What humidity for your gun room?

[Chris Shelton]

My wife and I recently purchased a new to us house (built in 2008). It has a “John Deere Room” in the basement which is just a garage. The original owner had an AC duct put in the back part of the garage. My father in law helped me build an insulated wall to capture that vent for a climate controlled reloading room. It’s a 16x14 room. We are in that weird time of year where you don’t run your furnace and you don’t run your AC in southeast MO, so I understand that humidity will be up because I’m not conditioning the air. That room was sitting at about 60% humidity. I put a 1000 square ft dehumidifier in it and knocked it down to 50%ish. I know most people say 40% is ideal for that intended use, but realistically, will I have any problems with powder, primers, etc. if they are all in sealed containers as long as I keep it under 60%? I know tools may get minor surface rust but I can handle that. I think I’m overthinking it, but wanted to get some input. Thanks!

 

[RegionRat]

I kept the loading labs between 45% and 60%, powder was stored at a very tight 50%.

Keep in mind that corporations have bigger budgets and different motives. That said, it isn't difficult or too expensive to run a de-humidifier and hold 50% - 55% RH on a room that small.

Keeping the humidity up when it is very dry is a little more difficult in hobby situations since HVAC systems are not equipped unless you spend some resources on them.

Going down too close to 40% invites the static issues with electronics. Going up above 60% invites the corrosion and water content issues. YMMV