Powder Storage

Fozy

Fozy

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I am doing a reloading course this weekend and was doing some reading on storage of powder and primers.

Legality aside I am looking for some suggestion on practical storage. Do you guys use a specific type of container that's fire resistant? Do I need to take specific precautions in regards to moisture?
 
Fozy said:
I am doing a reloading course this weekend and was doing some reading on storage of powder and primers.

Legality aside I am looking for some suggestion on practical storage. Do you guys use a specific type of container that's fire resistant? Do I need to take specific precautions in regards to moisture?
Click to expand...


Here is the CSSA's recommendation...

The storage of gun powder is regulated by the explosives act, r.S.C. 1990. you may keep a maximum of 12 kg. In a dwelling if it in a suitable container. this is specified to be a box of 3/4 inch thick wood, no ferrous fittings (use brass, bronze, or glue), be locked and labelled aexplosives@. only 2 kg. Can be out of the box at any one time to be used. this means that when you are finished reloading you must return the unused powder to the locked box. the ministry of energy mines and resources recommends that anyone who contravenes this be charged under the criminal code with unsafe storage of ammunition. to the ministry there is no distinction between black powder and smokeless powder. primers are to be similarly stored.

Here is a thread I recently started regarding the box I built...

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=469960
 
cbabes said:
this is specified to be a box of 3/4 inch thick wood
Click to expand...

Can you please provide a link/reference for your assertion - all I can find in the Regs is "appropriate material..."

IMHO a plastic box is also appropriate as it will not spark (the reason behind non-ferrous...) and it is what powder is shipped in from the manufacturers and stored in at retailers... i.e. a plastic tool box.
 
lineofsight said:
Can you please provide a link/reference for your assertion - all I can find in the Regs is "appropriate material..."

IMHO a plastic box is also appropriate as it will not spark (the reason behind non-ferrous...) and it is what powder is shipped in from the manufacturers and stored in at retailers... i.e. a plastic tool box.
Click to expand...

I have been asked this before and all I could find is the info from the CSSA...

http://www.cdnshootingsports.org/legal_info_for_reloaders.html

I have to agree with blacksmithden though it's overkill. I built my box to specs just for the fun of it.
 
...and that's a kick ass box btw!!

Ok then that give me a starting point....what safety equipment do you guys keep handy in case the ash from your cigarette falls into a jar of powder....:)

I read one guys keeps a bucket of water beside the bench, in case of an accident, to tip over as he was heading elsewhere
 
Fozy said:
...and that's a kick ass box btw!!

Ok then that give me a starting point....what safety equipment do you guys keep handy in case the ash from your cigarette falls into a jar of powder....:)

I read one guys keeps a bucket of water beside the bench, in case of an accident, to tip over as he was heading elsewhere
Click to expand...

Number 13 on these safety tips is very important unless you want a rocket powered vaccum! :p


1. NEVER mix powders of different kinds.
2. Use the powder ONLY as recommended in manufacturer reloading manuals.
3. Store powder in cool, dry place.
4. If you throw or measure powder charges by volume, check-weigh the charges every time you begin loading, occasionally during loading and when you finish.
5. Pour out only enough powder for the immediate work.
6. NEVER substitute smokeless powder for black powder or Pyrodex®.
7. Don't carry powder in your clothing. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling it.
8. Store powders only in original package. Don't repackage.
9. Keep powder containers tightly closed when not in use.
10. Specific powders are designed for specific uses. Don't use them for other purposes.
11. Smokeless powder is EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. To dispose of deteriorated powders, follow recommendations in The Properties and Storage of Smokeless Powder SAAMI Reprint #376-2500, which is published in some reloading guides or available from NRMA.
12. Empty the powder measure back into the original powder container when through with a reloading session. DO NOT MIX POWDERS.
13. Clean up spilled powder with brush and dustpan; do not use a vacuum cleaner because fire or explosion may result.
 
At one time I understand the NFA said that we could store three separate 10 kg. boxes (3/4" wood non-ferrous fittings) of gunpowder in a home. Can anyone verify? thanx
 
Fozy said:
...and that's a kick ass box btw!!

Ok then that give me a starting point....what safety equipment do you guys keep handy in case the ash from your cigarette falls into a jar of powder....:)

I read one guys keeps a bucket of water beside the bench, in case of an accident, to tip over as he was heading elsewhere
Click to expand...

First lesson is to take a small amount of powder to a safe place in the back yard away from anything combustable and light it up. Study the result carefully and see if it might be something you want to tackle with a bucket of water......;)

I salvaged some old kithchen cupboards from the landfill. Screwed them to the wall up high and viola! Instant wooden storage cabinet. No, the hardware is not brass and Jimmy crack corn.....:p
 
These regulations are one of the better examples of internet lore, which is interesting as the regulations are also on the internet so could read them rather than all the other likely well intentioned but erroneous information.
cbabes said:
I have been asked this before and all I could find is the info from the CSSA...

http://www.cdnshootingsports.org/legal_info_for_reloaders.html
Click to expand...
See "137(c) it shall be made of wood, copper or other suitable material;"
Thus there are other suitable materials - it is shipped, stored, and transported in a plastic container (non-ferrous, wont spark)

You build a beautiful box, just watch the weight of what you put in it (no more than 10kg).

glycerin said:
At one time I understand the NFA said that we could store three separate 10 kg. boxes (3/4" wood non-ferrous fittings) of gunpowder in a home. Can anyone verify? thanx
Click to expand...
See S.125 for the amount of ammunition & primers you can possess (not store in one container) - 225kg if in containers.
See S.143 for the amount of powder that can be stored in accordance with the regs - 75kg.
See S.140 for the amount that can be stored in a single container - 10kg.
See S.141 for what can be stored together / requires partition - none if no exposed.

CeeZer said:
Yes, if you read the Explosives Act, maximum of 12kg for powder; 2kg max out of storage container during reloading process.
Click to expand...
See S.117 the 12kg limit applies to sellers not private premises / person.
See S.143 for the amount of powder that can be stored - 75kg.
See S.35 on the amount of powder out during reloading - 2kg.
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If have another read of this, please let me know, always possible that am misinterpreting it. Very likely that more knowledgeable people than myself on the board - must be some NRCAN employees or something on the board.

Am predicating my reading on Class 1 gunpowder, Class 6 ammunition, Class 6 Division 1 Primers.
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Regulations

Act
 
cbabes said:
Number 13 on these safety tips is very important unless you want a rocket powered vaccum! :p


13. Clean up spilled powder with brush and dustpan; do not use a vacuum cleaner because fire or explosion may result.
Click to expand...

Sweet Jeebus! I always used my shopvac to suck up spilled powder....
So what is the total you can have at home, 75kgs? I wanted to do a larger buy of a few different powders with the father in law in 7lb containers. likely 4 7 lb containers? GTG if stored properly?
 
Lineofsight is right on! People need to read the WHOLE regulation, not parts of it.
All the BS about "storage" is exactly that - warehouse storage. What you have at home you are "using".
Leave it in the original container on a dry shelf out of sunlight.
Keep the primers in the original container on different shelf
Keep kids out of the room

Google the explosives ACT, then click on the little arrow and read the REGS
The ACT tells you WHAT to do, the REGS tell you HOW to do it...
And it also defines what a container is, etc - and it is not intended for private dwellings
 
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