storing powder for the long haul

[corvette8n]

What factors do I need to consider if I want to store powders for a long time without it going bad.

[Calamity Jake]

Cool, Dry and in a dark place.

[missionary5155]

I store my powder every time I head down here. Some of it is getting over 15 years now. It may be getting a little less potent. But I keep it on the origonal containers in a cardbord box in a dry enviorment.

[Ricochet]

Keeping it from getting hot is the most important factor.

[Will]

I've got some 4831 surplus from WWII and it is still good as new. I Keep it in an old 1 gal coleman fuel can.

[Junior1942]

Get a used, working, frost free refrigerator and store your powder & primers & loaded ammo in the top or bottom. It'll stay at a constant low temp and low humidity. When you pull a can out, wrap a towel around it for insulation and let it come to room temp over a period of several hours or overnight. Do NOT open a cold can! Moisture will immediately condense inside.

[mike in co]

if you have metallic containers replace them with dark plastic containers. the limited moisture in the powder/container will/may eventually cause rust.....the red/brown contaminate found in most "deteriated" powder.
look at nearly every current powder manufacture's current packaging.

mike in co

[Shiloh]

Cool, Dry, Consistant. A cabinet in the basement works well.

Stay away from extreme temperature swings. I still have some Hercules Unique in the round can with pull-up top that is as good as new. At least I can't tell on midrange loads. That can must be 25+ years old.

Shiloh

[Linstrum]

Darkness is an important factor, too. If you have bulk powder in white plastic gallon jugs it is also important to keep powder out of light, even dim light if you plan on keeping it for a few decades.


rl486

[BUFFALOW RED]

in a 5" foot long pvc pipe with caps glued on & stored 1' below ground just dont for get were you hide/bury it not fun to find with backho

[thebrute]

I've got a canister of Red Dot that's almost as old as I am! (60). Stored in a cool dark place in the original canister. Still loads well for my 12 gauge for field loads.

[Linstrum]

Having some Red Dot close to 60 years old is not too surprising. It seems that double base powders are a bit less sensitive to aging than single base types.

There is a bit of the original manufacturing lots of Unique and Bullseye still left. In 1899 they were purposely set aside in storage to test every once in awhile for deterioration and performance properties, and after 100 years (the last test I am aware of was made in 2001) they were still within specification for burn rate and pressure! The powder is stored mixed with water since the components are not water soluble.


rl492

[atr]

yup....cool, dry and consistant....Ive used powders and primers stored this way which were 15 years old...no problems !!!
I put mine in a coleman ice-chest

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
I just loaded up the last of my IMR 4198 (35yrs old), & Last yr. Shot Last of my 15+ yr. old primers. All stored in original containers, in my basement. No problem here in Utah.