storage of powder and primers

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Raymond.Emsley

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Calgary, Alberta canada
Just started reloading this spring and have a couple of questions about powder and primer storage. I did a search for the answers but found nothing.
Right now I have my Dillon located in the garage. More room there than my basement. I also have my powder and primers stored there.
My question is; can the primers and powder be stored out side in the garage in the winter?

Location Calgary
Garage not heated
Any other information you my need?

Thankx for you help.
 
The powder/primer magazines at some of the largest importers in Canada are similar to shipping cans and are unheated. My personal feeling is that humidity getting in the powder by repeated opening and closing is more risky than exposure to cold is.
 
If you don't have any room in the house then make two wooden boxes and insulate both against the cold and heat if you want to store your primers and powder in the garage. from what I know Humidity and heat is bad for powder. if you can keep it in the house in two diffrent cabinets or locked boxes. I would label the boxes also.

don't use storage items that hold static.
 
The problem you face by storing primers and powder in an unheated area is temperature cycling. As the temperature crosses the dew point, the result is dew inside the powder cans during the summer, and frost during the winter. I prefer to keep my components indoors in a controlled temperature range.
 
The plastic bottles & jugs are a vast improvement compared to the old metal containers as far as a moisture barrier. But, its still better stored inside if you can.
 
Boomer said:
The problem you face by storing primers and powder in an unheated area is temperature cycling. As the temperature crosses the dew point, the result is dew inside the powder cans during the summer, and frost during the winter. I prefer to keep my components indoors in a controlled temperature range.
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:agree: Consistently cool and dry are the orders of the day. As long as your basement is dry with low humidity it is near ideal because basements typically have lower temperature variation than any other part of the house.
 
Humid summers where I live, so I put a "Damp Trap"(available at the Dollarama) in my cabinet to absorb moisture. It works well. Nothing rusts, and powder and primers are fine.
 
Try to stay legal. In the event of a fire (and subsequent insurance claim), too much propellant in the dwelling may become a (Claim Denied) issue. Off the top of my head, this is a simplified version of the relevant passage in the Explosives legislation:
Powder:
Storage Limit (single dwelling unit) - 25 kg (~55 pounds) propellant of which no more than 10 kg may be black powder + 75 kg (165 pounds) in separate storage outside of dwelling with no separation distance (i.e. attached garage)

Primers/Percussion Caps:
Storage Limit – Unlimited in original packaging – up to 150 "stored" in loading equipment

Ammunition:
Storage Limit – 225 kg NEQ, i.e., propellant loaded into cartridges (example - if you only have .22LR High Velocity Cartridges, approximately 2.3 MILLION rounds is permissible)

Don't take my word for it, check the legislation yourself or ask your local Fire Department...
 
Raymond.Emsley said:
Wow lots of information here. Thank you. It looks like I get to build a box or 2 and store in the basement.

Better safe than sorry.
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When building the boxes use brass screws and fittings rather than steel nails etc. Brass doesn't spark whereas steel can. Also the box should not be tight fitting. You want to make sure pressure buildup doesn't occur. A case where sloppy workmanship can be an advantage. I built a vent hole into my powder box. If you are storing Black Powder more care is required.
 
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