Abstract: A welding wire packaging container of mono-cylinder pail type accommodating a welding wire winding which includes of a multitude of layers of looped wire portions having diameters smaller than the inside diameter of the container and centrally having a cavity of substantially cylindrical form. The container includes a retaining member placed on overlying layers of wire loops and adapted to be lowered by gravity as the wire is withdrawn from the container, the retaining member being centrally formed with a circular wire guide hole to permit wire withdrawal therethrough, and resilient members mounted at least two spaced positions around the outer periphery of the retaining member for contact with the inner wall surface of the container, the guide hole in the retaining member being located in vertically spaced relation with an upper lid of the container.