Powder Storage/Packaging Question

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1972

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I am acquiring some 231 powder for reloading. Getting a good price, but the problem is it’s bulk. I don’t like the idea of leaving too much powder sitting around in bulk (plastic bag inside cardboard box) so I want to re-package it myself for better storage. I know you can store it in an "approved container", but I've got a problem when it comes to thinking a plastic bag in a cardboard box is an "approved container" - even though that's the way it comes.

I’ve got access to new 32 oz steel cans with the round dome top and screw caps. These cans seal completely air tight. I’d say they are about 8” tall and around 3” in diameter. The screw on cap is about 1 1/8”. Very similar to what a lot of powders used to come in from the factory. Anybody see any problems with storing powder in a container like this? Somebody said you have to be careful about static electricity (sparks) pouring powder into or out of metal cans – but most powders used to come in steel cans. Black powder mostly still does. I don’t see it being a problem.

Any thoughts on this?
 
1972 said:
I am acquiring some 231 powder for reloading. Getting a good price, but the problem is it’s bulk. I don’t like the idea of leaving too much powder sitting around in bulk (plastic bag inside cardboard box) so I want to re-package it myself for better storage. I know you can store it in an "approved container", but I've got a problem when it comes to thinking a plastic bag in a cardboard box is an "approved container" - even though that's the way it comes.

I’ve got access to new 32 oz steel cans with the round dome top and screw caps. These cans seal completely air tight. I’d say they are about 8” tall and around 3” in diameter. The screw on cap is about 1 1/8”. Very similar to what a lot of powders used to come in from the factory. Anybody see any problems with storing powder in a container like this? Somebody said you have to be careful about static electricity (sparks) pouring powder into or out of metal cans – but most powders used to come in steel cans. Black powder mostly still does. I don’t see it being a problem.

Any thoughts on this?
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With steel and propellent, you have the possibility of friction, with friction you have the chance of a spark, with a spark you have the possibility of either burning or in the worst case scenario a low order detonation. I would rethink the repacking issue. The manufacturers have a great deal of money invested in producing safe packaging for explosives. Go with it! I get the impression though, that the propellent that you are getting is not in a manufacturers original container, am I correct? Generally the only thing I see in plastic bags and cardboard boxes these days are wetted RDX, Pentolite, HMX, etc.

Static electricity in the air is very noticable when handling bulk propellent(and bulk high explosives), if possible invest in a good grounding strap and ensure that you are grounded when you are working with bulk propellent. I have purchased bulk propellent in the past and repacked it in 2 litre labratory Nalgene containers. I have noticed that the problem of static electricity was minimized using these containers. NRCan also recommends that you store propellent in a 3/4" thick wood box with non sparking fixtures such as those made of brass. Propellant used to come in tin cans, not steel. Steel containers are nothing more than a container for an IED.
 
The plastic bag inside the cardboard box is pretty standard for the 4lb stuff from Higginsons. They have repackaged it from bulk cannisters..
dB
 
Why not ask for some empty powder containers from folks on the forum here?

Re label as required, and fly at it, then you know that it will not cause you any greif.

I went with plastic 1 liter sample jugs, I just wrapped them with 2" wide black tape, to keep the contents UV sheilded.

One fellow I know used old Folgers coffee, tubs, a quick rinse, and dry, and place the plastic bag from Higginson right inside, snap the lid on and your good to go.
 
From the CSSA website...

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.
 
I save empty smaller containers, for parcelling out bulk pack powder. Re-label them, of course.
 
I used to buy a lot of bulk powder from Higginsons which was shipped in a plastic bag inside a cardboard box. I located a source for new black plastic ctnrs and screw on lids in Edmonton(Polybottle I recall|) and re-packed into these with my own labels showing powder ID,lot # from Higginson and my re-pack date. These were very similar to motor oil ctnrs,held 2 lbs of powder and worked very well. I would'nt recommend trying to salvage used oil ctnrs and using them as I doubt you would ever remove 100 percent of the oil traces,and oil will degrade the powder.
 
