Storing Smokeless Powder & Primers.

[arakboss]

I mentioned in another thread about how I store my smokless powder in metal containers. These containers consist of metal filing cabinet and metal tool box drawers. @Eustace28 commented that I might not get the results I'm expecting by storing them in metal containers. Hopefully he will respond here, as to why that is and what options he feels are better.

That made me want to know what others are using to store their smokless powder and primers.

My goal for a storage container is one that will delay exposure to open flames and allow occupants of the home the maximum amount of time to evacuate before the powder starts burning.

Beyond that the individual powder containers will provide the only protection I desire from the environment.

I share the same open flame protection for primers but also would like protection from humidity. I currently store them on a shelf in a plastic container with foam seal on lid. Ideally those should have better protection from open flame.

Any ideas or methods you use and would share, will be appreciated.

Read More

 

[Nosferatu]

Amazon.com

 

[Bobbygun]

I just keep my smokeless powder locked in the bottom of a wood gun cabinet where I store a couple of air rifles and some archery equipment.(Firearms go in the safe.) I don't believe smokeless powder will "explode" in a fire. The owner of a now defunct gun store once told me it was more like fireworks going off and emitting sparks. I worry more about the small amount of black powder and Pyrodex I have on hand. Oh, and the gun store owner told me he kept his powder stored in an old broken refrigerator.

 

[arakboss]

I just keep my smokeless powder locked in the bottom of a wood gun cabinet where I store a couple of air rifles and some archery equipment.(Firearms go in the safe.) I don't believe smokeless powder will "explode" in a fire. The owner of a now defunct gun store once told me it was more like fireworks going off and emitting sparks. I worry more about the small amount of black powder and Pyrodex I have on hand. Oh, and the gun store owner told me he kept his powder stored in an old broken refrigerator.

I know another person that keeps their's in an old fridge.

 

[aasbra]

I've heard of the old refrigerator idea and considered it, leaving the door slightly open or removing the door seal. After some research, I built a cabinet out of thick plywood. Its structure is a a steel rack with casters that I picked up for a reasonable price. My powder is stored in an insulated garage that is climate controlled.

Here is some info from Alliant:

Alliant Powder - Storage & Handling

www.alliantpowder.com

Here is what I put together:



Primers stored separately, in a wood cabinet.

 

[washagonian]

I built a powder storage box about a year ago. Dimensions are 24" x 24" x 36". I can get a sh*t-ton of powder in that much space.

I lined all interior surfaces of the box with Hardee fire-resistant backer board. This will protect the powder from HEAT and flames for much longer than a standard wooden or metal cabinet.

The box is NOT air tight - the hinged lid just sits on top of the box with an old style door hook lock. This allows for pressure resulting from gas released by burning powder to escape if heat / fire finally does get to the powder, so it doesn't explode, it will just burn.

TWYLALTR

Cheers

 

[washagonian]

Here's a link to the SAAMI booklet on powder storage.

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SAAMI_ITEM_200-Smokeless_Powder.pdf

 

[quneur]

Just don't use pressure cookers.

 

[Dozer99]

Air tight metal container with moisture/oxygen absorbers (2). Each box can hold 25 lbs of powder. With an air tight metal box and no oxygen inside, the likelihood of an explosion due to fire is very low. Heat temp would need to exceed the melting point of steel to set them off (they would need to melt open). My primers are just in an ammo can, I need to store them in a different container, but haven't found a better way yet.

 

[Belial]

Flammable cabinets snagged off jobsites. Primers in one and power in the other.

 

[kmk1012]

Air tight metal container with moisture/oxygen absorbers (2). Each box can hold 25 lbs of powder. With an air tight metal box and no oxygen inside, the likelihood of an explosion due to fire is very low. Heat temp would need to exceed the melting point of steel to set them off (they would need to melt open). My primers are just in an ammo can, I need to store them in a different container, but haven't found a better way yet.

I was under the impression that smokeless powder has oxidizers already in it. When a cartridge fires in the chamber, how else would it explode?

