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Posted: 5/29/2014 11:20:03 AM EDT
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How many guys store their powder in the garage?
I have a fridge that has gone out and thinking about using it to store powder in the bottom and primers in the top (freezer). How would powder hold up in the Texas heat and cold? 
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Check your local ordinances, depending on how much powder you have there
may be regulations on how it must be stored. Generally, you want to use a wooden cabinet at least two inches thick. In case of fire, it takes a long time to burn through two inches of wood. Also, refrigerator is poor choice. In a fire, it will become a huge grenade with lots of shrapnel. My house burned last Thanksgiving, heart of fire was 2 feet from cherry wood cabinet I kept powder in. TV and PC next to cabinet were nothing but cinders. Cabinet was barely burned, powder was absolutely OK. Cans were covered in smoke residues, but never any danger of ignition. |
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I've just about used up some powder that sat on a shelf in my attic for just over 25 years. Freezing at times in the winter, 100 plus and humid as hell in the summer. All of it was still good. Primers, too.
Just keep it dry and the cans sealed. Oh, my IMR powder was in the old steel cans, the Hogden and Alliant powders where in the wrapped paper cans they came in at that time. |
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A fridge will work well. They're usually cheap and have shelves. You're idea to separate primers and powder is great.
I have always stored feed grain in old chest freezers. It keeps the grain from spoiling and keeps the mice out. In a fire a fridge won't blow up like a grenade, the door will just swing open if the contents ignites. Somebody has been watching too many movies. |
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A wood box 1 inch thick with a weak side is what is recommended. I wouldn't use an old refer or freezer. Read it for yourself. A primer box I made with 1 inch thick wood and a weak side.
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John, that is pretty impressive. How long did the fire burn? Do you have pics? I have been interested in knowing how powder/primers fared in wood boxes so I could build me some. We were out of town, Thanksgiving day 6 months ago, neighbor spotted smoke about 9:00 am, fire crew was on scene at 9:07am, fire out about 9:37. Started under floor 3-4 feet from powder storage, put a 3 foot diameter hole in floor. Fire damage wasn't too bad, but smoke and water ruined everything in house. We just moved back in this weekend, got back to reloading within 48 hours. Was going nuts missing my press. Have to hunt for pics, not sure which PC they're on. |
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A wood box 1 inch thick with a weak side is what is recommended. I wouldn't use an old refer or freezer. http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/publications/download/SAAMI_ITEM_200-Smokeless_Powder.pdf Read it for yourself. <a href="http://s250.photobucket.com/user/dryflash3/media/Primer%20Magazine/P5020858.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Primer%20Magazine/P5020858.jpg</a> A primer box I made with 1 inch thick wood and a weak side. Is there a prize if we can guess which side is the weak one? 
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Quoted: Is there a prize if we can guess which side is the weak one? Quoted: Quoted: A wood box 1 inch thick with a weak side is what is recommended. I wouldn't use an old refer or freezer. http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/publications/download/SAAMI_ITEM_200-Smokeless_Powder.pdf Read it for yourself. <a href="http://s250.photobucket.com/user/dryflash3/media/Primer%20Magazine/P5020858.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/Primer%20Magazine/P5020858.jpg</a> A primer box I made with 1 inch thick wood and a weak side. Is there a prize if we can guess which side is the weak one? Actually all the sides are "weak" as in no glue and the sides fastened together with finishing nails. |
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If you look at the SAAMI pamphlet linked you will see that it states 1 inch "nominal"
thickness wood box for residential storage up to 50lbs. Nominal ie "in name only". Not that there is anything wrong with thicker wood. If you don't have access to a lot of wood working tools it's easy enough to build a technically adequate magazine with pre-cut 1" nominal shelving wood from Lowes, a trim saw, and some brads. [ETA - so don't feel bad if you are not a good woodworker like Dryflash - get some wood, and keep you house safer] |
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Lowes and Home depot carry stair tread boards that are full 1 inch finished- what is referred to as 5/4. They are about 11.5 wide and 4 feet long, with a radius along 1 edge which can be cut off in a table saw- they might cut it for you at the store. I have seen them in both oak and pine, and the last oak ones at HD had a thin veneer over a core whereas the Lowes were solid oak approx 1X2 glued together. I made my reloading bench counter top with the oak from Lowes.
I have not checked but you may also be able to find a fire-retardant paint/coating- and you could also possibly line it with drywall. This was a good subject to bring up! |
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i don't have any woodworking equipment, and zero woodworking skills, so...
for powder storage, i ended up purchasing wood ammo crates from http://www.cedar-box.com/ very happy with mine. for primer storage, i bought hornady ammo boxes. they are perfectly sized for most primer cartons. |
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I found a place that had some of the small haz mat lockers for sale. They were going out of business. I bought 2 for $50 each. 1 for powder, 1 for primers. They have a fire rating, but don't remember what it is. Quoted:
I found a place that had some of the small haz mat lockers for sale. They were going out of business. I bought 2 for $50 each. 1 for powder, 1 for primers. They have a fire rating, but don't remember what it is. Quoted:
i don't have any woodworking equipment, and zero woodworking skills, so... for powder storage, i ended up purchasing wood ammo crates from http://www.cedar-box.com/ very happy with mine. for primer storage, i bought hornady ammo boxes. they are perfectly sized for most primer cartons. Just know these are not to saami recommendations which many local codes go by so if you have a fire, the insurance company may be able to deny a claim. My 2x10 magazine cost about $30 and an hour of my time. You can have Lowes cut the boards to your lengths then just screw the together with a few screws. |
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NFPA 495 will be the adopted code. SAAMI references this code. There are also limits on the total quantity of powder and primers one may store. It's your house and your right that shall not be infringed. Do as you wish. Also something people need to pay attention to. Max 50 lbs in a residence, max 25 lbs in a vehicle without putting it in a portable magazine, max 50 lbs in a vehicle in a portable magazine with the same 1" wood wall recommendations outlined for home storage. Max 25,000 primers in a vehicle, max 10,000 primers in a residence, the way I'm reading the code. I recommend reading it for yourself. Also, state laws often add restriction to quantities and storage of powder, primers and loaded ammunition. Be sure to read up accordingly. ETA: To my knowledge, however, there is no limit on primed brass, nor on loaded ammunition, since they're both innocuous. |
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Is it recommended to store the two separately? Quoted:
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I would store primers a good distance from powder. I store mine at opposite ends of the basement, in SAAMI-recommended magazines. Is it recommended to store the two separately? Generally, yes. Probably more important is that the primers are stored in their original containers in a way that keeps them from getting mechanically shocked, crushed, etc. Glancing through the national code, I don't see anything that immediately requires separation of the two beyond the general magazine requirements, but there are restrictions on storage and separation for larger amounts. I know that at least the Ohio Revised Code (our state laws) have different/more stringent requirements on storage than just the NFPA. IANAL. |
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