Powder storage logic 101...?

[IdahoSharpshooter]

I have this friend who shoots a lot, and reloads. He was by my house to see my 405 yesterday afternoon. He saw my two 8lb kegs of RL-33 sitting in my old refrigerator, which no long works, but is great for powder storage.

He told me that buying 8lb kegs is a bad idea. He says eight 1lb containers is the only way to go for that amount of powder. Opening the keg exposes the powder to air each time you do so; and that the sealed one-pounders will provide more consistent and accurate ammunition by opening one at a time.

Any thoughts on this?

Rich

 

[M-61]

will provide more consistent and accurate ammunition

And he conducted tests to back this up?

 

[ED3]

My first, and only reaction is that (national) fire codes may not allow storing powder in a metal confinement. But I am only casually versed on the topic.

 

[Zero333]

I take a piece of Saran plastic wrap, fold it 2 or 3 times and put it between the bottle mouth and cap when closing the cap on a open powder container.

 

[dminn1]

I have this friend who shoots a lot, and reloads. He was by my house to see my 405 yesterday afternoon. He saw my two 8lb kegs of RL-33 sitting in my old refrigerator, which no long works, but is great for powder storage.

He told me that buying 8lb kegs is a bad idea. He says eight 1lb containers is the only way to go for that amount of powder. Opening the keg exposes the powder to air each time you do so; and that the sealed one-pounders will provide more consistent and accurate ammunition by opening one at a time.

Any thoughts on this?

Rich

I would think that if the powder is handled in a conditioned space that has relatively stable humidity maintained throughout the year that it would not make a major difference which way the stored powder is accessed.

 

[Zero333]

Air tight

 

[Immike]

I take a piece of Saran plastic wrap, fold it 2 or 3 times and put it between the bottle mouth and cap when closing the cap on a open powder container.

This ^ is a good idea. I try to keep my kegs from breathing under the cap also.

 

[retired]

your friend does not understand the lack of lot to lot consistency.

 

[Mudcat]

our 8 pounders usually do not last long enough once opened to be an issue but now and then we open one and dont finish it off for a while, especially if we did a big run of ammo for something we dont shoot every weekend. even then, if it sat for 10 yrs, after opened, its been perfectly fine. And some of that is used for long range ammo, so if it still works at 1,000 yards, it going to work at distances most folks that dont go thru 8 pounders fast use it.

 

[Sniper338]

theres been discussion a while back that some actually air out and de-fume their powder... and fine it more consistant...


I dont think their is proof either way.

my powder stays in an air conditioned area in cabinets. So im not worried.

 

[Mastershot]

I live in a dry climate, and do a sniff test on powders that been untouch for months.

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

He tells me that he has used a Neil Jones volume measure for many years. He opens up a fresh 8lb Keg, arrives at his setting, checking against an Ainsworth scale; and used the keg over a two year period. Started in April, new BR season, and only opened it to transfer enough powder to load a 6PPC for two matches. About a hundred rounds worth of powder was poured out each time, and the measure was double checked against an Ainsworth scale each time from his air conditioned gunroom. October, about 3.5 to 4 pounds worth of powder, and the Ainsworth said the weight had dropped enough to require two more clicks on the measure to regain the weight loss. He had about four other cartridges/loads with different powders over a three year or so period require an adjustment. That is when he switched to buying a case or more from one lot of one pounders.

As an aside, most short range Br shooters cannot tell you what their 6PPC powder charge is, just what a good Culver, Harrel, or Jones measure setting # is. At the Super Shoot, I watched shooters fire a 5-shot group at 300yds that measured in the mid to low .2moa dumping from a measure. That's hide all five with a nickel accuracy.

If you are focused enough to weigh powder charges to one kernel of powder, should this be a concern to you?

My two kegs are full of RL-33, and I am using about an ice cream scoop full to load my 338 LAPUA.

Just kidding, I have two electronic scales, and about every 10th charge is weighed, often on both.

As another aside, every shipment, the powder companies "blend" the total. That helps keep the change to an insignificant amount to normal people.

 

[rkittine]

Back in the day I used to buy 30 pound cardboard kegs of Red Dot for shotgun loading. Probably took out 2 pounds at a time and never had an issue with the powder.

Sine the 70s I have always keep my powder in an old refrigerator. Have had great luck getting non-working ones or even older working ones, for free from local appliance companies when they deliver a new one and pick up someone's old one. I started off but drilling holes in them for venting, but finally decided to go to only working ones, run them at low cooling to keep out humidity, but modified the handle and latch so that any internal pressure would allow the door to immediately blow out.

Bob

 

[retired]

yes there has been some discussion about letting new powder breathe like a fine wine before use.
just to minimize the venting off over use.

 

[LHSmith]

When loading at the range for a match, it is common for thrown charges to be heavier in the AM (higher humidity) than PM (less humidity). The reason being -powder has an affinity to aDsorb moisture. Adsorb = adhesion of molecules from a gas to a solid surface. Remember the #1 tenet in BR- minimize the variables. 1# cans is probably not a bad idea. I just keep the container openings to a minimum and replace the cap immediately.
I don't see this as a big issue in SR BR as we are always adjusting powder (among other things- tuner, seat depth, neck tension) to keep in tune - many times from one set of targets to the next which could be less than an hour interval. IMO as long as the powder is from the same batch (powder that has been subjected to the same environment) I don't see a problem.
I do not agree that allowing powder to set in open air, aka "normalizing" is a valid idea. I believe it came out of an incident where a shooters powder got wet and he was forced make an attempt to dry it out and in the process ended up winning the match- most likely because he read conditions better than the rest.

 

[hogpatrol]

From my interpretation of the fire codes and recommendations for storage of powders, refrigerators are a non starter, wooden boxes only. Before anyone gets their shorts twisted up, check with your home insurance company and see if they like your storage and will pay if something goes awry.
Remember, "film at 11".

 

[IdahoSharpshooter]

I live in Idaho. My insurance agent just says "pencil in the contents replacement rider $$ amount and write me a check...".

 

[Milo 2.0]

I'd bet all powders react differently to air and moisture. Not going into my experiences, but if you're burning an 8lb jug in under 6-8 mos, I can't see an issue. It's the shooters responsibility to monitor what his gun and load are doing at any given time.
From an economic standpoint, you're friend must have money, because buying 1lb'rs makes no sense to me. Also, like mentioned, buying one lb containers about guarantees you'll be shuffling lot number changes.

 

[rkittine]

New York requires that powder at dealers is stored in a metal container, but it has to have the easy blow out provision. Must places I go are using hazardous material cabinets.

My insurance carrier limits smokeless gun powder to 28 pounds being kept on the premises, so I am in deep you know what, regardless of how I store it.

Bob

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Reopened a bottle of Blue Dot the other day. I remembered that it had been a while since i had used it. Dumped some powder out into a pan and it definately looked Green, like green dot. Looked at the side of the bottle. Dated 7-95, looks like it has been a while. I tossed it for 2 reasons.
Could possibly be GreenDot by some mistake,
Was definately old.
Either way i replaced it for $26. Not worth the risk and head ache.