 

[arakboss]

I've heard of the old refrigerator idea and considered it, leaving the door slightly open or removing the door seal. After some research, I built a cabinet out of thick plywood. Its structure is a a steel rack with casters that I picked up for a reasonable price. My powder is stored in an insulated garage that is climate controlled.

Here is some info from Alliant:

Alliant Powder - Storage & Handling

www.alliantpowder.com

Here is what I put together:

View attachment 1928291View attachment 1928292View attachment 1928293View attachment 1928294View attachment 1928295

Primers stored separately, in a wood cabinet.

Very nice!

 

[Dungannon]

I keep my powders in the bottom drawers of three 2-drawer filing cabinets. The plastic bottles will split open when subjected to fire and burn off. Primers are store on an open shelf under a bench next to the presses. Guns in the safe, loaded ammo in a vented double wall steel cabinet.

 

[tgsmithe]

Reading this thread I really have to up my storage game.

Any thoughts about storage of powder/primers during transport? Planning a long trip/move and may need to take them with me. Ammo too. Not super excited about it…

 

[Camelfilter]

Reading this thread I really have to up my storage game.

Any thoughts about storage of powder/primers during transport? Planning a long trip/move and may need to take them with me. Ammo too. Not super excited about it…

Pack them wisely & drive.

If you think you might be over DOT regulation then you might want to sell some off, gift some, or use as fertilizer. IIRC DOT regs is somewhere around 100lbs, with max keg size as 8lbs. Kegs packed in cardboard.

-No idea on black powder/similars.

Primers & loaded cartridges? Go nuts. Primers in original packaging (obviously). No limits, aside from GVW/capacity.

Loaded cartridges in whatever. Original packaging/dumped in cans/boxes/bins. (charged magazines you may have issues with in some states--dunno). As towards my thoughts on transporting cartridges packed "however you wish" - see how some bulk commercial ammunition is packed & shipped. Dumped in a bag then shipped in an ammo can or cardboard box. Pointy ones too...

 

[thorborg]

All else considered, doing your best in keeping the temperature cool with minimal temperature fluctuation is the primary importance for long term powder storage.
For me, its a corner of the basement in a power ventilated walk in closet size room where it stays dry and cool year around.

 

[oremike]

Yes powder and primers are flammable and should be stored as such. They are not going to spontaneously combust like oily rags or the like. Think about what all is flammable in your house like lawn mower gas, BBQ propane, and hairspray to name a few. IMHO if my gun powder is on fire I've got way bigger problems than just the burning powder going on.

 

[tgsmithe]

Pack them wisely & drive.

If you think you might be over DOT regulation then you might want to sell some off, gift some, or use as fertilizer. IIRC DOT regs is somewhere around 100lbs, with max keg size as 8lbs. Kegs packed in cardboard.

-No idea on black powder/similars.

Primers & loaded cartridges? Go nuts. Primers in original packaging (obviously). No limits, aside from GVW/capacity.

Loaded cartridges in whatever. Original packaging/dumped in cans/boxes/bins. (charged magazines you may have issues with in some states--dunno). As towards my thoughts on transporting cartridges packed "however you wish" - see how some bulk commercial ammunition is packed & shipped. Dumped in a bag then shipped in an ammo can or cardboard box. Pointy ones too...

Great advice, thanks so much!

 

[Certaindeaf]

Pickle jars ftw!

 

[ageingstudent]

Pack them wisely & drive.

If you think you might be over DOT regulation then you might want to sell some off, gift some, or use as fertilizer. IIRC DOT regs is somewhere around 100lbs, with max keg size as 8lbs. Kegs packed in cardboard.

-No idea on black powder/similars.

Primers & loaded cartridges? Go nuts. Primers in original packaging (obviously). No limits, aside from GVW/capacity.

Loaded cartridges in whatever. Original packaging/dumped in cans/boxes/bins. (charged magazines you may have issues with in some states--dunno). As towards my thoughts on transporting cartridges packed "however you wish" - see how some bulk commercial ammunition is packed & shipped. Dumped in a bag then shipped in an ammo can or cardboard box. Pointy ones too...

I'm traveling for work in my RV...don't ask. I figure there's plenty of air gaps and blow off doors to vent an ignition, but if it catches fire, the cat is done...