Outdoor powder storage

[Traveler]

 

[sbbieshelt]

I'm the bad apple. I didn't have AC for 10 years and now my powder is stored in the barn. I have always kept the original container in a cooler. I also have some ammo in the barn where I shoot, cheap .22 and hand loaded 9mm that is still fine.
If I had a choice I would keep it in a temperature and humidity controlled area but I just can't. Most of my powder is unique it works fine for 9mm to .44 mag and shotgun loads. It's just dirty but I like cleaning g guns so it doesn't bother me.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Stevie Boy]

I don't know about your shed but my shed is certainly not as secure as my house. I realize that was not the context of your original question but security would be a factor for me. I realize the dollar value isn't astronomically high for even 5 pounds but I'd rather the powder not end up in the wrong hands.

 

[ted76]

I keep mine in an dorm size frig in my out building. I set the frig to it's warmest setting.
It should be very fire proof and under stable conditions. These can be found very cheap on Craig's list at times, like May and June.

 

[Traveler]

I keep mine in an dorm size frig in my out building. I set the frig to it's warmest setting.
I t should be very fire proof and a stable conditions. these can be found very cheap on Craig's list at times, like May and June.

And it does not even come close to what the powder manufacturers call for in an enclosure.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/storage_handling.aspx

10-3.7 Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg) may be stored in original containers in residences. Quantities exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg), but not exceeding 50 lb (22.7 kg), may be stored in residences if kept in a wooden box or cabinet having walls or at least 1-inc. (25.4-mm) nominal thickness.

 

[ted76]

Since I can only keep under 5 pounds of power at a time I think the frig is more than enough, this only says that quantities over 20 pounds needs to be in an enclosure.
Quote:
10-3.7 Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg) may be stored in original containers in residences. Quantities exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg), but not exceeding 50 lb (22.7 kg), may be stored in residences if kept in a wooden box or cabinet having walls or at least 1-inc. (25.4-mm) nominal thickness.

 

[Traveler]

Metal containers are not recommended anywhere I see. Just passing along the information.

 

[Chris]

I have stored my black powder in ammo cans in a smoke house for years with no effect. I make sure I check can seals and keep them covered with a tarp. Still goes bang. I have had smokeless out there also and it held up good. I think the biggest problem with outdoor/indoor storage is moisture, keep that out. The old saying "Keep your powder dry". I don't think temp has much of an effect. Chris

 

[pcfixer]

"Store in a Cool Dry Place". As I understand storage of powders not to be stored in a place that has a big temperature variation.
I checked ammo in Germany as a ammo storage NCO. All of those are bunkers underground, dry and sealed against temperature variations.

 

[Pinecone]

Since I can only keep under 5 pounds of power at a time I think the frig is more than enough, this only says that quantities over 20 pounds needs to be in an enclosure.
Quote:
10-3.7 Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg) may be stored in original containers in residences. Quantities exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg), but not exceeding 50 lb (22.7 kg), may be stored in residences if kept in a wooden box or cabinet having walls or at least 1-inc. (25.4-mm) nominal thickness.

So what do you think the metal walls of the fridge become if the powder goes off?

Think shrapnel.

 

[camobob]

Interesting discussion. Not a lawyer but as I understand 'possession' it may not include stuff outside the house. Long term storage in watertight containers underground or a fridge in a shed seems like a good answer. Not wanting to dig for my next load, I like the idea of a dorm sized fridge. Does the fridge get too cold in winter?

 

[pcfixer]

Interesting discussion. Not a lawyer but as I understand 'possession' it may not include stuff outside the house. Long term storage in watertight containers underground or a fridge in a shed seems like a good answer. Not wanting to dig for my next load, I like the idea of a dorm sized fridge. Does the fridge get too cold in winter?

I think protection against "Extreme's of temperature" The Key.

 

[ted76]

So what do you think the metal walls of the fridge become if the powder goes off?

Think shrapnel.

The door is only held shut by a magnetic seal, it would pop open as soon as any pressure built up inside, before anything else happened.

 

[Pinecone]

You hope.

So why do people get stuck in them if they are so easy to open?????????

 

[Warpspasm]

That was in the old fridges

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

 

[DocAitch]

So what do you think the metal walls of the fridge become if the powder goes off?

Think shrapnel.

I agree with Ted
Smokeless powder is a flammable solid, not an explosive.
As long as the refrigerator door is only held closed with it's magnetic strip, there is no danger of "explosion". Put some kind of mechanical latch or lock on it, and it would be a different story.
Read some of Hatcher's writings on smokeless powder incidents and deliberate ignition of smokeless powder( Hatcher's Notebook, Julian S Hatcher,1947). Hatcher investigated mishaps with smokeless powder, guns and ammunition. He was a retired Major General with a career in ordnance, and technical editor of the American Rifleman magazine for years.
DocAitch

 

[Pinecone]

The point is, a flammable solid, when ignited and CONTAINED is a low explosive. There are some videos of people igniting lithium batteries in a ammo can (as an experiment to see what happens), the amazing one was where they cut a 4 inch diameter vent hole, and the ammo can still ripped apart and created shrapnel.

There is also a timing thing. Firing a cartridge expels the bullet, but you can still generate 50,000 psi.

Up to you. Personally, I will go with the fire code and use a WOODEN container.

 

[Straightshooter]

One of the reasons the National Fire Protection Association requires wood is for prevention of static sparks when handling the containers. If you pick up a container of powder with a build up of static in your body, the wood acts as an insulator between the container and ground. No ground, no static spark.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

 

[DocAitch]

The point is, a flammable solid, when ignited and CONTAINED is a low explosive. There are some videos of people igniting lithium batteries in a ammo can (as an experiment to see what happens), the amazing one was where they cut a 4 inch diameter vent hole, and the ammo can still ripped apart and created shrapnel.

There is also a timing thing. Firing a cartridge expels the bullet, but you can still generate 50,000 psi.

Up to you. Personally, I will go with the fire code and use a WOODEN container.

That 50,000# of pressure is generated because there is a bullet that is fit snugly in the bore. A refrigerator door held shut with a magnetic strip would probably only cause an overpressure of a couple of pounds per square inch before it released.
Not an issue.
DocAitch

 

[Traveler]

Yeah, what do those powder manufacturers know.