best way to store an opened 8lb container of powder

[rkittine]

The post about storing it in the posteres .270 brass reminded me of a story that Bob White told me about the US National Bench Rest Team when it went to Australia and they would not allow shooters to bring in their own powder. The Fix, Powder loaded into 50 Caliber brass and topped with cheap out od spec 50 caliber projectiles.

Bob

 

[skeeljc]

I have seen guys store in a plastic zip loc baggie (Glad I think), they would squeeze the air out and seal. Not sure if it is any better than just the cap and insert.

Powder should always be stored in the original container.

 

[Shooter13]

Powder should always be stored in the original container.

I'm talking about putting the powder container inside the plastic bag, my bad if you didn't understand, sorry.

 

[rogn]

I've had powders stored since the early 70s and maybe some of the 60s. Most have been stored in controlled environments, but due to remodeling or quantity concerns some has been relegated to an out building or other. During this time I'v had one can of I believe 4320 go bad. I've had the remains of a case of GIH322 go south all at about the same time. Some stored indoors and some outdoor. It was like each can had a little timer in it.
I'm still using AL5, Unique, 2520 and some others from back quite a ways.

Think about some of the surplus ammo that's become available. Some dates back to -?? Some of it performs normally, some is iffy. Bad stuff seems to be more related to primer failure than powder degradation.

 

[BigJohnson2]

Been a handloader since the 70's. Last month used up the last of my paper can Hercules Bullseye, shot it with no problem. Have a paper can of Hodgdon 4831 that I plan on still using. Did have a can of DuPont 4320 that went bad, that I bought in the 70,s when I was just starting, believing I needed to try all their powders. Discovered when I started shooting a 17 Remington around 2004. Store my powder and primers in a cool dry place and keep the factory seal in the lid. Still using primers that I bought for under $10.00 per thousand. My older primers consist of mainly magnum primers. Also have several hundred Remington 57 shot shell primers from that era. They work well with inline muzzel loaders. For the most part have not found the use by date on most of my powder and all of my primers.

I have 5+ pounds of 2230 from the late 90’s without the foam seal under the cap, I’m going to load up a few rounds and see how it goes. Stuff still smells good and has been stored inside so I’m confident it should be good.

 

[Hitman]

I've wondered about what kind of shelf life you could get out of powder or primers if you vacuum packed them?

All of my primers are vacuum sealed in Mylar bags with desiccant in each bag. Probably an overkill. I'll tell my 5 year old grandson to let you guys know if they survived.

 

[Bill Norris]

I normally store all my primers in these small cases found in the fishing tackle isle at Wal-mart. There is a nice rubber seal on the perimeter that keeps any moisture out. They also have a larger one suitable for storing the Federal primers as well.

 

[rockwind1]

I have a really really great idea for you, just since it’s you and your a really really special guy I’m going to offer you this special deal just this one time. Tighten the lid really really good and ship the jug to me and I’ll store it in a really really “REALLY“ great place where it will be completely dry, I have a complete tub full of new brass and I’ll be happy to store it inside say 500 cases where you will never “EVER” have to worry about it again. This is an exploding offer so act now before its to late


Sorry for the gibberish, the lads have already answered your question. On a serious note it sounds like you seriously need to burn some more powder, that stuff has rights to you know and needs to be set freeeee

i know, right? the older i get, the faster time flows. in my defense, i do have a family with 2 teenagers, and I hunt from like june to dec. i don't know where those prs guys find the time to have a life. i mostly reload for my 6.5 saum's for hunting but prime ammo had ruag make some factory 6.5 saum ammo with 142 smk's and norma brass, and i bought a bunch as back up and it shoots damn good.

I did a little reloading in '19,, and then took the whole covid year off.. but geeez guys,, I leave the reloading world for just 1 1/2 years and I come back and it's in a shambles!

 

[rockwind1]

I normally store all my primers in these small cases found in the fishing tackle isle at Wal-mart. There is a nice rubber seal on the perimeter that keeps any moisture out. They also have a larger one suitable for storing the Federal primers as well.

i swear, everytime someone posts something cool they found at wally's, i run over there and,,,,,nothing. and really, asking anyone at wally's a question, is kind of,,,well,,, now i know where those short buses are really going

 

[PatMiles]

The post about storing it in the posteres .270 brass reminded me of a story that Bob White told me about the US National Bench Rest Team when it went to Australia and they would not allow shooters to bring in their own powder. The Fix, Powder loaded into 50 Caliber brass and topped with cheap out od spec 50 caliber projectiles.

Bob

Where there's a will there's a way!

 

[BigJohnson2]

i swear, everytime someone posts something cool they found at wally's, i run over there and,,,,,nothing. and really, asking anyone at wally's a question, is kind of,,,well,,, now i know where those short buses are really going

Last time I was there they had a bunch of $5 boxes of 12 gauge, I wanted to buy a few boxes but no one could find the key to unlock the cabinet. Morons!

 

[Bill Norris]

i swear, everytime someone posts something cool they found at wally's, i run over there and,,,,,nothing. and really, asking anyone at wally's a question, is kind of,,,well,,, now i know where those short buses are really going

Yea, looks like lots of inventory is suffering at Walmart. Hopefully things will get back to normal soon.

 

[michaelb]

I have a really really great idea for you, just since it’s you and your a really really special guy I’m going to offer you this special deal just this one time. Tighten the lid really really good and ship the jug to me and I’ll store it in a really really “REALLY“ great place where it will be completely dry, I have a complete tub full of new brass and I’ll be happy to store it inside say 500 cases where you will never “EVER” have to worry about it again. This is an exploding offer so act now before its to late


Sorry for the gibberish, the lads have already answered your question. On a serious note it sounds like you seriously need to burn some more powder, that stuff has rights to you know and needs to be set freeeee

Ol Thumper, I can't sell the 8208, it works really well in all of my small and medium cases and I only have like 12 pounds remaining from a case purchased early 90's.

 

[Ol Thumper]

Ol Thumper, I can't sell the 8208, it works really well in all of my small and medium cases and I only have like 12 pounds remaining from a case purchased early 90's.

I don't need any, I was just trying to be funny.

 

[michaelb]

I don't need any, I was just trying to be funny.

Gotcha, I thought that was the case. Keep em small !!

 

[Catfur]

Heat, not exposure to the atmosphere, is the enemy of smokeless gunpowder. Exposure to moisture won't necessarily degrade the powder, but it will alter the burn characteristics based on the amount of moisture in the powder at the time of use.

Store in a cool dry place, in the original container, and don't worry about how tight the seal is.

 

[Chiquita]

I have bought packs of desicant & I leavev2 or 3 of them in each container and close the lid tight. I don't know if it is beneficial or not but I don't think it will hurt either.