The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 12, 2010, 03:34 PM   #1
FullCry
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2010
Posts: 155
humidity and reloading?

I realize that if powder, primers or casings are wet inside that they won't shoot. What about humidity? I have an outside shop where I reload and it is as humid in there as the outside air just about. We've been getting a lot of rain for the last five days and I was wondering if this could affect my loads. Thanks for any replies, FullCry
FullCry is offline  
Old March 12, 2010, 03:46 PM   #2
Unclenick
Staff
 
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,013
Benchresters claim it makes the powder heavier, so you end up weighing out less than you would if it were dry. Primers may be deteriorated by moisture over a long enough time.

Most of the guys I know in your position keep the powder and primers and powder measure in the house, taking out only what they need when they need it. Brief exposure to humidity should have no lasting effect, as long as it isn't outright submersion.
__________________
Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member
CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor
NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle
Unclenick is offline  
Old March 12, 2010, 04:00 PM   #3
oneounceload
Junior member
 
Join Date: April 18, 2008
Location: N. Central Florida
Posts: 8,518
Living here in dry:barf: FL where the humidity the last few days was at 100%, I leave my supplies inside until I load. On days like we've had, I don't. As mentioned, powder can absorb moisture making it denser and heavier than when dry; besides my garage is no place to be when it's like that
oneounceload is offline  
Old March 12, 2010, 05:04 PM   #4
FullCry
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2010
Posts: 155
Thanks fellas, that's what I've been doing and hoping it was ok. I keep primers and powder in the house in different rooms and up high on a shelf even though I have no kids in the house out of habit because I raised two children and hope to have grand kids in the future. Thanks again, FullCry
FullCry is offline  
Old March 12, 2010, 05:37 PM   #5
riverwalker76
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 13, 2010
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 993
I keep my primers in a dry box. A cheap alternative would be a military surplus ammo can. Before you buy it just open it up, and if it has that 'funny / stale' smell in there then it is working! There is a seal that runs around the lid. Just get a small bead of vaselene and run it along that rubber seal.

Your powder and primers should never get wet or damp if you keep them in a dry box or ammo can that seals properly.
riverwalker76 is offline  
Old March 12, 2010, 09:46 PM   #6
brmfan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 21, 2008
Posts: 557
I keep my primers and match powder (same lot #) in the house in sealed plastic bins with a big tub of dessicant year round (you can get it at Wally World). I also load the powder in the house, but go out to the shed to seat the bullets in winter/ fall. In the summer I bring in the press (I use a portable stand) because I kept getting condensation on and inside the cases.

I have pulled bullets from loaded rounds and after dumping the powder I noticed several times that Varget gets real lumpy after being exposed to humidity.
brmfan is offline  
Old March 12, 2010, 10:08 PM   #7
Bamashooter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 12, 2010
Posts: 1,860
My reloading bench is in the basement and its always humid down there. I take my primers and powder to the bench only when i need it.
Bamashooter is offline  
Old March 12, 2010, 10:22 PM   #8
TXGunNut
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 16, 2010
Location: If you have to ask...
Posts: 2,860
+1 riverwalker. I found the big ammo cans are perfect for storing thousands of primers for years at a time. Powder seems to do fine in the factory containers but I keep them in a climate controlled room and keep the cap on unless I'm actually pouring it in or out.
__________________
Life Member NRA, TSRA
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove
My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.
TXGunNut is offline  
Old March 13, 2010, 12:28 AM   #9
FullCry
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 7, 2010
Posts: 155
Hey, Bama shooter where are you? I'm in Auburn Al.
FullCry is offline  
Old March 13, 2010, 12:43 AM   #10
Bamashooter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 12, 2010
Posts: 1,860
Hey fullcry... Im in cullman.. Are you in school?
Bamashooter is offline  
Old March 13, 2010, 01:07 AM   #11
Shoney
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 21, 2002
Location: Transplanted from Montana
Posts: 2,311
Humidity can be a double edged sword (pardon the expression). Everyone has talked about high humidity, but low humidity, especially in the winter, can cause problems with static electricity.

No! It will not ignite powder, but it can cause powders to "stick" in powder measures. This is a real problem with flake powders, when you load progressively with high static, it is a PITA.

The problem can be solved eassily by wiping your equipment down with a wet towel. Some people use the dryer sheets, and thats OK. I can't stand the odor.
__________________
I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111
Shoney is offline  
Old March 13, 2010, 02:46 PM   #12
saands
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 14, 1999
Posts: 1,573
Shoney: If you look carefully, you CAN find unscented dryer sheets! For my $4, they work so well, that I wouldn't think about reloading without them! The added benefit is that our clothes don't smell like dryer sheets either ... WHAT is Proctor and Gamble thinking when they add all that perfume, anyway? :barf:

I don't think that I've ever used that smiley before, but it seems quite applicable here

Saands
saands is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:27 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.05804 seconds with 10 queries