Thanks for the advice Gentlemen. I appreciate it.

First of all, I should correct myself. I meant to say those cans I could get are tin, not steel. Bad choice of words on my part.

Secondly, yes, the powder is bulk from Higginsons. I have NO problem with their service or prices and am not complaining at all. I want to make that perfectly clear. It’s just that I’d rather not have the powder stored in plastic bags in boxes. I have an outdoor magazine (I live in a rural area) where I keep powder. The change in temperature has never been a problem as long as the containers are sealed air tight! That becomes a problem with the bag & box trick. Just not a very good way to store it. And I’d rather have it in 1 to 2 pound containers – not 4 pound containers.

I’m assuming that the “tin cans” should be all right because I’ve been shooting black powder firearms for years and have gone through countless cans of Goex. Black powder is probably more sensitive than smokeless, so I always thought if there was no problem with static electricity when using the black powder and tin cans – smokeless should be okay.

None the less, I see the point being made.

Garand, what (exactly) is a nalgene container? A type of plastic I assume. Do you have a source for these where I could buy some new?

Purple – same question. Do you have a source where I can buy good quality plastic containers?

I’d be happy with plastic containers (although there have been some concerns about static electricity with plastic as well) if I could find some good ones. I’d want something fairly substantial and with a good screw on cap so that they can be sealed air tight.

Again, thanks for the advice and help.
 
Garand said:
Static electricity in the air is very noticable when handling bulk propellent(and bulk high explosives), if possible invest in a good grounding strap and ensure that you are grounded when you are working with bulk propellent. I have purchased bulk propellent in the past and repacked it in 2 litre labratory Nalgene containers.
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Aren't you inviting static issues with a nalgene bottle? We avoid storing flammable liquids in them for this reason.

1972 said:
Garand, what (exactly) is a nalgene container? A type of plastic I assume. Do you have a source for these where I could buy some new?
Nalgene bottle are just high density polyethylene containers. Any plastic container marked on the underside as HDPE is the same stuff.
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Okay, I’ve done some more research (thanks to advice from this forum) and have found suppliers for two kinds of containers.

I can get 32 oz TIN containers which I assume would be similar in construction to the metal containers that Goex comes in. Different shape, but essentially the same thing. Air tight seal on the screw cap.

I can also get essentially the same thing in PLASTIC. I have no idea what kind of plastic. I’m assuming much the same as what oil and a lot of other things are packed in.

So which is going to be safer?

For the record, I have black powder that I have bought in both types of container. It comes in metal (tin) cans from Goex, and it comes in plastic containers from Graf and other suppliers. Both seem suitable for black powder use as these manufacturers package it that way. If it works for black powder it should work with anything.

So - should there be any problem with smokeless, and if so – which type of container would most of your gentlemen deem to be “safest”?

Not trying to start an argument here guys - just trying to figure out what I should store this bulk powder in. :confused:
 
I think I am misunderstanding the question here? Are we talking about the final storage container for all your powder or the container you store your powder in before it goes into the wood box? If we are talking about final storage is everyone here saying it's ok to store the powder in something other than a wood box?
 
I need something to put the powder (purchased bulk) into so that it can be safely stored in an outdoor magazine. No "water" or "weather" can get at it, but obviously it will be subject to humidity and temperature change. So the containers have to be moisture proof.

Then I'll take it out, one container at a time, to use in reloading.
 
I repackage powders in old power cans for my "ready use" cans than go into the loading room. My bulk powders come in 20kg drums (45 pounds) and I don't like to leave power in them because it can dry out. \

I colelct empty window washer fluid containers (4 liter size), wash them, and use them for storing the bulk powders. I use a felt marker to label the jugs. A jug holds about 8 pounds.

These jugs are in the ourdoor powder bunker.
 
Re post #9. As mentioned,my source was a firm with a plant on the south side of Edmonton. It's been 14 yrs or so since I bought these ctnrs, but I recall the name was Polybottle. Just googled "Poly Bottle" and see they are still in business.
 
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