Box - manufactured to MOD Drawing No. SV575A, £25, sits between the 50 cal tin and the mortar box on capacity. Worth it if neither extreme fits your shelf. Verdict: Consider.
The wildcard: wooden ammo crates (AK101, RG42 pattern) - rope handles, latch closure, a genuinely good look on a shelf indoors. Left outside or in a damp shed, timber swells and the latch stops sitting flush, so the box that looked charming in the listing photo won't keep water off your tools. Verdict: Skip for shed or workshop storage - fine for a dry spare room.
What to avoid
- Decorative repro tins with painted-on "aged" finish - no NSN stamp, no MOD marking, and usually a rubber seal that's moulded but never actually compresses.
- "Vintage" wooden crates sold on condition alone - a crate described only as "rustic" with no mention of the latch or joints is being sold on nostalgia, not function.
- Undersized tins for oversized jobs - forcing a 50 cal lid shut on gear it wasn't built for stresses the latch and breaks the seal within a season.
Ammo crate comparison at a glance
| Pick | Grade | Seal | Best for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand New 50 Cal Ammo Tin | New | Rubber gasket, tight | Tools, fixings, first aid | Buy |
| 50 Cal Ammo Tin, Grade A | Used | Rubber gasket, sound | Same as above, lower cost route | Buy |
| PA156 Mortar Ammo Box | New | MILSPEC seal | Bulkier kit, power tools | Consider |
| L17A1 Medium Calibre Box | New | MOD-spec seal | Mid-size storage | Consider |
| Wooden ammo crate (AK101/RG42) | Grade A | None (rope/latch only) | Dry indoor shelving only | Skip for damp storage |
Related read: for tools and cable reels that outgrow a 50 cal tin, the best ammo boxes for tool and workshop storage guide covers sizing in more depth.
FAQ
What's the best ammo crate for garden or allotment storage?
A genuine 50 cal ammo tin with an intact rubber seal is the best ammo crate for garden storage - it keeps seed, feed and hand tools dry through a UK winter. Wooden crates are cheaper but shouldn't sit outside long-term.
Is a 50 cal ammo tin actually waterproof?
Yes, when the rubber gasket around the lid is intact and the latch closes fully, a genuine 50 cal ammo tin keeps water out. A worn or missing seal, common on undergraded repros, means the tin will let damp in.
What's the difference between an ammo tin and an ammo box?
An ammo tin usually refers to the smaller pressed-steel 50 cal size, while ammo box covers larger MILSPEC containers like the PA156 or L17A1. Both use the same rubber-gasket sealing principle, just at different capacities.
How much does a genuine military ammo crate cost in 2026?
A genuine 50 cal ammo tin runs around £15 in 2026, with medium calibre boxes like the L17A1 at £25 and larger mortar boxes at £20-plus. Wooden pattern crates sit around £20 but lack a weatherproof seal.
Can you use an ammo crate for tool storage?
Yes, ammo crates are a common choice for tool storage because the steel construction resists dents and the sealed lid keeps rust-causing damp away from metal tools. Size the crate to your largest tool before buying.
Are wooden ammo crates as durable as steel ones for outdoor storage?
No, wooden ammo crates aren't as durable outdoors - timber swells and joints loosen with damp exposure, while steel tins with a rubber seal stay sound. Reserve wooden crates for dry indoor use.
What size ammo tin do I need for workshop storage?
A standard 50 cal tin suits hand tools and fixings, but power tool batteries or cable reels need a medium calibre box like the L17A1. Measure your largest item before choosing size.
Is buying a used Grade A ammo crate a safe bet?
Yes, a used Grade A ammo crate from a graded seller is generally sound - it means light service wear but a working seal and latch. Always check the grading description matches the price before buying.
One last thing
The steel gauge on a genuine 50 cal tin is thick enough that it's been used as a workshop anvil substitute for light jobs - not something you'll find written on the listing, but ask anyone who's owned one for a decade. That's the real test of an ammo crate: it's still doing the job long after a plastic box would have cracked.
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