Is my powder okay in the garage?

[cfullgraf]

Heat is the enemy for powder and primers.

When I lived in South Catolina, we had a bonus room over the garage that was my hobby room. It had its own HVAC system thatvI would turn off when the room was not in use.

I stored my powder and primers in the main part of the house where the climate was controlled by the main house HVAC system.

When I planned to spend time in my hobby room, I’d turn on it’s HVAC when I got home from work. The temperature would be comfortable after dinner when I went up there to “play”.

All the other houses we have owned over the years, I have been able to have my hobby area climate controlled by the house HVAC system. When we built a house in New Orleans, the garage was really a shop and was climate controlled.

On our current small, horse farm in Tennessee,I built a 30’x30’ shop and, of course, it has it own HVAC system. It has a programable thermostat so I can economize the temperature settings when I’m not using it.

Bottom line, in black powder era, one kept their powder dry, now, with smokeless powder, also keep your powder cool.

 

[igotta40]

Thanks, looks like I’m moving it

 

[Bfh_auto]

I keep my powder in an ice chest in my room. It's in the ac and protected against temprature swings as much as possible. In a fire I can grab my stash and save it...

How big is your cooler?
I would have to make multiple trips.
My family photos and handful of heirloom guns would be much higher on my list.
Just remember fires are easily preventable.
The house fire I put it were a mash-up of toasters, coffee pots, people smoking, and chimney fires.

 

[Mark_Mark]

How big is your cooler?
I would have to make multiple trips.
My family photos and handful of heirloom guns would be much higher on my list.
Just remember fires are easily preventable.
The house fire I put it were a mash-up of toasters, coffee pots, people smoking, and chimney fires.

toaster are very dangerous because of the lack of safety’s. I keep my toast toaster unplugged when not in use. And no kidding, I keep my convection oven toast outside, with a near by fire extinguisher. Keeps the house from smelling like ribeye steak and onions

 

[mdi]

I can only share my experiences; When in So, CA I kept most of my components in an aluminum shed. Temps ranged from 40s to 100+ degrees. Humidity was from 50% to 99% and I lived within 2 miles of the ocean. Moved to coastal OR and built a nice shed (no A/C) about 900-1,000 yards from the ocean. Temps occasionally get to close to 100 degrees in the shed once or twice a summer,. I keep all my powders in original containers with lids on snug in a metal cabinet. Primers are kept in a plastic "under the bed style" container, on a shelf in the shed. I have primers maybe 20 years old (in my posssion, who knows when made) powders a bit older and have had zero bad primers or spoiled powder.

Careful Mark_Mark, someone will report you to the mods; "I thought this was a reloading forum!"...

 

[AJC1]

J

How big is your cooler?
I would have to make multiple trips.
My family photos and handful of heirloom guns would be much higher on my list.
Just remember fires are easily preventable.
The house fire I put it were a mash-up of toasters, coffee pots, people smoking, and chimney fires.

I dont have a lot of powder compared to some. Only 1 8lber.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I live in San Antonio. Store all my reloading supplies in the garage Powder and primers are enclosed in a container.

No it's not air conditioned. yes heat and humidity is on par with Houston.

No, I have never had any problems with primers or powder on reloads. The only problem is me in August when I reload and start sweating 5 minutes into it because of the heat/humidity.

CH

 

[Bfh_auto]

J

I dont have a lot of powder compared to some. Only 1 8lber.View attachment 1024325

I remember those days. Then I started believing the marketing. Then I started stocking 8 pounders. Then my brother started buying any unopened powder he finds at yard sales and brings it to me.
In return I keep his brass loaded with bullets.

 

[AJC1]

I remember those days. Then I started believing the marketing. Then I started stocking 8 pounders. Then my brother started buying any unopened powder he finds at yard sales and brings it to me.
In return I keep his brass loaded with bullets.

Volume one needs on hand varies a lot. A guy that shoots big magnums needs way more on hand than a guy like me. My biggest cartridge is 308 so I can make a lot with a little. Loading with 20ish grains of 4227 even a pound goes a long way. I'm still looking for my favorite loads. And enjoy testing new powders to learn and gain a diverse experience. Staying compact is a habit of a person that moves alot.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Volume one needs on hand varies a lot. A guy that shoots big magnums needs way more on hand than a guy like me. My biggest cartridge is 308 so I can make a lot with a little. Loading with 20ish grains of 4227 even a pound goes a long way. I'm still looking for my favorite loads. And enjoy testing new powders to learn and gain a diverse experience. Staying compact is a habit of a person that moves alot.

That is very true.
I've recently entered the shooting cast side as well. It's a blessing feeding 9-10 grains of titewad to a cartridge that usually takes 40 grains of powder.
I really liked imr4227 in 308. It gave great velocity for a low charge weight. With surprising accuracy.
My magnums have kicked my butt as far as cast bullets go.

 

[mdi]

Volume one needs on hand varies a lot. A guy that shoots big magnums needs way more on hand than a guy like me. My biggest cartridge is 308 so I can make a lot with a little. Loading with 20ish grains of 4227 even a pound goes a long way. I'm still looking for my favorite loads. And enjoy testing new powders to learn and gain a diverse experience. Staying compact is a habit of a person that moves alot.

Good thinking. I have a lot of powder and primers on hand because I stay prepared. I lived in earthquake country and learned to keep stocked up. Whenever I went to a store that sold powder, I'd drop by the sporting goods dept. and pick up a pound of powder or a brick of primers or 22s. When I went to a gun store to buy components, I'd buy one extra, not hoarding, just a little extra. Today if one of those liberal news reporters saw my stash they would report it as "tons of dangerous ammo and gun powder and thousands or rounds of ammo. The bomb squad had to evacuate a 3 block radius". IIRC; the largest powder charge I use is about 48.0 grains of IMR 4064 and I have one 8 lb jug and two single pounders. That'll reload a bunch of 308 or 30-06 rounds ...

 

[sparkyv]

Same story here, I'm just west of Houston.

I live in San Antonio. Store all my reloading supplies in the garage Powder and primers are enclosed in a container.

No it's not air conditioned. yes heat and humidity is on par with Houston.

No, I have never had any problems with primers or powder on reloads. The only problem is me in August when I reload and start sweating 5 minutes into it because of the heat/humidity.

CH

 

[AJC1]

Good thinking. I have a lot of powder and primers on hand because I stay prepared. I lived in earthquake country and learned to keep stocked up. Whenever I went to a store that sold powder, I'd drop by the sporting goods dept. and pick up a pound of powder or a brick of primers or 22s. When I went to a gun store to buy components, I'd buy one extra, not hoarding, just a little extra. Today if one of those liberal news reporters saw my stash they would report it as "tons of dangerous ammo and gun powder and thousands or rounds of ammo. The bomb squad had to evacuate a 3 block radius". IIRC; the largest powder charge I use is about 48.0 grains of IMR 4064 and I have one 8 lb jug and two single pounders. That'll reload a bunch of 308 or 30-06 rounds ...

Being prepared is a vertue and had I a more permanent situation I would have mountains.