Powder and primer storage.

[Dirtdgger]

My wife and I have sold are house,we are going to go traveling in are rv for a couple years. My question is I have a large stock pile of powder and primers I have acquired over the past few years. We are going to store all are belongings in a couple of storage units. What are your suggestions on storing my powder and primers?

[Mal Paso]

Old Refrigerator with magnetic door seals is my first choice, ice chest would be next.

[echo154]

I was given an old gun safe...not lined, with a key lock on the bottom. I put some magnets at the top and side to keep the door closed but also allow to open before any pressure builds up. If you can get one, old fridges work great, or separate into smaller batches and use old coolers(goodwill is a good place to look.......always keep blackpowder outside of the house if possible...IE shed, unattached garage or other outbuildings when possible. Fire extinguisher handy too.)
Or you could let me babysit it and I could test it some to ensure it's still good:mrgreen:
Todd

[rancher1913]

some of the storage units have power, or you can put an adaptor in the light socket and use a small working refrigerator. will keep them at an even temp and if it breaks you still got some protection from heat.

[Bmi48219]

Around us most storage places offer climate controlled units. We don’t worry much about too cold. I’ve never seen a unit that was really cool, most are in the 75 - 76 degree range which should be ok. Units with exterior entrance doors and inside units along the perimeter walls of the building are not as cool as climate controlled units that don’t abut exterior walls. One with a fire suppression system is also a plus. Your state or municipality probably has minimum codes for storage cabinets and maximum storable amounts. Ours is 28 pounds smokeless powder in a one inch thick wood cabinet that will not contain pressure. A one hour rated fireproof insulated metal non-pressure-able container is acceptable to them.
Lastly read the fine print on any storage unit lease. Some specifically forbid storage of fuel, powder or chemicals.

[jonp]

Lock your unit, lock the safe or fridge then put a logging chain and hardened lock on that. If someone wants to steal it make them take the entire thing

[imashooter2]

LOL! Moving heavy things is only difficult if you care about the things around it. That chain would just be a convenient place to attach theirs.

An old refrigerator in a storage unit with the door turned to the wall might not get opened. One with a lock, a chain and another lock is definitely going with the thieves.

[Dirtdgger]

Thanks for the advice,Storage unit I have is non insulated, and can get fairly warm in Oklahoma and humidity is a problem. I like the old ice box idea. Would a old chest freeze work I think I have one at the ranch? I have thought of keeping my powder and primers in my son shop at the ranch they would be safer there in a old ice box or freezer.One more question I have a large collection of molds probably half steel half brass, should in prep my molds for long term storage?

[imashooter2]

A dry box with a few desiccant packs and VCI paper would be my choice for long term mold storage.

[Sasquatch-1]

For the molds, I would just grease them up with a good grease and worry about cleaning them real well when you are ready to use them again. May want to try and find some good sealing ammo cans.

On the powder and primers are you worried about deterioration or theft?

[Dirtdgger]

I am really just worried about moisture with the humidity we have in Oklahoma.i would hate to lose my primers and powder. I will use the information on the molds that was posted. I’m going to find a old ice box and store them in my sons shop should I put desiccant packs in the ice box?

[Wayne Smith]

Humidity is not a problem for powder and primers - heat is. If you control for heat you probably have already controlled for humidity anyway.

[almar]

I keep my primers in a sealed "pelican" type box with desiccant packets. I keep my "overstock" powder containers in a large plastic storage box in the air conditioned house near an exit. The other powder jars are in the work/reloading room. When i eventually get a shop outside, it will be air conditioned/dehumidified and i will keep all of it there.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I have sold are house,we are going to go traveling in are rv for a couple years.
If I did this ^^^
I'd sell all the powder, primers, molds, reloading equipment and most of the guns (gotta keep a couple guns,IMHO).

[GregLaROCHE]

Definitely add a lot of desiccant packs. They also have big sized chemical dehumidifiers, that are basically the same thing. Check boating supply stores. People use them to keep the inside of boats dry to combat mildew.

[Sasquatch-1]

Definitely add a lot of desiccant packs. They also have big sized chemical dehumidifiers, that are basically the same thing. Check boating supply stores. People use them to keep the inside of boats dry to combat mildew.

They are also sold for gun safes. Or, just run chemical dehumidifier on Amazon.

[toot]

Lock & lock totes?

[metricmonkeywrench]

Might throw a couple true GI ammo cans on the list for storage as well…

[JimB..]

If you care, the storage unit contract will probably prohibit storage of flammables or explosives.

An air conditioned out building or a root cellar separate from the house would be best.

[Mr_Sheesh]

Son's shop sounds far better IMO. ?Storage units have bad theft issues too often...

[Mal Paso]

For a Storage Unit
No need for a lock and chain. Put your powder and primers in plain boxes, then put them in the non working refrigerator along with an anchovy or a couple ounces of a really funky cheese.

[bbogue1]

I'm in Texas. Humidity and heat are a concern. My dies, Lee sizers, powders (including powderdoat) including primers are stored inside an air conditioned house. Loading is done in a shed with no climate control. Powders stored in a plastic tote. Rounds in sealed vacum bags and plastic tote. I reserve a couple hundred rounds for shooting, but really load what I need just before I shoot. Sealing these components is important. I cannot over emphasize the importance of desicants for long term storage. For a larger storage area subject to changing conditions the most ecconomical is the Damp-Rid system, though it needs to be emptied yearly, in my case. The advantage is that it's refillable. For my boxes of rounds I put a 1/2 oz packet desicant on top of the rounds then seal using a vacuum sealer. I've never had any problem.

[kevin c]

I understand protection against humidity, but, as we expect loaded ammo to function after being in temperature extremes at and beyond the tolerances of the human being carrying the gun, (being in a hot chamber, for example), are smokeless powders and primers really that temperature sensitive?

I mean, yes, I get that, over a lot of time, just about anything will deteriorate faster when heated, but how much protection is really needed?

[GONRA]

I understand protection against humidity, but, as we expect loaded ammo to function after being in temperature extremes at and beyond the tolerances of the human being carrying the gun, (being in a hot chamber, for example), are smokeless powders and primers really that temperature sensitive?

kevin sez: "I mean, yes, I get that, over a lot of time, just about anything will deteriorate faster when heated, but how much protection is really needed?"

>>> GONRA sez - A LOT! Do not kid yerself! <<<

[armoredman]

Mark the front of the fridge, "Urinalysis/Stool Samples for Testing. Do not place food in this unit."

[Lead Freak]

To keep my primers dry, I vacuum/heat sealed each 1,000 primer box in heat sealable bags. You could do the same with powder, but just about everything now is in plastic containers where humidity wouldn't be an issue.

[WRideout]

Any time you seal things in a tight metal container (i.e. paint can, GI ammo can) you run the risk of condensation forming on the inside. I would always put a desiccant pack inside.

Wayne

[Baltimoreed]

All my [powder, primers, reloads, reloading equipment] stuff is in the house. I do store 22s and excess factory ammo in a dead freezer in my shop.

[remy3424]

So you are likely at retirement age, you are not going to shoot for a couple years...sounds like it is likely the end of your days of doing much shooting. Sell not store your components, might not ever be worth what they are worth today and you don't have to worry about damage or theft. Buy some back it you decide to get back into it in a few years.