Just because eight pounds of powder will take a while for me to use up, I thought of separating a pound to use in a clean empty bottle. The rest I considered vacumn sealing for storage in marked plastic bags. Have any of you tried this? Do you foresee any negatives? Obviously exact labeling is crucial. Thanks for your thoughts.
Vacumn sealing powder
- Thread starter Topwater
- Start date
My understanding is that powder does not like direct sunlight. I personally would leave it in the original container and store in the dark at about 60 -70 deg. Should last a long, long time. 
Paul
Paul
I have a tin can of 700x from quite some time ago. I haven't had a single 357 mag round that even sounded funny in an the time I've had it. It is stored with the rest of my powder in my reloading area in my finished basement, humidity is kept under 50%, on a shelf that doesn't get any sunlight or temp variations. I would not store it any other way. I've got an 8 pounder of varget from 09 that shoots the same as new also.
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
I think that since powder doesn't come vacuum sealed from the factory that it probably doesn't need, or possibly shouldn't be vacuum sealed.
I'll add that I load a lot of powder that would be considered ancient by most folks. -- No problems. jd
I'll add that I load a lot of powder that would be considered ancient by most folks. -- No problems. jd
Checked on Google....you are spot on
GUNPOWDER STABILITY
Reloading ammunition is a great hobby and saves money. Commodity cost increases in brass and lead in recent years have resulted in many new and/or returning reloaders trying to stretch their budget.
The following information is provided as an introduction on the stability, storage, and safe handling of modern smokeless propellant.
Smokeless Propellant
The main ingredient of smokeless propellant, comprising from about 55% to 90% of the composition, is nitrocellulose. The process of creating nitrocellulose leaves remnant acid in the material. This acid immediately starts decomposing the finished product. Left alone the decomposition will reach the stage where the propellant becomes unstable and self-ignites. This process resulted in massive explosions at U.S. Government arsenals after World War I.
To increase the life of the smokeless propellant, a stabilizing chemical is used. This “stabilizer” reacts with the acid to slow down the decomposition process. However, as the stabilizer reacts with the acid it is consumed. After the stabilizer is totally consumed, the propellant is no longer protected from the internal acid.
The entire stabilizer / decomposition process is a time and temperature function – the higher the temperature, the shorter the safe life of the powder. Even moderate temperature, over extended time, leads to propellant decomposition. As a rule of thumb, any temperature over that which is comfortable to a person is accelerating the decomposition of smokeless propellants.
Under proper storage, modern smokeless powder can last for decades. However, this does not mean the reloader can ignore how the powder is stored, particularly if in an uncontrolled environment such as a garage or storage building.
Not likely to hapen but I would be concerned with creating static electric pouring gunpowder into a plastic bag. If stored at reasonable temp and humity it should be good for decades. You an check for deterioration by color change, odor, dust and sticking together.
Alliant powder co. safety and stoage recommendations.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/storage_handling.aspx#recommendations
Last edited:
divingin
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a chamber type vacuum sealer (as opposed to a Seal-A-Meal bag-end sealer.) I've noticed a distinct spark when the sealing bar actuates. Wouldn't want that anywhere near a large powder collection.
FWIW, I got back into shooting after a 30 year layoff. I'm just finishing up a 12 lb jug of WW452AA that I got in the 80's for 32SWL, 38, and 45. Stuff sat in my garage for (literally) decades.
No one has powder any older than JD 
Sealed in container, avoiding temperature SWINGS that can pump air into or out of the container.
Powder will outgas (you can smell it). Suck air into a cold container and the Oxygen will degrade it.
Get the container hot and the magic gas will escape.
Sealed in container, avoiding temperature SWINGS that can pump air into or out of the container.
Powder will outgas (you can smell it). Suck air into a cold container and the Oxygen will degrade it.
Get the container hot and the magic gas will escape.
smoooth
Gold $$ Contributor
This is not necessary if it stored properly. There's a lot of short range benchrest shooters still shooting the old 8208 and T-322 powders with great success!!
I'm loading powder that is 5+ yrs old. I took a long break from shooting
The powder smells fine, no clumps, shoots well. primers also. fwiw. stored in original containers , 1 lb. I dropped some desiccant paks in the open containers.
Murray Brook
Silver $$ Contributor
Last summer I finished off a container of IMR 4198 that I purchased in about 1988. Kept it stored in the original container . Never had a problem.
And we have a winner! Only took 14 replies. . .
Now, if you'd proposed storing it under nitrogen, we could look at the solubility of the acetone/et al solvents vs in air, but storing under reduced pressure is definitely bad.
Also, you won't live long enough to enjoy any benefit. Store in a temperature-controlled environment, and go worry about something else; it'll still be fresh as spring in 20 years.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.