Outdoor powder storage

[arcstarter]

For the guys who have more then 10kg of powder where do you store it? also is powder safe to store in an unheated garage or shed or do I have to worry about condensation and humidity wrecking my powder?

 

[Ganderite]

If container is sealed, should be ok.

 

[LUTNIT]

Stored outside if your summers get really hot could hasten the break down but it will still probably take decades (versus a half century or more if kept cool and dry.)

 

[arcstarter]

In northern Sask we get anywhere from -50 in the winter to +40 in the summer and its not humid but not dry either.

 

[LUTNIT]

Humidity doesn't matter so long as the containers are sealed well. I'm assuming +40'C is including the humidex which doesn't matter to inanimate objects. I'd say there is no problem storing powder outside so long as it's sealed well like Ganderite said.

 

[3macs1]

For the guys who have more then 10kg of powder where do you store it? also is powder safe to store in an unheated garage or shed or do I have to worry about condensation and humidity wrecking my powder?

My powder and primers are outside in a dry shed for almost 10 years now and no issues so far and some of the powder was opened and some used out of the cans , while other cans were probally 30 years old when I moved it out there.
My insurance company will not allow it in the house and switching companies was not an option for what we save in the group plan we are in. Reloaded ammo I can keep in the house. Strange bunch.

Oh yes forgot over 10kg are you talking just 700X since two kegs of that are 24 pounds.

 

[liberal-hater]

Heat and dampness will ruin powder. Long exposure to light will also.

If it's well sealed it should be safe from humidity. Cold is fine, but the summer heat should be avoided.

 

[Goldenlakepete]

I wrote to Hodgdon asking this. Mike Daly, Customer Service Manager, wrote back saying that outdoor storage at -40C MIGHT damage the inner structure of the powder, increasing the burn rate. I've been storing my powder outside for years - no problem.

He also said to be sure to bring the powder into the house for 24 hours before using it.

 

[SandRoad]

The only concern might be if a container is open for a while in a humid area (basement in the summer) or power in and out of powder measures, etc, where it could pick up humidity. That could cause condensation when very cold.

New, factory sealed shouldn't be a problem.

 

[LUTNIT]

Remember that wind chill and humidex don't effect inanimate objects. Was it -40'C or was it -27'C with an additional -13'C of windchill? Only the actual air temperature matters.

 

[arcstarter]

meadow lake hit -43 without windchill this year, tied for coldest with somewhere in Russia and Nunavut