I've Been Storing Powder and Primer's Wrong

[CacheCropp]

I have inherited my fathers reloading stuff, 65,000 LR, 45,000 SR, 45,000LP primers and about 600 pounds of rifle and pistol powders , unopened in 4,15,30 pound metal kegs. Winchester and S&W Alco primers some from 1971, some of the powder kegs are from the 60's I think? stored in a basement in Ill. for a time 70's 80's 90's in 2005 they moved to Florida, in the garage in 20 mm ammo cans , some not. I have not had any of it fail yet.

If I was given powder from the 70’s, I’d use it to fertilize my garden.

 

[cmysix]

If I was given powder from the 70’s, I’d use it to fertilize my garden.

guess I should throw all the primers out too? velocity's are spot on with the reloaders manual, why should I throw it out?

 

[CacheCropp]

Make sure you till it up. If you dump that powder in a pile in your yard and a year later drop a match the ground would start to burn fiercely. Done it in my gravel driveway while grinding some steel. Four inches of snow during the winter.

LOL, well I should’ve clarified, make sure you set your Scott’s Spreader on 12 or higher and cautiously work your way down to a denser pattern.

 

[stavey]

My 10 powder jugs are in one room inside a plastic bin that is kept between 50-70 deg and has a dehumidifier. My 6000 some primers are keep in another room inside a plastic bin with desiccant packs. That room is kept between 65-70 deg and has a dehumidifier. I would make two wooden boxes if I were you. I think I will make two boxes this winter.

I remember reading something years ago about not using desiccant packs sealed in with your primers. Something about the desiccant drying out the primer compound over time. True or not I don’t know.

 

[dblcrona]

I always assumed you needed climate controlled storage for primers and powder, but I've seen articles that say this isn't true. I've stored both in my gun safe in air-tight ammo boxes and I've seen articles that say they shouldn't be stored in those ammo boxes and primers and powder shouldn't be stored together. That leads me to the question of, "Where should I store it?"

I've removed it form the ammo boxes, but its still in my gun safe. I'm thinking of making a wooden storage cabinet out of the recommended 1" thick wood and putting it in my workshop. Now, the question becomes, do I need two cabinets, one for primers and another for powder, or can I use one cabinet for both if I keep them separate inside the cabinet?

I keep my powder and primers in a flammable storage cabinet like this one. Mine is about twice this size. It is not air tight, intended only to prevent any potential ignition source from getting to the flammable contents. However, I do question if I should be storing powder and primers together. Thoughts? TIA.

Ken

 

[Kracken McGraw]

However, I do question if I should be storing powder and primers together. Thoughts? TIA.

From past replies on this Forum, you should store them separately to be kept safer from a potential explosion risk.

 

[dblcrona]

From past replies on this Forum, you should store them separately to be kept safer from a potential explosion risk.

I’m buying a second flammable storage cabinet today. The larger of the two will be powder and the small one will be primers.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I’m buying a second flammable storage cabinet today. The larger of the two will be powder and the small one will be primers.

We have one of the cabinets you showed for my wife’s flammable art chemicals, I keep my Naptha in there too.

 

[JFrank]

I seem to recall walking into Sportsman Wharehouse seeing 100,000 primers stacked one shelf below hundreds of pounds of powder.
No one gave that a second thought.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I seem to recall walking into Sportsman Wharehouse seeing 100,000 primers stacked one shelf below hundreds of pounds of powder.
No one gave that a second thought.

True, and maybe that‘s safer than being shut up together in a tight cabinet or safe.

 

[JFrank]

My objective is to isolate from an ignition source and try and maintain a non humid cool and dry climate.

 

[JFrank]

Here’s a question,
When a guy orders primers and powder at the same time from the same supplier, do they arrive in separate boxes or packaged together ?

 

[6fatrat]

This thread has me rethinking how i store them.
Jfrank packed together.

 

[Doom]

I keep my powder and primers in a flammable storage cabinet like this one. Mine is about twice this size. It is not air tight, intended only to prevent any potential ignition source from getting to the flammable contents. However, I do question if I should be storing powder and primers together. Thoughts? TIA.

Ken

You have successfully created an IED. Gunpowder becomes an explosive when its combustion is contained, such as in a sealed metal container or a gun safe. The metal of the cabinet becomes shrapnel.

I would refer you to this link at SAAMI

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Info-Doc-Smokeless-Powder-11-8-2022.pdf

and more specifically to the referenced NFPA 495 Chapter 14 which also includes primers.

 

[wright brothers]

My brothers survived a house fire. The reloading room appeared just as scorched to me as the rest.
But that area sure did get the firemens attention.
Some powder, primers and shells cooked off and some didn't.
The cooked shell cases resembled blooming irises in shape.

Now I need to check for red dust in the metal cans.

 

[Fclassfool]

Some of yall sure like to make things difficult

 

[M-61]

I've stored both in my gun safe in air-tight ammo boxes

That is a horrific huge pipe bomb

 

[M-61]

I remember reading something years ago about not using desiccant packs sealed in with your primers. Something about the desiccant drying out the primer compound over time. True or not I don’t know.

The primer compound is dry. Wet only when installed by manufacturer

 

[stavey]

The primer compound is dry. Wet only when installed by manufacturer

I understand that. Just something I read. I just keep them in a cool dry place. Never had an issue.

 

[Mastershot]

I store most of my powder in a wooden box made of scrap 2x4’s and hardy backed lined. Everything stays nice and dry.