RE: Container Thoughts. . . .

As many of you know I'm an avid ammo box enthusiast when it comes to placing caches. However, sometimes there are times (and I may have a cache that is one of these "times") when you have a great place for a hide, but an ammo box won't quite fit.

I know there's been a lot of debate on good and bad containers so I won't start yet another thread on this topic. However, I would like to know folks feelings on Naglene bottles (good, bad, etc.) vs. the Lock N Locks (good, bad, etc.) or is there another option. I'm looking for something just a bit smaller than an ammo box, rugged, water-proof, etc.

I think the Nalgene bottle would probably be the better container but then you have the problem with making sure the container will always open easily. Sometimes those screw on lids are quite hard to open ,especially in colder weather. On the other hand Lock n Locks are quite easy to open but a lot of people tend not to close them properly so there you have a possible open container. Six of one half a dozen of another. Try them both and see what suits better I guess.

PVC pipe is another option. They are easy to customize length and diameter. But once again a fail safe lid system is hard to find. The screw on plugs really don't seal well without pipe dope and a wrench, and the rubber ones need a screwdriver for the hose clamp.

The Decon container like I used on Old 470 are cheap and seals decent, but I would not dare use them where any direct moisture would contact it.

I've yet to see ones used as a cache, and not sure how they hold up, but small drybags like rafters and kayakers use can be not too expensive. I am sure someone has used these for caches before, my biggest concern is how well they would hold up to extreme cold. They also make similar hard cases, but they generally cost a lot more.

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Originally Posted by brdad

I've yet to see ones used as a cache, and not sure how they hold up, but small drybags like rafters and kayakers use can be not too expensive. I am sure someone has used these for caches before, my biggest concern is how well they would hold up to extreme cold. They also make similar hard cases, but they generally cost a lot more.

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I use a drybag on my kayak and they do a good job of keeping out the water, but if you've never used one before, I can see them getting closed incorrectly. Also, 1 log pen in the wrong spot when you roll it up and it's not waterproof anymore. I don't have any experience with them in cold weather.
On the upside, they can hold a lot of swag and are less threatening to law enforcement (you can see the contents without touching the container)

Nalagene bottles are ok but people tend cram so much stuff in them that its near impossible to get them out. They are tough and water tight.:)

Try a dive shop they have bags you can put two way radios in and use them under water. http://www.diversdirect.com i get stuff from here.

http://www.diversdirect.com/scripts/...hinput=dry+bag

go to home depot and browse the outdoor electrical... they have lots of nifty stuff there... i can't go too in detail because i have a future cache planned with some of that stuff.... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

The cache container is only part of keeping water out. Often, the camo can be used to completely protect the container. Conversely, bad camo is one reason "Tupperware" gets such a bad name. Leaves are the worst camo because they collect water. If water is allowed to stay in contact with the cache, and the container gets warm and cools off, the water will get sucked in. Sticks are not much better for camo. If you want to really protect a marginal container, place it inside or under something. Bark is real good, if it is a bigger than the container. Keep in mind, the camo must be very easy for the finder to understand. Otherwise, it will not be replaced properly.

If I get some time, I might try to make a bookmark list of "best non-ammo containers”

My hides include: a watertight box from a kayak shop, a dry bag, a Tupperware, two plastic screw top, and one ammo box. They are all dry.

I like ammo cans but can't seem to find them very often. Anyone have a local supplier?

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Originally Posted by LaughingTerry

I like ammo cans but can't seem to find them very often. Anyone have a local supplier?

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Maine Military Surplus in Newport and Bangor have them usually. I like the Brewer one better, but they are not cheap there, $7 for a .50 cal I think. Mardens often has them as well, and cheaper. I was at the one in Ellsworth last week and they had a bunch of the smaller ".30 cal" boxes and a size a little larger than the ".50 cal" boxes. I think they were $3 and $5, respectively.

http://www.bytethebullet.com/geocach...moprize_sm.jpg

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Originally Posted by brdad

Mardens often has them as well, and cheaper. I was at the one in Ellsworth last week and they had a bunch of the smaller ".30 cal" boxes and a size a little larger than the ".50 cal" boxes. I think they were $3 and $5, respectively.

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I haven't seen them in the Marden's in Waterville. I've looked, but I haven't wanted them enough to ask about them, however.

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Originally Posted by LaughingTerry

I like ammo cans but can't seem to find them very often. Anyone have a local supplier?

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There is also another Military surplus outlet in Augusta on the lower end of Western Avenue near the rotary. Their prices are about the same as Newport's, so shop around. If you want to order from an online source here is another good place. colemans.com heck, they'll sell you a 2 1/2 ton ten-wheel drive truck for $7,500.00, now that would make a dandy geobuggy wouldn't it. LOL

http://www.colemans.com :D

I've had good luck with the Aladdin wide mouth thermos--I take out the glass liner and spray paint black. As long as the finder screws the cover on, it is 100% water proof. These seem to be pretty common at lawn sales for .50 to a buck.

