Newbie safety question

[I0sens]

Hi

Ever since I started to reload myself a few months ago I am wondering what
would happen in a house fire.

I know that gun powder is technically not an explosive and will "just" burn.
But what about loaded ammunition?

I absence of a constricting barrel, are bullets just going to pop or what ?
I guess I have to call myth busters to find out.

(I do store all my stuff in a miltary metal ammo storage box but they are not a fire resistant safe either).

What's your thoughts or even experience?

 

[Jesse Heywood]

The firemen won't be happy!

Each round will go bang, blowing out the side of the case. And pieces will go flying, depending on the load and how things are stored. Not a pleasant situation, but nowhere near as bad as what is shown in the movies.

It's your idea and I don't remember that mythbusters has done that one. Submit it and see what happens.

 

[mongoose33]

Mythbusters actually did do something like this--they tested a myth about storing ammo in an oven.

None of it exited the oven when it went off. If you think about it, unless the case is pressing against something to provide a base, the case will go flying further and faster than will the bullet. And with the lack of a chamber, as soon as that bullet exits the case, what happens to the pressure?

 

[rfwobbly]

It's not the bullet that goes flying, it's the brass in the shape of some wicked shrapnel. That's why you never throw bullets into the campfire.

 

[rcmodel]

Flying primers have enough velocity to do some real damage.

I did some testing a couple of years ago and .22 RF brass, all primers, and case shrapnel from certain handgun calibers were dangerous at close range.
Bullets were not.

See this about that:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4735515&postcount=20

If you want reduced risks from stored ammo, buy some GI surplus steel ammo cans to put it in.

They were designed to contain ammo fragments in a fire.
The lid seal will melt and the lid latch will spring open enough to release pressure and prevent a powder explosion.

rc

 

[ka041a]

I don't think my ammo, gunpowder, and primers are any more dangerous than the gallon can of gasoline i have in my garage for the lawn mower or all the spray paint cans!

 

[I0sens]

Thanks for the replies.
Makes me sleep somewhat better.
Although.. 1500 pieces of brass shrapnel...

Well, as I said they are in some GI steel ammo boxes