Looking for ideas for powder storage

christos808

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I just moved into a new house a couple of months ago and I finally have the space to build a proper gun/reloading room. I’ve done a pretty good job so far of building a bench as well as storage for all my tools, components, ammo, etc.

The one thing I haven’t figured out is where I’m going to store my powder. I am aware of the storage regulations for powder, but I would like to get some ideas on how to actually implement them. I’ve spent some time on the “show us your reloading bench” thread but very few of them show powder.

So I’m asking all of you experienced reloaded: show me how you store your powder.

Thanks
 
Most stores...

black-powder4.jpg
 
I was under the impression that it had to be locked up in a non-metallic cabinet or something. As usual the law itself is worded very vaguely, but I’ve heard from many people that you can’t just leave it on a shelf or put it in a metal cabinet.
 
Where are those requirements??

Unlicensed user

298. A user who does not hold a licence must store their propellant powder, percussion caps and black powder cartouches in a dwelling or a storage unit and ensure that the requirements of sections 299 to 304 are met.

Note: Subsection 279(2) provides that users must store small arms cartridges in accordance with sections 280 and 281.

Percussion caps

299. (1) Percussion caps must be stored in their original packaging.

Note: These Regulations do not limit the number of percussion caps that may be stored in their original packaging in a dwelling or a storage unit.

Smokeless powder

(2) Smokeless powder must be stored in its original container or in small arms cartridges.


Black powder

(3) Black powder must be stored in its original container, in small arms cartridges or in black powder cartouches.

Maximum quantity

300. The maximum quantity of propellant powder that may be stored by a user at any one time under sections 301 to 303 is reduced by the quantity of any propellant powder that the user is storing under section 375 and any quantity that they are storing under section 389.

Detached dwellings

301. The maximum quantity of propellant powder that may be stored at any one time in a detached dwelling, or in a storage unit attached to a detached dwelling, is 25 kg of which no more than 10 kg may be black powder.

Other dwellings — smokeless powder

302. (1) The maximum quantity of smokeless powder that may be stored at any one time in a dwelling other than a detached dwelling, or in a storage unit attached to a dwelling other than a detached dwelling, is

(a) 20 kg, if all the smokeless powder is in containers that hold no more than 1 kg; or
(b) 5 kg, if any of the smokeless powder is in a container that holds more than 1 kg.

Other dwellings — black powder

(2) The maximum quantity of black powder that may be stored at any one time in a dwelling other than a detached dwelling, or in a storage unit attached to a dwelling other than a detached dwelling, is

(a) 1 kg, if the black powder is in containers; or
(b) 3 kg less any quantity that is in containers, if the black powder is in small arms cartridges or black powder cartouches.

Detached storage unit

303. The maximum quantity of propellant powder that may be stored at any one time in storage units that are not attached to a dwelling, whether in a single unit or in several, is 75 kg.

Storage requirements — dwelling

304. (1) When propellant powder, percussion caps or black power cartouches are stored in a dwelling, they must be stored away from flammable substances and sources of ignition . People not authorized by the user must not be given unlimited access to the propellant powder, percussion caps or black powder cartouches.

Storage requirements — storage unit

(2) When propellant powder, percussion caps or black powder cartouches are stored in a storage unit,

(a) the storage unit must be located in a dry place, away from flammable substances and sources of ignition;
(b) the storage unit must be constructed and maintained to prevent unauthorized access and to protect the contents from weather;
(c) if the storage unit is a container, it must not impede exit in case of fire;
(d) if the storage unit is not a container, all exits must be kept unobstructed;
(e) any shelving in the storage unit must be made from a non-sparking material (for example, wood or painted metal);
(f) nothing other than small arms cartridges may be stored with the propellant powder, percussion caps or black powder cartouches;
(g) propellant powder, percussion caps, small arms cartridges and black powder cartouches must be stored separately from one another (for example, on different shelves or separated by a wooden barrier);
(h) the storage unit must be attended when it is unlocked;
(i) the storage unit must be kept clean, dry, organized and free of grit;
(j) any spill, leakage or other contamination in the storage unit must be cleaned up immediately;
(k) precautions that minimize the likelihood of fire in or near the storage unit must be taken; and
(l) a sign that displays the words “Danger — Fire Hazard/Risque d’incendie” in letters at least 10 cm high and that prohibits smoking using letters, or a symbol, at least 10 cm high must be posted on the storage unit in a clearly visible location.