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Originally Posted by Hiram357

go to home depot and browse the outdoor electrical... they have lots of nifty stuff there... i can't go too in detail because i have a future cache planned with some of that stuff.... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

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Can anyone tell me why all I can picture is Hiram rigging up some cache so that it gives the geo-cacher an electrical shock when they open it? I mean, maybe it's just me, but for some reason I could picture him trying to do this. :)

I think he is making an urban cache that will look like any other local utlity.

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Originally Posted by brdad

Maine Military Surplus in Newport and Bangor have them usually. I like the Brewer one better, but they are not cheap there, $7 for a .50 cal I think. Mardens often has them as well, and cheaper. I was at the one in Ellsworth last week and they had a bunch of the smaller ".30 cal" boxes and a size a little larger than the ".50 cal" boxes. I think they were $3 and $5, respectively.

http://www.bytethebullet.com/geocach...moprize_sm.jpg

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I was at Maine Military in Brewer yesterday hoping to stock up on some ammo cans and they only had a few of the large ones -- no small ones. I was going to call today and see if they're getting an order soon or if the Newport store has any. I may have to check in with Mardens.

Update: Just got off the phone after speaking with the folks at both the Brewer and Newport Stores . . . both are cleaned out of the 7.62 mm ammo cans.

In southern Maine you can pick up ammo cans at the Army Barracks surplus store on Paine Road near the Maine Mall.
Prices are $4 for a 30 cal & $7 for a 50 cal.

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Originally Posted by Slate

In southern Maine you can pick up ammo cans at the Army Barracks surplus store on Paine Road near the Maine Mall.
Prices are $4 for a 30 cal & $7 for a 50 cal.

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Good prices! You may want to gbring a few to the next geocaching event. I'm sure many people would appreciate it. :D :D

HAHA!! no it wasn't going to shock anyone but now that you mention it i think i'll make a special FTF suprise!!

and to keep on topic, the military supply in Newport has the cheapest ammo cans around.... well had... i cleaned em out of 30cal, but they're getting more, they also have the 50cal and the really really big ones, the 30cal were only $4 and the larger ones were like $5 to $10

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Originally Posted by Hiram357

HAHA!! no it wasn't going to shock anyone but now that you mention it i think i'll make a special FTF suprise!!

and to keep on topic, the military supply in Newport has the cheapest ammo cans around.... well had... i cleaned em out of 30cal, but they're getting more, they also have the 50cal and the really really big ones, the 30cal were only $4 and the larger ones were like $5 to $10

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The guy I spoke to today on the phone at Newport said they were out and he had no idea of when they would be getting more of the smaller cans in.

haha, guess i put the hurtin's on them... the person at the store that day was an older woman that might not have known when they were actually getting more.. but she told me they come and go... in this case they went...but they do have a lot of cool stuff in there anyways.

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Originally Posted by brdad

Maine Military Surplus in Newport and Bangor have them usually. I like the Brewer one better, but they are not cheap there, $7 for a .50 cal I think. Mardens often has them as well, and cheaper. I was at the one in Ellsworth last week and they had a bunch of the smaller ".30 cal" boxes and a size a little larger than the ".50 cal" boxes. I think they were $3 and $5, respectively.

http://www.bytethebullet.com/geocach...moprize_sm.jpg

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I checked around and Marden's in Ellsworth still has the ammo boxes . . . and a steal at $1.99 for the small containers! I stocked up and bought 9 of them for future caches . . . there's still half a pallet of the smaller ammo boxes though if anyone is interested in making the trip.

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Originally Posted by firefighterjake

I checked around and Marden's in Ellsworth still has the ammo boxes . . . and a steal at $1.99 for the small containers! I stocked up and bought 9 of them for future caches . . . there's still half a pallet of the smaller ammo boxes though if anyone is interested in making the trip.

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well, i'm heading out west for a week tomorrow, they'll probably be gone by the time i get back... someone should go up there and buy em all then sell em for like $3.50 ((which is still pretty dirt cheap)to cover the cost of gas to drive up there!)

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Originally Posted by Hiram357

well, i'm heading out west for a week tomorrow, they'll probably be gone by the time i get back... someone should go up there and buy em all then sell em for like $3.50 ((which is still pretty dirt cheap)to cover the cost of gas to drive up there!)

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I actually thought about picking up a bunch and turning around and selling them for $3, but I figured with my Irish luck I'd end up with about 50 ammo cans that no one would want and my wife would have killed me for spending the money and cluttering up the house. :)

How far out west are you going if I may be so bold to ask?

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Originally Posted by firefighterjake

I actually thought about picking up a bunch and turning around and selling them for $3, but I figured with my Irish luck I'd end up with about 50 ammo cans that no one would want and my wife would have killed me for spending the money and cluttering up the house. :)

How far out west are you going if I may be so bold to ask?

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I'm going all the way out to the scorching tropical flatlands of OHIO!!! :D:D:D