Ammo Can Dimensions: .30 Cal, .50 Cal, Fat 50 & More Sizes

Standard sizes include the .30 cal (M19A1), .50 cal (M2A1/M2A2), Fat 50 (PA-108), 40mm (M116A2), 20mm (M548), and larger 81mm/120mm mortar cans

We pulled specs straight from military surplus data and cross-checked them against retailer listings, so every number here is grounded in fact, not guesswork.

Ammo Can Dimensions Chart

Ammo Can Sizes Explained

Each ammo can size was built for a specific job in the field. Knowing the backstory helps you pick the right one for civilian use too.

.30 Cal Ammo Can Dimensions (M19A1)

The .30 cal ammo can measures 11.75″ × 3.75″ × 7″ outside, with an interior of 10″ × 3.5″ × 6.5″. It weighs just 3.7 lbs empty.

That narrow 3.75-inch width is its calling card. It’s slim enough to slide under a truck seat, tuck into a range bag, or stack three-deep on a shelf without eating up floor space.

.50 Cal Ammo Can Dimensions (M2A1 and M2A2)

The .50 cal ammo can is the most recognizable size in the country. Exterior specs run 11.75″ × 6″ × 7.5″, with 11″ × 5.5″ × 7″ of usable interior room. Empty weight sits at 5.2 lbs.

The M2A2 is a slightly newer version of the same can. The body dimensions are identical — the only change is a reinforced latch bracket that keeps the rubber gasket from crushing under stacked weight. If you’re comparing an M2A1 vs M2A2, size isn’t the deciding factor; seal durability is.

Fat 50 Ammo Can Dimensions (PA-108)

The Fat 50, sometimes called a SAW can, widens things out to 12″ × 7.25″ × 8.5″ exterior. That extra bulk isn’t wasted — it adds roughly 25–30% more interior volume than a standard .50 cal can.

This size was built to carry linked belt ammunition, which doesn’t pack neatly into a narrower box. Shooters now use it for camp kitchens, bulky electronics, and gear that just won’t fit anywhere else.

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40mm Ammo Can Dimensions (M116A2)

The 40mm ammo can stretches to 18.25″ long, while staying a modest 6″ wide and 9.75″ tall. Interior length reaches 17.25 inches — longer than almost any other standard can.

That length-to-width ratio makes it the go-to choice for long, narrow items: rifle cleaning kits, tow straps, or rolled tools.

20mm Ammo Can Dimensions (M548)

The 20mm ammo can is the heavyweight of the standard lineup. It measures 18.75″ × 8.5″ × 14.5″ outside and tips the scale at nearly 20 lbs even before you load anything in.

Two side handles make it carryable despite the bulk, but this size is built for stationary bulk storage, not daily transport.

81mm and 120mm Mortar Ammo Can Dimensions

These are the sizes most ammo can dimensions guides skip entirely. The 81mm can (PA-156) runs long and narrow, while the 120mm mortar can (PA-154) stretches up to 32 inches, built to swallow a broken-down shotgun, rifle, or a pair of fishing rods whole.

Weight climbs to 17–22.5 lbs empty, so these are shelf or vault pieces, not grab-and-go containers.

Exterior vs Interior Ammo Can Dimensions

Here’s something most buyers overlook: exterior dimensions and interior dimensions are never the same number.

Why is there a gap between exterior and interior ammo can dimensions? Steel wall thickness, the hinge recess, and the rubber gasket all eat into usable space. That gap typically runs 0.5 to 0.9 inches per side.

A .50 cal can looks like it offers 11.75 inches of length. In reality, you’re working with 11 inches once the gasket seat and wall are accounted for. That half-inch matters when you’re cutting foam inserts or building a custom organizer.

Internal volume by can type, in cubic inches:

If you’re building foam cutouts, always measure the interior dimensions directly with a tape measure rather than trusting the exterior spec sheet — manufacturing tolerances between military surplus and commercial reproductions can shift things by a fraction of an inch.

Ammo Can Dimensions vs Other Storage Options

Steel ammo cans aren’t the only game in town, and knowing how they stack up helps you decide when to reach for something else.

MTM plastic ammo boxes run similar external sizes to steel cans but weigh far less — often under 2 lbs empty. They trade steel’s rigidity and weatherproofing for lighter carry, which matters for hikers and campers more than for long-term storage.

Pelican-style hard cases dwarf even a 20mm ammo can in interior volume but cost significantly more and don’t stack the same way military cans do. For pure dollar-per-cubic-inch value, a surplus .50 cal can still wins.

In metric terms, a standard .50 cal ammo can works out to roughly 30 cm long, 15 cm wide, and 19 cm tall — handy to know if you’re comparing against European ammo containers or shipping specs.

One thing worth knowing: airlines and shipping carriers often have size and weight caps for checked containers holding firearms-related gear. A loaded 20mm can at 50+ lbs can blow past standard baggage weight limits, so weigh it before you travel.

FAQs — Ammo Can Dimensions

What are the sizes of ammo cans?

Standard sizes include the .30 cal (M19A1), .50 cal (M2A1/M2A2), Fat 50 (PA-108), 40mm (M116A2), 20mm (M548), and larger 81mm/120mm mortar cans. Each has a different exterior and interior footprint suited to a specific ammo type or gear load.

What are the dimensions of a 20mm ammo can?

A 20mm ammo can (M548) measures about 18.75″ × 8.5″ × 14.5″ on the outside, with roughly 17.25″ × 7.5″ × 14″ of interior space. Empty, it weighs close to 19.8 lbs.

What are the dimensions of an ammo tin?

“Ammo tin” usually refers to the same steel ammo cans discussed here — most commonly the .30 cal or .50 cal size. A .30 cal tin runs 11.75″ × 3.75″ × 7″, while a .50 cal tin measures 11.75″ × 6″ × 7.5″.

How tall is a standard ammo can?

The standard .50 cal ammo can stands 7.5 inches tall on the outside. The .30 cal can is slightly shorter at 7 inches, while larger sizes like the 20mm can reach 14.5 inches tall.

What are the dimensions of a 40mm ammo can?

A 40mm ammo can (M116A2) measures 18.25″ × 6″ × 9.75″ exterior, with an interior of about 17.25″ × 5.5″ × 9.5″. It weighs around 14 lbs empty.

What is the largest size ammo can?

Among standard military cans, the 20mm (M548) is the largest by volume at roughly 18.75″ × 8.5″ × 14.5″. Specialty mortar cans like the 120mm (PA-154) are longer overall — up to 32 inches — but narrower in width and height.