Primer and powder storage question?

GJJ · April 13, 2007, 01:11 PM

Can anyone give me some advise regarding storage of powder and primers. Common sense tells me to store them physically apart from each other and in a dry location.

Is there anything else I should know?

rwilson452 · April 13, 2007, 01:23 PM

If you store them in a cool dry place they will last longer than you do. IF a cool place is not available a temperature stable place is you next best bet. Store powder in the container you bought it in, keep the lid properly sealed. Keep primers in the container they came in and they will be safe. Black powder is explosive smokeless powder is not.

T. O'Heir · April 13, 2007, 01:24 PM

Dry location yes, separate isn't so important. Neither will jump off the shelf and explode. Smokeless powder doesn't explode and primers need to be hit to go off. If you have a shelf near or above your bench, that'll do nicely.

K96771 · April 13, 2007, 04:00 PM

Being somewhat paranoid, I play it safe and follow the above rules, but keep them in separate corners of the room.

swmike · April 13, 2007, 08:54 PM

If you live in a real hot climate, store them in the refrigerator (the one in the garage) with the beer.

T. O'Heir · April 13, 2007, 11:10 PM

"...in the garage) with the beer..." Why would you keep the beer in the garage? My beer fridge is in the kitchen next to the coffee fridge.

JDG · April 14, 2007, 08:58 AM

The last issue of Guns & Ammo, has us storing powder in one end of the house, and primers at the opposite.

As others have said as long as the powder is sealed up, in the original container, youll be fine. My step Dad gave me a pound of W231, that is at least 20yrs old, it was stored in his damp basement, and it shoots great.

swmike · April 14, 2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Why would you keep the beer in the garage?

It would be right next to my reloading bench and easier to grab one when heading back into the house at the end of a session.

James K · April 14, 2007, 06:43 PM

"Smokeless powder doesn't explode" is not really true. It won't explode in the normal containers in which it is sold, since the can will blow apart long before enough pressure builds up to be explosive. But in larger quantities, the mass of the powder itself can cause enough pressure to result in an explosion.

Also, powder stored in, say a steel safe, could, if somehow ignited, cause the safe to act like a bomb and the result would be a real explosion.

So a loud second to the advice to store powder in the original containers, on an open shelf, separated from each other by partitions of at least 3/4" wood.

Store primers in the original containers in a separate area.

Cool and dry is the best environment.

Jim

Friiguy · April 14, 2007, 08:52 PM

So storing them in the fire resistant (1200 degrees for 45 minutes) is not a good idea?

April 13, 2007, 01:11 PM	#1
GJJ Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2006 Posts: 164	Primer and powder storage question? Can anyone give me some advise regarding storage of powder and primers. Common sense tells me to store them physically apart from each other and in a dry location. Is there anything else I should know?

April 13, 2007, 04:00 PM	#4
K96771 Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2006 Location: NJ Pinelands Posts: 120	Being somewhat paranoid, I play it safe and follow the above rules, but keep them in separate corners of the room. __________________ Tom

April 13, 2007, 08:54 PM	#5
swmike Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 670	If you live in a real hot climate, store them in the refrigerator (the one in the garage) with the beer. __________________ My definition of Gun Control--- A steady grip and hitting your target. "In God we trust, all others are suspects." "If I shoot all the ammo I am carrying, either I won't need any more, or more won't be of any help". ____________________________________________

April 14, 2007, 08:52 PM	#10
Friiguy Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2006 Posts: 107	So storing them in the fire resistant (1200 degrees for 45 minutes) is not a good idea? __________________ -----------------------------------------------

April 13, 2007, 01:23 PM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	If you store them in a cool dry place they will last longer than you do. IF a cool place is not available a temperature stable place is you next best bet. Store powder in the container you bought it in, keep the lid properly sealed. Keep primers in the container they came in and they will be safe. Black powder is explosive smokeless powder is not.

April 13, 2007, 01:24 PM	#3
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Dry location yes, separate isn't so important. Neither will jump off the shelf and explode. Smokeless powder doesn't explode and primers need to be hit to go off. If you have a shelf near or above your bench, that'll do nicely.

April 13, 2007, 11:10 PM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...in the garage) with the beer..." Why would you keep the beer in the garage? My beer fridge is in the kitchen next to the coffee fridge.

April 14, 2007, 08:58 AM	#7
JDG Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: West Michigan Posts: 673	The last issue of Guns & Ammo, has us storing powder in one end of the house, and primers at the opposite. As others have said as long as the powder is sealed up, in the original container, youll be fine. My step Dad gave me a pound of W231, that is at least 20yrs old, it was stored in his damp basement, and it shoots great.

April 14, 2007, 06:43 PM	#9
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	"Smokeless powder doesn't explode" is not really true. It won't explode in the normal containers in which it is sold, since the can will blow apart long before enough pressure builds up to be explosive. But in larger quantities, the mass of the powder itself can cause enough pressure to result in an explosion. Also, powder stored in, say a steel safe, could, if somehow ignited, cause the safe to act like a bomb and the result would be a real explosion. So a loud second to the advice to store powder in the original containers, on an open shelf, separated from each other by partitions of at least 3/4" wood. Store primers in the original containers in a separate area. Cool and dry is the best environment. Jim