Glass containers

[RedRabbit]

Any pro's or con's on transfering powder to glass jars. I just got rid of @$100 worth of powder because I found rust from the can. I know my stuff is old , but thats why I stocked up years ago. Thanks:???

[LeftyDon]

Plastic won't break WHEN you knock it off the bench late at night. My $0.02.

[429421Cowboy]

This has been brought up here before, and the general opinion is not a good plan. I believe it has to do with the light on the powder, as well as the safety aspect of what you store them in. A modern plastic powder can would melt in a poof and a puddle if anything happened, a good glass jar might make a serious bomb in the event of a fire or other event.
My addition to the 2 cent jar.

[country gent]

The metal cans seams arnt solder so not very strong The plastic cans are the same. A glass jar with good lid will allow for pressure to build up to a much higher point. Also light thru the glass can cause deteriation and the glass could act a s magnifier for sunlight. Powder canisters are desighned to not allow alot of pressure to build up before they release. Ive seen shotgun shell that were in a fire and the plastic hulls sides were split from pressure release the crimps had just started to unfold a little. Plastic bottles would act the same.

[lylejb]

I just got rid of @$100 worth of powder because I found rust from the can

I think there may be a misunderstanding here.

When a powder degrades, ie. "goes bad" it can form an acid, that will attack a metal can.

However, the powder "went bad" first, then damaged the can. Unless it was a rust thru from the outside.

Was the rust on the inside, like a "rust dust" on or in the powder? Or was it a hole rusted thru the can from moisture outside?

If it was on the inside, the powder was bad, and would have been just as bad regardless of what container it was in.

I have had some IMR4895 from the 70's that was good, and some IMR 4064 from the 80's that went bad. Lots of rust dust in that one, and it wasn't the can's fault.

I don't use or recommend glass for all the reasons above, as well as the chance of poor or faded markings if stored long term.

[leadman]

There has been at least one documented fire caused by powder in a glass jar. the jars were stored on rafters in a building that the sunlight could hit. One day the powder ignited and set the building on fire. IIRC there were personal injuries involved also.
Best to keep it in a plastic container, I have used thouroughly cleaned and aired out bleach bottles with no issues. Also fire code says to store powder containers in wood cabinets made of 1" nominal wood. This way it will burn only as there is no containment.

[CastingFool]

If you have one of those Gamesaver vacuum system, make your own plastic bag, and vacuum pack the powder. Be sure to label the bag with a permanent marker with the type of powder and the date it was packed (for reference)

[bhn22]

As mentioned earlier, if there's red dust in the powder, it isn't rust. Your powder has gone bad. Sprinkle it on the lawn, it'll love the nitrogen.

Nothing flammable should ever be stored in glass.

[btroj]

Not all plastics are powder safe.

Keep powder in the can it was shipped in. The powder companies might just know something.

[walltube]

Storing propellants in glass containers is akin to storing gasoline in glass containers. < in doubt? Consult your local or State flammable\hazardous material storage regulations.

Improper storage of nitro-cellulose powders is flirting with disaster. For whatever reason some folks here may disagree with my reply, I suggest they visit the burn ward of any hospital specialising in burn treatment and re-hab.

RedRabbit, welcome to the finest Cast Boolit site on planet earth. The replies to your question from the members here are frank and mostly, come from hands-on experience.

Thinking is mandatory.

Regards,
Wt.

[dbosman]

While this may work, writing the information on a piece of acid free paper and sealing it inside the bag, will always be legible.


If you have one of those Gamesaver vacuum system, make your own plastic bag, and vacuum pack the powder. Be sure to label the bag with a permanent marker with the type of powder and the date it was packed (for reference)

[w5pv]

If you have one of those Gamesaver vacuum system, make your own plastic bag, and vacuum pack the powder. Be sure to label the bag with a permanent marker with the type of powder and the date it was packed (for reference)
before you pull vaccum on it identify the powder on a sheet of paper with a good marker and put it inside,then seal.

[WilliamDahl]

As mentioned earlier, if there's red dust in the powder, it isn't rust. Your powder has gone bad. Sprinkle it on the lawn, it'll love the nitrogen.

Nothing flammable should ever be stored in glass.

Surely you are not suggesting that alcohol be stored in plastic! I'll take my rum and vodka from a glass container any day vs a plastic container. :)

[bhn22]

Aromatic solvent fumes will exit through many plastics. Our local bottle shop has many pint and smaller bottles that are plastic. Of course, the smaller booze bottles have the life expectancy of a mayfly anyway.

[RedRabbit]

Thanks a lot guy's.I've been reloading for many years,but never really checking on my old powder's until recently reading more threads in Boolit.I have learned a lot from you guys in the last few days and made my reloading a lot safer.Thanks again

[tomon]

If you have one of those Gamesaver vacuum system, make your own plastic bag, and vacuum pack the powder. Be sure to label the bag with a permanent marker with the type of powder and the date it was packed (for reference)
Will the powder solvent attack the foodsaver bags?
As they are clear, do they need to be stored in a closed light proof cabinet?
Does vacuum packing extend the life of the powder?
Has anyone tried this for 5+ years yet to comment on it?
Thanks for your answers in advance!