Question on Primer Storage

[1972]

I have a question on primer storage. I keep large and small pistol and large and small rifle primers on hand. Even if I only have a few thousand of each on hand it’s still more than I want to store in the house. I have rural acreage and can easily build a storage magazine at the back of the property that is away from all buildings.

I can make this magazine completely “water tight” so there is no danger of any water (rain, snow, ground water, etc) ever being a problem. I can put a really good roof on it and ensure the contents are high and dry.

What I’m worried about is “atmospheric moisture” and, mostly, “temperature”, or perhaps I should say “temperature changes”. I live in the Northern part of Canada, so while it never gets all that hot here in the summer, it can get pretty cold. It rarely goes up over 80 in the summer, and this magazine would be in a shaded area anyway, but in the winter it could get down to 20 or 25 below.

Would this be a problem for primers? I know it’s not supposed to effect powder at all, as long as it’s dry and sealed. Would primers be the same? As long as they are dry, would it matter if the temperature ranged from a high of 80 in the summer to possibly minus 25 in the winter?

Anybody got any thoughts on this?

 

[Kenny474]

I think if you keep a dehumidifier in it, you will be all set. Just keep them dry as possible.

The box should have warnings if cold will hurt them anyway.

 

[jonbearman]

If you keep them in the house just seperate them if your worried.I store fair amounts because of the shortage to keep them on hand.Moisture and high heat is the only real major worry,I dont think supercold would hurt them except if they vary wildly they will sweat and ruin them all.I would just store them in your home in a pine blow out box as described in every powder manual and you will be fine and put a lock on it to keep pets and kids away from them.

 

[cfrazier77]

Temp swings can be a problem, if the primers get really cold, then it warms up, condensation can form on the metal. Here is what I do it my damp basement. I have 50 cal and 40mm ammo cans with a dehumidifier cartridge in them. All of my powder and primers go in them. A 40mm can hold up to 10,000 primers. this way no matter how wet it gets, or how much the temp swings, it will stay dry in there.

 

[necchi]

I live in Minn. and you know that temp swing is gonna cause ya some trouble.
It's not the -25,, it's those days in the spring and fall when it's 50 during the day and 0 at night, or a warm spell for three days of 40 then back down to 0 for a week.
I'd get some ammo cans because they'er somewhat air tight, thus insulated from fire heat, and as advised if you don't want them in one spot seperate them.
But I'd still keep them in a controlled environment, aka; in the house. Some far corner closet, on the floor, in an ammo can, is about as safe as you can get,,short of a "safe".

 

[40X Guy]

I get the temp swings here in NW. Pa, All my primers are stored in a Coleman cooler with dessicant packs. I have some primers from mid 90's that I used this year and there were absolutely no issues with them. They are kept in my garage and temps are anywhere from 25 to 85 degrees.

Frank

 

[jonbearman]

Keeping them in your home is no real threat unless you clean your house with a berzomatic torch.Just keep them in the cans and seperate . I have had primers from the 1960's still work fine as long as they are dry like I stated above.If there is ever a house fire ,let the fireman know where they are stored and they will make a descision on how to approach the fire.Keep them away from your powder.You are going to be fine.No worry's whatsoever.

 

[Cameron SS]

I live in southern Ontario, does anyone know if there is a limit to how many primers we can keep on hand. I only load a few rifle calibres and can't see my self having more than 5000 at any given time, so I'm pretty sure I'm safe either way. Anyone?