Storing Smokeless Powder & Primers.

[gmerkt]

Whatever else you do, do not discuss propellants (a.k.a. gunpowder) in any conversations with your insurance people. For their purposes, pretend these things don't exist.

If you're really risk averse, keep your level of powder supply under the recommended poundage. In case of a loss that involved causation or aggravation due to the presence of gunpowder, they might disallow a claim. They are always looking for ways to deny claims. You'd be devastated if your house burned down, the ins. co. investigation determined you had over the "correct" amount, and they wouldn't pay off.

In 37 years, I'm on my fourth company to provide homeowner's insurance. I was with the first one for over 30 years, zero claims. Then we had a couple of claims and it was sayonara. Then I became a risk to insure and had to do all kinds of things to get insurance. It's calmed down now, because I've been "rehabilitated" (an ins. industry term, like I was a broken down old Communist who'd gotten religion). I had company inspectors come around; some didn't like things they saw. One objected to the amount of firewood I kept on my property, as an example.

 

[joken]

After realizing how much money I spent on these items, I put all I had room for in a safe. There are guns and other necessities in there too. I suppose if my goldenrod started a fire it would create a bomb, maybe?

 

[kmk1012]

After realizing how much money I spent on these items, I put all I had room for in a safe. There are guns and other necessities in there too. I suppose if my goldenrod started a fire it would create a bomb, maybe?

If you have room for reloading components in your safe, you need more guns . I found an insulated file cabinet on Craigslist for free and use that, just gotta be quick.

 

[arakboss]

If you have room for reloading components in your safe, you need more guns . I found an insulated file cabinet on Craigslist for free and use that, just gotta be quick.

I have a couple of the two drawer file cabinets I am using for powder storage. I am thinking about removing the drawer locks to reduce chances that they become bombs in the event of a fire. Or ventilate the tops of the cabinets. Mine are not insulated either.

 

[coltemp]

I just use an old refrig and freezer. IT provides insulation against a fire to start with.
Then if they did light off they blow the doors open. Sure there will be an added fireball from the powder but if your have a fire that bad already not going to add that much to the problem!

I second Gmerkt's comments. Also, note that technically the threshold are very low for requiring you to have a proper storage unit with blown out doors etc just like the explosives guys. Based on notes from the past I would guess just about all reloaders are over that limit for primers and powder.

 

[joken]

If you have room for reloading components in your safe, you need more guns . I found an insulated file cabinet on Craigslist for free and use that, just gotta be quick.

I realized that right before I bought another large safe.

 

[arrowshooter]

For your consideration when storing in air tight containers. Quote from Google search:

The autoignition temperature of smokeless powder is between 160°C and 180°C (320°F and 360°F).

 

[gmerkt]

After realizing how much money I spent on these items, I put all I had room for in a safe. There are guns and other necessities in there too. I suppose if my goldenrod started a fire it would create a bomb, maybe?

Well, I don't think I'd recommend that. Weird things can happen with electrical devices. Best to keep them separate. I keep powder and primers apart. I do keep primers and some ammo in the same cabinet. The powder is stored in a separate cabinet by itself. I don't store any ammo or components with actual firearms. I do know the limitation of space, so people have to work within those limits too.

 

[MikeInOr]

I use the big 20mm ammo cans to store my powder. The ammo cans with desiccant are an extra layer of protection against humidity. Most 8lb jugs fit in them quite well.

Smokeless powder won't explode unless it is under pressure. So a metal file cabinet is probably safer than ammo cans in that regards.