Powder Storage
- Thread starter njsportsman
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ShootistPRS
New member
There is no explosion threat but there is also no fire resistance either. That is why the fire code recommends a 1" wood box.
Well think of it like the space shuttle. The Foam hit was unlikely to damage, but when it did, the shuttle took out a crew.
There is a term for that. In my world I call it snap acting. The first shuttle investigation called it "Normalizing Deviation".
Another term is low probability, severe consequnces.
There is a term for that. In my world I call it snap acting. The first shuttle investigation called it "Normalizing Deviation".
Another term is low probability, severe consequnces.
Stats Shooter
New member
A lot of folks over think things, and are overly cautious in some instances. If the area is climate controlled, just storing powder and primers in their factory containers on a shelf is fine and will last a long time.
Those folks who think some metal storage cabinet will make any difference during a real house fire are mistaken....I have actually, first hand, seen a gun safe that was supposedly "fire proof" after a house fire, parts of the safe melted and the guns inside were destroyed, so the powder wouldn't stand a chance. And that was a 2,000 dollar safe.
All you are worried about is degradation of the product with respect to powder, and powder will take on humidity once it is opened, and it will be ruined if it gets to say 150 degrees in the attic, and then 0 degrees, then 150 again etc.. And what they said about primers is true, which is why I just leave them in their factory box, on a shelf, in a climate controlled area.
Just keep it simple, don't open it before you need it and if you would be comfortable in the room it is stored, then your components will be comfortable too.
Amen to that. A couple bits I might add...
Many may think that powder is "gasp, dangerous!", but not really. If you have a gas can for your lawnmower in the garage, that's far more dangerous. And the slew of chemicals underneath a typic kitchen sink can often be just as/more dangerous.
Safe storage of smokeless powders in a home should basically keep the homeowner's insurance requirements in mind, the best "SAFE" storage is learning & living a home lifestyle that is safe and aware of home fires. That is a fantastic discussion but isn't really germane to a handloading forum.
As for "fire proof" safes, that's really a lot of nonsense on the whole. Such a container doesn't really exist in any practical home setting. Flames are one thing, excessive heat and moisture and water (as in fire department's use of it) are an entirely separate matter. You can't buy a "normal" sized container that is a magic answer for a serious house fire. The contents are a LOSS, plain and simple.
Many may think that powder is "gasp, dangerous!", but not really. If you have a gas can for your lawnmower in the garage, that's far more dangerous. And the slew of chemicals underneath a typic kitchen sink can often be just as/more dangerous.
Safe storage of smokeless powders in a home should basically keep the homeowner's insurance requirements in mind, the best "SAFE" storage is learning & living a home lifestyle that is safe and aware of home fires. That is a fantastic discussion but isn't really germane to a handloading forum.
As for "fire proof" safes, that's really a lot of nonsense on the whole. Such a container doesn't really exist in any practical home setting. Flames are one thing, excessive heat and moisture and water (as in fire department's use of it) are an entirely separate matter. You can't buy a "normal" sized container that is a magic answer for a serious house fire. The contents are a LOSS, plain and simple.
The magazine that shootist described is as good as it can get. Wood doesn't conduct heat like metal or melt like plastic and with the tile board and dry wall sheets it will be very, very unlikely that fire or heat can get through to the powder unless that fire is fully involved. It will survive anything you can put out with a hose, and in case it does blow, it will absorb a lot of the shock.
Rather than steel ammo cans, plastic are safe. A plain camping cooler will mae a good storage place, keeping temps and humidity stable.
Just as a precaution, I shrink wrap any boxes of primers that I put into storage.
Rather than steel ammo cans, plastic are safe. A plain camping cooler will mae a good storage place, keeping temps and humidity stable.
Just as a precaution, I shrink wrap any boxes of primers that I put into storage.
Well we had a guy who had powedr around and somehtow he caught it on fire.
Took out his garage.
As noted, while there are other dangerous things, power handled badly when it goes can be an issue.
There is very few kitchen chemicals that combust, in his case it went back into his safe ? yea safe, and blew up. Big difference between ruining a floor or carpet and fire.
Most of us don't swig the stuff under the sink. All of us do have powder.
Obviously we never got "The Rest of The Story" but powder has some consequences other stuff does not. .
It also burns quite fiercely, so while it may not explode its also a food way to catch other things on fire.
Like I said, seldom happens, when it does it can be severely damaging.
Took out his garage.
As noted, while there are other dangerous things, power handled badly when it goes can be an issue.
There is very few kitchen chemicals that combust, in his case it went back into his safe ? yea safe, and blew up. Big difference between ruining a floor or carpet and fire.
Most of us don't swig the stuff under the sink. All of us do have powder.
Obviously we never got "The Rest of The Story" but powder has some consequences other stuff does not. .
It also burns quite fiercely, so while it may not explode its also a food way to catch other things on fire.
Like I said, seldom happens, when it does it can be severely damaging.
It depends on the wine cooler.
It may not be needed. I have powder and primers purchased in the early 1980's that has been stored in a garage in Arkansas or Texas ever since. Only the Green Dot powder has suffered any degradation in those 30+ years.
If you will consume those powder and primers in the next decade, I wouldn't bother with any sort of extraordinary methods for preservation.
