HS-6 storage

I just bought 7lbs of hs-6 in an 8lb jug. I won't use all of it for quite a while and was considering putting it in empty 1 pound hp-38 jugs I have. I thought the powder would store better in full containers rather than having all that air in a half or less full 8 lb. jug. Provided the old jugs are clean, labels removed and relabled clearly wouldn't it be wise to repackage it?

 

I'd leave it. Less chance of a screw up happening, even with the labels removed. Make sure the lid is tight and it's stored in a cool, dark place and it should be good for years.

 

I repackage all my powders in smaller, properly labeled containers so as to minimize powder loss should I blunder and cross contaminate one or more.

It has not caused any issues preserving any of them

 

I might try to start by just squeezing the air out of the big container. You won't get all the air out, but most of it would be helpful, depending on how much you annually use. Have any shooting buddies that save 1 pound plastic cans? I have and did. We used to buy 8# of shotgun powder and then split it up among friends. I like the idea of using containers that are already marked, Danger etc. and then add a label for what's in it.

 

BTDT with WC820 and BR-5. I filled the new 1 lb bottles that I had cleaned and very clearly marked (4 or 5, 1/2" Brother tape labels on sides and cap of new bottle). Caps on snug and not opened until previous jug is empty. Works for me...

 

I don't think you have to worry about it going bad. I'm using some up form the 80's, still good. Store it properly away from heat and high humidity and you should be good for 30-40+ years.

 

I would pour powder in the yard before I put it in a container it doesn’t belong in.

I don’t mind transferring say a pound of HS-6 from a large container to a 1pound HS-6 can, just so I have a little handy at the bench. Some wouldn’t even like that idea.

 

I do it with all my powders in large containers, transfer them into the smaller one pound containers.

I did not have a 1 lb for Longshot, so I scanned the 8lb label resized it and printed on photo paper, then used spray glue to put on a 1 lb bottle. Looks like factory,

 

Good to know the properly stored powder will last until I'm 102-112 years old long after I've been properly stored.

 

I’ll only be 98. Sooo.. can I have your stash?

 

I use HS6 from like 2008. I think the main things are keep it sealed and dry.

 

The only downside to keeping it in the origional large container is the room it takes up when only a LB is left. I have taken a bunch of smaller single pound cans and combined them in a keg and mixed well. Then I work up a load for the entire 8 LBS. I do put all the lot numbers on the big bottle just in case. I have never had trouble mixing lots but do this with caution.

 

Routine for me.

Although when I started loading 12 ga, my neighbor the gunsmith furnished me some 700X to get started with... in blue 4064 cans with broad bands of masking tape marked 700X. I got in the habit and I reached for that blue can with the brown band for as long as I loaded 12 gauge.

 

I've got some HS-6 from

I do the same thing. Several one pounders of different lots (N.B. - the same powder, different lots) mixed together makes one lot.

I was relating this to some folks on another form, I could hear their eyes bugging out as they typed their incredulous replies. They were certain I was courting an incendiary death, complete with missing body parts.

Sigh...

 

LOL I still have all 12 fingers and all four eyes after doing this for decades.

 

The biggest danger is always the human factor. Mixing up lots isn’t nearly as dangerous as mixing up powder types. And even that can be a non-event if they’re two powders that are similar chemically. I wouldn’t recommend making a habit of blending (as examples) 700X and Bullseye but, if you accidentally drop a few grains of Bullseye in your 700X because you grabbed the wrong 1lb’er, I wouldn’t toss it all in a fire.

 

A friend once dumped a measure of Varget in his A2520 can, or maybe the other way 'round.
Those are very different granulations and I was able to scrounge some testing sieves from the lab at work and find one that gave a clean separation, salvaging all his powder.

 

I too routinely pour powder from 8-pound kegs into properly labeled 1-pound canisters. Less oxidation in the large container from frequent opening.

 

If a person is not smart enough or careful enough to pour a container of one type of powder into a small one of the same powder, perhaps they should not be reloading or any other time things, Even the same powder of different lot numbers, a small amount left and into a full container shake lightly, not stirred will be fine.
Hold my beer and watch this and post on YouTube.

 

Either way.

Personally I like to store in smaller containers. I have my shelving set up for 1 lbers except the top shelf which I house 4 lbers on.

But I wouldn’t be worried about the powder being stored in its original 8 lb container.

As long as the storage area is cool and dry I don’t think it matters.

 

^^ This

 

I trade powders with a friend. Someone will buy a pound of a new powder and give some to the other to try. We use empty 1lb bottles, remove the original label, and tape a handmade label to the bottle with all the necessary info. These bottles get emptied and reused often.