Primer storage and safety

[Lee-Enfield]

I've been trawling through the reloading threads here and have seen a few comments about the volatility of primers, how they are considered the most unstable part of a round, and the least safe item to store.

I have my cases of primers stacked up and thrown in a cupboard. Should I be storing them differently? I read someone stored there's with humidity control to eliminate the risk of static detonating their primers!

How do you store them? Do you have any advice for a relatively green reloader?

[Wulfmann]

Moderate humidity is desirable with 60% considered best.

Generally Primers are not as susceptible to humidity or static as they use to be. They now have a plastic coating that protects them well.

However, they pose the greatest ignition risk albeit considerable less than in the past.

I buy old primers 30 years and older and have never had any problem with any of them.

What you refer to is pre-WWII and older but certainly primers should be handled with care stored properly and if possible in a climate control that keeps humidity as near 60% to be ideal. However, I know people that keep them in the garage with no problems.

I would be fearful of extreme low humidity myself more than anything because of static but in Florida that is almost never a concern.

I keep most in sealed ammo cans and do not open them in less than ideal humidity to be safe as I also do with powder.

Wulfmann

[Mal H]

I fully agree with Wulfmann about the general characteristics and storage of primers, and especially the part about older production primers vs modern primers.

In general you should store them (and powder) in the same environment you would be comfortable staying in. Keep them in their original boxes and you should have no worries.

[rwilson452]

unless your in an extreme environment, as long as you store primers in their original container you should be OK.

[mrawesome22]

I keep my primers in the original container, then put them in freezer bags, push as much air out as I can, then seal them.

Would anyone advise against this?

Static cling is a big problem for me in the middle of winter here in Ohio. The air gets so dry, when you take your coat off you sound like rice crispies. Snap, crackle, pop! Sometimes the static shock hurts while removing layered clothes! Anyway, I run a small humidifier in my reloading area and it works great.

[Wulfmann]

I keep the majority of my primers in sealed ammo cans which were closed in proper humidity.
If the situation is not good humidity wise I do not open them.
That said there is usually 3-5,000 primers in user status.
However, if high humidity is coming I close up the house and keep it dry enough and in Florida extreme low humidity occurs only on rare occasions so has not been a concern but that is certainly the most dangerous situation, IMO, primers are in.
However, the coating now used on the exposed solution reduces the effect considerably but one must or should be aware of it.

Wulfmann

[Thesenator]

Primers in an ammo can is a friggin bomb waiting to happen! You couldn't put them in a worse container.

Primers should never be confined in a tightly closed hard container. They should be protected from impact, but not in an ammo can. Use a rigid cardboard box or a plastic bin if anything or a looely nailed wooden box.

The chances of a static detonation are beyond the odds of humanity. You are more likely to drop something on the box.

Sporting Ammunition Primers
Properties, Handling & Storage for Handloading

Prepared by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute based upon information currently available to it, this information is furnished to interested persons as a courtesy and in the interests of safety. It is not intended to be comprehensive; it does not modify or replace safety suggestions, standards, or regulations made by designated authorities, public or private. It is subject to revisions as additional knowledge and experience are gained. SAAMI expressly disclaims any warranty, obligation, or liability whatsoever in connection with the information contained herein or its use.

Ammunition handloading has become increasingly popular in recent years. This information summarizes information that is generally known by an experienced handloader, and provides general information to persons interested in handloading. It discusses the properties of sporting ammunition primers and offers recommendations for their safe use, handling and storage.

This information is intended only to increase the knowledge of all concerned individuals and groups regarding sporting ammunition primers. The statements made do not supersede local, state or Federal regulations. Proper authorities should be consulted on regulations for storage, transportation, and use of sporting ammunition primers in each specific community. Other information on smokeless powder and sporting ammunition are available.

Properties of Primers

Sporting ammunition primers contain carefully engineered mixtures of chemical ingredients. Primers are designed to explode and produce the heat, gas and hot particles necessary to ignite the propellant powders in sporting ammunition when the firing pin of a firearm strikes them properly.

Properties of particular importance to the dealer and user of primers are as follows:

1. Primers may explode if subjected to mishandling. Explosions may be caused by friction and by percussion, such as hammering, pounding, dropping or bullet impact. Heating by fire, static electricity, sparks, hot tobacco ashes, or other unspecified abuses may also cause primers to explode.

2. If primers are loose or in bulk, having contact one with another, one primer exploding can, and usually will, cause a violent, sympathetic explosion of all primers so situated. In other words, one primer exploding for any reason under these circumstances will normally cause all of the primers to explode in one violent blast.

3. Primers may "dust." Small particles of priming compound may separate from the primers in the form of dust, especially when they are subjected to shaking or jolting. Accumulation of this dust in primer feed tubes, loading machines, and loading areas is extremely hazardous as it might cause explosions or fires.

4. Primers exposed to water or any organic solvent, such as paint thinner, gasoline, kerosene, oil, grease, etc. may deteriorate, resulting in misfires or poor ignition.

5. Modern sporting ammunition primers will not absorb moisture under normal or even severe conditions of atmospheric humidity. There is no advantage to be gained from air-tight containers. The factory containers in which they are packaged need only normal conditions of storage. They should be kept dry and not exposed to high temperatures (in excess of 150( F). If exposed to wet conditions or high temperatures, they may deteriorate, yielding misfires or poor ignition of the propellant powder.

