I am wanting to start reloading and looking at buying the Hornday Lock n Load kit for starters. My only question is can I do the reloading in my garage here in Houston or is it too humid to do so? I understand that I cannot store the powder or primers out in the humidity. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Reloading in Houston
- Thread starter hans1791
- Start date
- Status
I live in the Houston area and I have stored primers and powder in my garage for years without issues. The heat isn't supposed to be good for the powder and it may somewhat speed up decomposition but the only powder I had that went bad was over twenty years old. Never had any problems with primer failure. The biggest problem is trying to keep your dies from rusting up to bad.
qajaq59
Member
I'm in south Florida, but I've been to Houston many times, and you're about in the same situation that we are. During the summer months I keep the powder in the house and just bring out what I need that day.
rfwobbly
Member
Hans -
When you hear that primers and powder are heat and humidity sensitive, as SPW said we're talking about years and years. One way for you to mitigate your risks would be to simply buy in small lots to start. In other words, no 8 pound cans of powder until you get an idea of how fast the powder is consumed.
When you hear that primers and powder are heat and humidity sensitive, as SPW said we're talking about years and years. One way for you to mitigate your risks would be to simply buy in small lots to start. In other words, no 8 pound cans of powder until you get an idea of how fast the powder is consumed.
Quoheleth
Member
I'm in Houston and reload in my garage. Some of my powder is 3 years old; still good. Primers don't last that long 
No AC or heat. Summer gets pretty miserable, but I manage.
My biggest problem is rust FROM MY SKIN. I have very acidic perspiration. Things I touch rust if I don't wipe them down. My point is the humidity causes ME discomfort, not my gear.
Q
No AC or heat. Summer gets pretty miserable, but I manage. My biggest problem is rust FROM MY SKIN. I have very acidic perspiration. Things I touch rust if I don't wipe them down. My point is the humidity causes ME discomfort, not my gear.
Q
qajaq59
Member
You have that right!!! And casting bullets in the summer heat is no picnic either, lol
ny32182
Member
I've never lived in Houston long term, but worked there for three months in the middle of the summer a couple years ago.
I've been all over FL, and Houston has by far and away the worst humidity I have ever encountered anywhere. I don't know if there is a way to measure what kind of humidity is bad for components, but I can tell you that I, personally, would not store components outdoors there for any reason. I wouldn't keep the rest of my gear outside either, unless there was truly no other option.
I've been all over FL, and Houston has by far and away the worst humidity I have ever encountered anywhere. I don't know if there is a way to measure what kind of humidity is bad for components, but I can tell you that I, personally, would not store components outdoors there for any reason. I wouldn't keep the rest of my gear outside either, unless there was truly no other option.
Cut a hole in the wall and shore it up with 2x4's and stick a 110 window unit AC in it. I would think the powder would be OK if you keep the lids on tight and store your other stuff in a cooler (come to think of it, that might be a little inconvenient).
I have worse humidity when everything gets cold in the winter and we have a warmer day with hight humidity, condensation on everything. My wife wants to know why the hell I am running the window unit in the winter.
I just tell her to mind her own business, 26 years of marriage has it's advantages.
I have worse humidity when everything gets cold in the winter and we have a warmer day with hight humidity, condensation on everything. My wife wants to know why the hell I am running the window unit in the winter.
I just tell her to mind her own business, 26 years of marriage has it's advantages.
twice barrel
Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2009
- Messages
- 226
I kept my reloading gear in my garage when I lived in Atascocita for many years without problem. Even though the heat and humidity kept me away in late summer a light coat of oil on the exposed metal protected my gear just fine. Most of the year a man could get a lot done in the early morning or late evening. Good lighting was essential.
Spent many wonderful hours at Carter's Country near Cypress.
Regards,
TB
Spent many wonderful hours at Carter's Country near Cypress.
Regards,
TB
LeonCarr
Member
One word - Dehumidifier. The one that I use in my garage (Where I do my loading) removes about a gallon of water a day from the air on humid/rainy days. I have had no rust issues at all.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
rfwobbly
Member
Priorities!!
Priorities!! Most of us put the wife in the garage and move the reloading outfit to the middle of the living room.
Priorities!! Most of us put the wife in the garage and move the reloading outfit to the middle of the living room.
Winston_Smith
Member
Hans, dont know what part of Houston you are in but check out the 10ring.com for reloading supplies. I think it is the only reloading shop in town (other than big box stores).
Bare steel will rust in humid environments. I use Eezox as a rust inhibitor with good results.
Bare steel will rust in humid environments. I use Eezox as a rust inhibitor with good results.
oneounceload
member
Having lived in Houston previously and now in Florida, central, inland Florida is much more humid for longer periods during the year. I keep components inside and take them out to the garage when loading- works fine
- Status