...........
 
I was under the impression that it had to be locked up in a non-metallic cabinet or something. As usual the law itself is worded very vaguely, but I’ve heard from many people that you can’t just leave it on a shelf or put it in a metal cabinet.

If you have a large quantity of powder, you're right - it's supposed to be stored in a secure, solid wooden (not metal) container - something about mitigating sparks and shrapnel. For a few pounds of powder (I have a few 8 lb jugs and 1 lb bottles) it's fine, sitting on a shelf - high up, away from kids.
 
If you have a large quantity of powder, you're right - it's supposed to be stored in a secure, solid wooden (not metal) container - something about mitigating sparks and shrapnel. For a few pounds of powder (I have a few 8 lb jugs and 1 lb bottles) it's fine, sitting on a shelf - high up, away from kids.

Read the regs above
 
Might want to consider the storage climate as well - from an acquaintance who was a bench rest shooter, who lost 8 pound jugs that went "bad" on him - he passed on a write-up that suggests some research done to show that an irreversible degradation of smokeless powder occurs if it is stored above 72 degrees F (22 C). So, leaving powder in uninsulated shed / garage that gets smoking hot in summer sun is not good idea - want basically room temp or cooler. I could find no information about cold hurting it, except to extent condensation allowed to happen as it is warmed up. Multiple stories from Africa hunting - cartridges left to get hot in storage - powder gells, clumps, degrades over time with that heat.
 
Humid and hot bad, damp and cold bad.

My jugs are stored in old coolers with deccicant beads inside the coolers. Another consderation is dry static climates, making anti static for your jugs helps when pouring.(Aluminum foil tape/real duct tape)

You can procure deccicate from most glass shops that can make sealed units, throw it in tea bags and toss them in coolerers/cabinets that are air tight.
 
I have a closet in the basement that I replaced the door with a locking one. I keep numerous "Dry Air" moisture absorbers in there and change them as required. It is dark and always the same temperature

EDIT: For a very short time I used the "Dry Air" containers from the RV section in Canadian Tire until I discovered the same things are available at the dollar store for only $1.50 a piece (maybe $2.50). So now when I go to the bigger cities that have dollar stores I buy a half dozen or so each time to replenish my stock of them
 
I just moved into a new house a couple of months ago and I finally have the space to build a proper gun/reloading room. I’ve done a pretty good job so far of building a bench as well as storage for all my tools, components, ammo, etc.

The one thing I haven’t figured out is where I’m going to store my powder. I am aware of the storage regulations for powder, but I would like to get some ideas on how to actually implement them. I’ve spent some time on the “show us your reloading bench” thread but very few of them show powder.

So I’m asking all of you experienced reloaded: show me how you store your powder.

Thanks

Gun powder is far more stable and safer to store than gasoline, yup, a shelf.
 
Yeah - the wooden box thing, etc. was written into Sask Mine Regs for dealing with primers and dynamite at mine sites - I am thinking some folk knew or were taught that in their days at a mine, and transferred that to home storage of powder for reloading. At least 5 or 6 years ago was still in the Sask Mine Regs, for at a mine, but never did have anything to do with home storage. I think the actual standard for home are overseen by NCR Canada or some entity like that.

Feds not always helpful - had a seismic survey on the go a few years ago around our mine site - contractor had powder trailer stowed in bushes in a pasture for many weeks. Fed inspector came out on an audit - insisted we had to install a large warning sign on the road about the powder storage. The place got cleaned out that weekend - the sign basically alerted everyone that there was something there...
 
It should have...

Really ? What am I missing ? I've been handling/storing it the same way for 30 years and never had an issue. High and dry, room temp., away from unauthorized hands and any source of ignition. Can't imagine anything I could do to make it safer. Basically, the same way that retail outlets store it - and they seem content with it.
 
Really ? What am I missing ? I've been handling/storing it the same way for 30 years and never had an issue. High and dry, room temp., away from unauthorized hands and any source of ignition. Can't imagine anything I could do to make it safer. Basically, the same way that retail outlets store it - and they seem content with it.

You are missing the part where you told a guy there were rules that don't exist. You were corrected and now seem to be playing dumb.
 
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