Storing Powder

[jelenko]

Yeah. No temp control, just under an over turned light colored big trash can.

 

[AllenOne1]

Instead of opening a new thread, I thought it would be better to tag onto this one.

How about storing unopened [i.e., in the factory container] powder outside under a rain cover and something to keep the container off the ground? For example, under a 55 gal, light colored trash can on 2X4's.
Thanks

That would not be my recommendation for powder storage.

 

[riflewoman]

Something a little less than this.

 

[jelenko]

Yeah. I know it sounds dicey. I was hoping that if it stored in the original, sealed container it would be ok stored outside. I'm wanting to keep 3 year's supply on hand and that would exceed the 50lbs fire code limit.

 

[topclass2017]

Instead of opening a new thread, I thought it would be better to tag onto this one.

How about storing unopened [i.e., in the factory container] powder outside under a rain cover and something to keep the container off the ground? For example, under a 55 gal, light colored trash can on 2X4's.
Thanks

not in Texas! a bit too warm in the summer, even in the shade...

 

[Walt Krafft]

OK, so I have a fire, all my powder burns, with the house, ammo, primers, and all. In the debris, how do you know if I had 20# or 100# of powder?

 

[jk80]

I store powder in old coolers I've picked up at garage sales. Most have the latches broken which is just fine. You want a weak point for pressure to release.

 

[jelenko]

Right.
I have three 1" wood boxes that just have hinges and no latches. I'm able to store 32lbs per wood box. But, with the fire regulations/code [max 50lbs per residence], I'm wanting to get some of the powder outside of the building. Or, gasp, keep less powder on hand.
I'm going through about 24lbs a season => want to have ~ ten 8lb jugs 'on hand' for a running 3 year supply.

 

[Metal God]

Walt you assume a total loss . What if it’s just a bad fire and while the fire department is finishing up they see your hundred pounds of powder .

Now you have to prove to the insurance company you didn’t have more in the burnt areas of the house . The fire doesn’t have to be all or nothing .

I’m in a very urban area with two fire stations within 3 minutes and 8 minutes of my house . I based my safes fire rating on this fact . Assuming the fire department should be at my house and putting out the fire within 20min so my 45 minute fire rating should be good to go . Keeping this type of stuff in mind makes me make sure I am compliant with the Law in regards to smokeless powder storage . If you were in a more rural area don’t worry about it your house is going to burn to the ground before anybody gets there LOL

Where I’m at you can keep 20 pounds in original containers pretty much anywhere , on a shelf , closet etc . Anything more than that up to 50 pounds must be stored in a fire resistant container and I believe they recommend 1 inch thick wood cabinet they don’t specify plywood .

 

[hicap40]

old fridge works great, shot some reloder 25 that was 12 years old and it shot great

 

[Walt Krafft]

Walt you assume a total loss . .

Yes, where I live it will be a complete loss. 9 miles from the closest volunteer fire department. When I first moved here we bought a doublewide trailer. After building the house we sold it and it was moved a half mile up the road. A few years later it was struck by lightning. The people called the fire department right away because there was some smoke. Every fireman and truck in the county came that night. By 10 the next morning, they had saved the concrete entry steps and the steel trailer frames. And, this was in an all night rain storm.

 

[TikkaSporter]

I inherited some old gun powder from my Father-in-Law when he passed. He used to run a small gun shop in the 70's. Most of the powder, primers, and loaded ammunition I inherited was left-over-stock from when he shut the shop down in the early 80's, 1982 I think. He moved the remaining inventory into his reloading shed, an old, always locked, wooden shed outside of his house. While he was living I only saw the lock come off once when he took me in to show me one of his progressive presses. In the time I knew him (22 years) he didn't do any reloading. The powder I inherited was in the original metal cans. Lots of IMR4895, IMR4064, and some H4350 (possibly newer, but still in the metal cans). So it was stored in a dry out building, not temperature controlled, for at least 38 years.

I broke open a few cans of the 4895 the other day along with some of the Winchester 6 1/2 primers (also inherited) and put together a practice load for my 6mmBR with 95 SMK's. I think the powder fared just fine during storage:

 

[JeffT]

Is that 50# of each powder? Or total? Asking for a friend

 

[jelenko]

I inherited some old gun powder from my Father-in-Law when he passed. He used to run a small gun shop in the 70's. Most of the powder, primers, and loaded ammunition I inherited was left-over-stock from when he shut the shop down in the early 80's, 1982 I think. He moved the remaining inventory into his reloading shed, an old, always locked, wooden shed outside of his house. While he was living I only saw the lock come off once when he took me in to show me one of his progressive presses. In the time I knew him (22 years) he didn't do any reloading. The powder I inherited was in the original metal cans. Lots of IMR4895, IMR4064, and some H4350 (possibly newer, but still in the metal cans). So it was stored in a dry out building, not temperature controlled, for at least 38 years.

I broke open a few cans of the 4895 the other day along with some of the Winchester 6 1/2 primers (also inherited) and put together a practice load for my 6mmBR with 95 SMK's. I think the powder fared just fine during storage:

Thanks!
I"m going to give it a try. All in new, factory sealed containers.

 

[Metal God]

50lbs total per household , you can even go higher but that would require a visit from the fire marshal to approve . Instead of calling in the marshal I keep 20lbs stored at my parents house .

I should add and very important to note . The poundage is not real weight but rather container size . If you only have 2lbs left in a 8lb jug . That is still considered 8lbs of powder . They don't come and weigh the powder they just look at the bottles .

 

[jelenko]

50lbs total per household

That's inside the residence, yes? I.e., we can store additional outside of the residence/building?

 

[Metal God]

That's inside the residence, yes? I.e., we can store additional outside of the residence/building?

I've never asked that question but at minimum it would need to be a detached building needing a certain amount of space/distance between the house and other storage building/storage area . The ordnance here I believe just uses the word/ing household . Sorry I don't have a direct answer for you but a call to your local fire station should get you the exact answers you need . They will have all the laws and ordnance's on file to look up real quick .

Keeping in mind no matter where else you "may" be able to store more . If it's over the 20lb total it will need to be in a fire safe container like the 1" thick wood box mentioned before .

 

[Metal God]

Still looking for the full text but this is from the ATF , your local laws may differ some . I'll also add that this all goes to smokeless powder . I believe black powder is limited to 1lb ( yes one pound ) per residence .

10-3.7 Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg) may be stored in original containers in residences. Quantities exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg), but not exceeding 50 lb (22.7 kg), may be stored in residences if kept in a wooden box or cabinet having walls or at least 1-inc.

 

[jackson1]

Wow I'm in trouble. What about limits on primers? They seem far more dangerous. Don't ask how I know.

 

[Bill K]

If you are storing gunpowders in a fridge, you certainly are not complying with State, nor Federal law. There is a very good reason the required storage is made from plywood, not sheet metal or steel, whether one, or sixty, years old.

Depends on your insurance company and what they tell you about smokeless powder.
As for laws on storage and container, etc. those apply to black powder usually, not smokeless.