Storing powder?

Travis907

WKR
Joined
Jul 21, 2019
Messages
510
Location
Indiana
What is the best way to store powder in your reloading room? How do you all store it? Fireproof cabinets?

Just looking for safe ideas! I’m just getting into reloading and will be doing it out of my basement.

Thanks!
 
Joined
Sep 15, 2019
Messages
17
I've just kept mine on a shelf underneath my reloading bench for the past 10+ years. The room with my bench is climate controlled but I've never done anything more than that and haven't had any problems so far. Same goes for my primers. To be as safe as possible, it'd probably be smart to have a fireproof cabinet or at least a metal locking cabinet, but that's probably a matter of personal preference and how much effort/money you're willing to put into your setup.
 

Tesoro

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 19, 2018
Messages
131
Location
Southern Oregon
Screw the lids on tight and call it good. I wouldnt put them in any sealed compartment like a fire safe as that can become a big bomb! Same thing with primers.
 

Sled

WKR
Joined
Jun 11, 2018
Messages
2,265
Location
Utah
I have a few powders out on the shelf in their original containers. The others get stored in a wood cabinet with 1.5" thick planks that are charred on the outside to make it fire resistant. I don't confine powders in ammo cans for the reason mentioned above. When you get a rapid exothermic reaction it's best to let it go and not build pressure.
 

Operator

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 7, 2022
Messages
222
Location
Southern Illinois
I set up a fire resistant room, had contractor poor an extra couple walls and 6" top, put in a drain and a fire door. Cheap as a couple safes, put a dehumidifier in it, shelves bench and desk, keeps kids out and never had any problems with primers. Go an extra step put the primers in a cooler, away from the door and powder on low shelves away from the door. I made some gun racks and placed them above the work area on the walls. I had a house fire once nothing got damaged. Couldn't even smell smoke on anything. Oops the fire door did need replacing.
 

wcoats

FNG
Joined
Jun 28, 2022
Messages
36
Location
Apex
I just store my powder in the original containers on a shelf. As mentioned above you don't want to confine them in a metal cabinet or something that will build pressure if there is a fire
 

49ereric

WKR
Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
901
Just the way it came in the 60’s I assume.
ww 2 pull down powder probably from 20mm.
 

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Sled

WKR
Joined
Jun 11, 2018
Messages
2,265
Location
Utah
Just the way it came in the 60’s I assume.
ww 2 pull down powder probably from 20mm.

Up until a decade ago I was still shooting Korean war era propellant. Now I shoot Vietnam era propellant that is inspected annually. Some fail and are destroyed.

I'd put that old 4831 the sniff test before I started loading ammo with it.
 

49ereric

WKR
Joined
Jun 21, 2022
Messages
901
Up until a decade ago I was still shooting Korean war era propellant. Now I shoot Vietnam era propellant that is inspected annually. Some fail and are destroyed.

I'd put that old 4831 the sniff test before I started loading ammo with it.
Smells fine. Used some a few years ago in my 6.5mag and went bang just fine.
 
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