Powder storage.

dearslayer

dearslayer

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I'm sure it's probably been asked already but search function for " Powder storage" doesn't turn up much so what are most folks using to store powders in? Currently mine are just on a top shelf of my reloading bench but perhaps there is a more " safe " way. Metal containers??
 
it used to be a requirement to store powder in wooden boxes made with none ferrous hardware (so brass screws and hinges for example) labelled EXPLOSIVES and locked

I do not believe that requirement is valid anymore and stored in their original containers is fine

There is a limit as to how much powder you can have in your dwelling but I dont remember what it is and of course it includes all powder in loaded ammunition.

I am sure someone will post the requirement - IIRC it was a Department of Natural Resouces regulation

found it

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural...g/explosive-regulations/smokeless-powder/9829
 
Never really bothered to look beyond permitted amounts. Mostly for insurance reasons. I store them in a Rubbermaid tub in my garage. Two tubs actually. One for rifle and one for pistol. It’s heated in the winter. It may not be up to the desired minimum, but if my house burns down, it’s going up either way.
 
I think the idea is to eliminate static shock. Wood would probably be best if those are the choices. I think common sense should play a big part in powder storage. If you don’t provide a source of ignition, it won’t burn. Simple as that.
 
Many years ago, it was 20 Lbs in your home, and up to 100lbs in a secure "outbuilding" stored in a "locked vented container". I used an old fridge in the garage with a 8" hole cut into the top with a hasp and Master padlock on the door. I was never inspected nor did I have a fire!
 
Just have to read the link in BigBubba's Post #2 - pretty clear, I think? Apartment, condo, row house (attached) is different limit than if in a detached dwelling. Size of containers also affect what is your limit to store - I would presume, but do not know, that the NRCAN regs are referring to original factory containers, or maybe that makes no difference? I do know that some "bulk" non-canister grade smokeless powders are /were sold basically in paper bags?? I see the "Explosive Regulations" specifies that it is to be stored in original factory containers.

I was more familiar with the "wood box", "brass hasps and hinges", "non-sparking tools" from the Blasting Regulations that applied where I worked underground with explosives and caps / primers. Note that the above was about "smokeless powder" - NOT "black powder". As I understand it, black powder is a true "explosive" - like dynamite, and has similar requirements - not the same stuff as "smokeless powder".

From an acquaintance, there was some research about powder degradation - apparently allowing it to get above about 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) starts the decomposition - so powders / ammo stored in uninsulated outdoor sheds that get very warm inside during summer, is NOT a good idea. Do not recall that cold or freezing hurts it, except to extent of creating condensation, but heat definitely does.
 
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Potashminer said:
From an acquaintance, there was some research about powder degradation - apparently allowing it to get above about 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) starts the decomposition - so powders / ammo stored in uninsulated outdoor sheds that get very warm inside during summer, is NOT a good idea. Do not recall that cold or freezing hurts it, except to extent of creating condensation, but heat definitely does.
Click to expand...

That may well be so for some powders, but I think that others tolerate higher temps quite well. Many moons ago, I bought a large bulk quantity of 4895. It took me about 20 years to work my way through it. During that time it saw storage in an outside shed. Summer temps reached 85+ºF, and in winter dropped to -40º If any deterioration was happening, I'm sure it would have been noticed. I finally used it up, and it performed just as it had 20 or so years previously.
OTOH, I had a quantity of OEM4350 [N160] from Higginsons go bad within a short time under ideal storage conditions. Of course, I had no history on this, so who knows? Dave.
 
I have no personal experience with powder going "bad" - probably never owned enough of it at one time to be an issue. But, my acquaintance, who was active bench rest shooter, kinda "warned" me about storing powder, and asking how I did that - conversation had started about differences among lots of same brand of powder - like different lots of H4350, or Varget or whatever - he drifted over to the temperature storage thing as being something that I should look at - older stuff being not stored well versus "freshly bought" stuff. Just passing on his research, experience and thoughts...

By the way - out here on the Prairies - on an 85 degree sunny day, can be much, much hotter than that within an uninsulated shed with no ventilation!!! Same like in a poorly ventilated attic, above the ceiling insulation!!!
 
Post 11 is the one to read. The link clearly explains the amounts (better than the link in my post)

Powder to be stored in original containers.
Max allowed is different for detached vs attached
No mention of the boxes anymore. Just away from iginition sources.
Primers to be stored in original containers.
Only so much powder on the loading bench etc.


Funny thing, when I was in the safety business we had a saying...
There are 3 sure things in life, not 2
Death
Taxes
And there is always an iginition source...
 
I have the pistol powder I am using currently (not the rifle powders at the moment) stored in a wooden box with brass hinge/locking mechanism and an "explosive" label I printed off the internet attached. The rifle powder is stored in a locked filing cabinet until I begin using it and then the pistol powder is moved to where the rifle powder was and vice-versa. All the powders are stored in their black plastic containers whether they be 1 pound, 4 pound or 8 pounders.
 
Maybe take a read back through what was linked in Post #11 and consider how it might apply to what you just posted. Apparently you have some containers that are more than 1 kg. That impacts how much you can have in your dwelling, unless you are in a detached dwelling. And so on. The wood box, etc., as mentioned is no longer found as a requirement - might be what you want to do, but does not take away from the limits that you are able to actually store under those regulations that were posted?
 
Potashminer said:
Maybe take a read back through what was linked in Post #11 and consider how it might apply to what you just posted. Apparently you have some containers that are more than 1 kg. That impacts how much you can have in your dwelling, unless you are in a detached dwelling. And so on. The wood box, etc., as mentioned is no longer found as a requirement - might be what you want to do, but does not take away from the limits that you are able to actually store under those regulations that were posted?
Click to expand...

I'm in a detached dwelling and I don't have 25kg of powder. Also, I don't have black powder. I checked all of this way back when I started the whole reloading thing and unless they've banned or changed something else without telling me (which I wouldn't put past them), I'm good.
 
Ha, I am sure I have stored smokeless powder since I started reloading in late 1970's and almost always when I read the regulations, I get a bit of a surprise what got changed without me knowing about it!! And, to boot, for a good number of years through the 1980's, I taught that Federal Firearms Course in our small town - I guess I should be the one to know this stuff - but that was at least 35 odd years ago!!!
 
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