Handling of Primers

Primers do explode. This is the purpose for which they have been designed. They demand the respect and careful handling due any device containing explosives.

Sporting Ammunition and the Firefighter, a video produced by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, analyzes the characteristics associated with small arms ammunition when it is subjected to severe impact and fire. When a primer ignites, it causes the propellant to burn, which creates gases which, when under pressure in a firearm, send the bullet down the barrel. Pressure created by the propellant being burned is what discharges a bullet. As such, loose ammunition in a fire does not result in bullets being discharged because the propellant is not burning under pressure. The video, which has been widely circulated to fire departments, concludes that while ammunition produces a popping sound when it burns, there is no mass detonation of the ammunition, any projectiles are of low velocity, and there is no threat to firefighters in their standard turn-out gear.

Primers should never be handled, used, or stored in bulk, since primers in bulk can explode simultaneously. The placing of primers in tubes or columns, or using other bulk systems in which the explosion of any one primer may cause the explosion of all others, is a potentially hazardous condition. The manufacturers of primers do not recommend the use of primer feeds for reloading unless adequate protection from the hazard of explosion is provided. It is the responsibility of the manufacturers of primer handling systems to provide safety and protective features for their equipment. It is recommended that primers be handled individually unless adequate safeguards are provided and used.

Care must always be exercised in any handloading operation to avoid rough handling and undue force where a primer is involved, since the primer may fire. Any malfunction of equipment must be cleared with extreme caution. The decapping of shells or cases containing live primers is to be avoided.

Precautions should be taken to avoid buildup of static electricity on the person when handling primers or conducting handloading procedures. Loading equipment should be electrically grounded.

All loading equipment and adjacent areas must be kept scrupulously clean and free of primer dust and powder accumulations. Work areas and loading equipment must be cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth or sponge which should be thoroughly rinsed after each use. Fired primers, primer cups, anvils, or other bits of hard, abrasive material are a hazard during loading operation as contact with them may cause primers to fire.

Accidentally spilled primers should be picked up immediately as they may explode when stepped upon.

An absolute minimum of primers should be maintained at the loading operation. Only one packing tray at a time should be removed from the primer storage.

When a priming operation is completed, any remaining primers should be returned to the package in which they were originally contained. These packages have been specifically designed to protect primers during shipment and storage and also to protect the consumer.

Primers available to children, household pets, or persons not recognizing them as potentially hazardous, are an unnecessary risk to all concerned.

Never have an open flame, source of sparks, or hot particles in the vicinity of primers or any ammunition loading operation.

Do not smoke near primers.

Safety glasses must be worn when performing any and all handloading operations. Additional protection such as face shields or machine guards are strongly recommended.

Recommended Storage of Primers

Storage cabinets containing only primers are recommended. These cabinets should be ruggedly constructed of lumber at least 1" nominal thickness to delay or minimize the transmission of heat in the event of fire. SAAMI recommends against storing primers in sealed or pressurized containers.

Keep your storage and use area clean. Make sure the surrounding area is free of trash or other readily combustible materials.

Be sure your storage area is free from any possible sources of excessive heat and is isolated from open flame, furnaces, water heaters, etc. Do not store primers where they can be exposed to direct sunlight. Avoid storage in areas where mechanical or electrical equipment is in operation.

Do not store primers in the same area with solvents, flammable gases, or highly combustible materials. Store primers only in their original factory containers. Do not transfer the primers from this approved container into one which is not approved. The use of glass bottles, fruit jars, plastic or metal containers, or other bulk containers for primer storage is extremely hazardous.
Do not smoke in areas where primers are stored. Place appropriate "No Smoking" signs in these areas.

Do not store primers in any area where they might be exposed to gun fire, bullet impact, or ricochets.

Do not store primers with propellant powders or any other highly combustible materials so as to avoid involving primers in a fire as much as possible.

Observe all regulations regarding quantity and methods of storing primers

[Lee-Enfield]

Thank you, that's very informative.

I think my storage is ok, I keep them in their original packaging away from heat etc.

[BillCA]

The relevant part about storing in ammo cans is:

SAAMI recommends against storing primers in sealed or pressurized containers.

Old ammo cans who's latches are broken or have missing lids are fine for storage of powder or primers (in separate containers of course). The idea is to avoid allowing the buildup of pressure in a sealed container.

[Crazy4nitro]

TY,
Very Good read......I read the whole thing too.

I'm Glad to know that My Storage is safe per that article.

'Nitro

[Thesenator]

BillCA,

Any metal container, broken latches or not introduces a fragmentation hazard around primers if they ever explode en masse. Wood insulates for a period of time against an impinging flame and cardboard would disintegrate and not fly or penetrate like metal shards.

I think a polyethylene type storage bin would be a good choice if a wooden cabinet is not possible. Notice that most if not all powders now are packed in plastic jugs and containers? They fail easily at low temps to release pressure....this is a good thing.

[Crazy4nitro]

Dont you wish Everything was Made............Like Rubbermaid...

'Nitro