Preparing for bad times while it is good

[Reloadron]

Any idea of a minimum safe low temperature for primer storage?

CCI recommends storing primers in a cool, dry place avoiding extreme high or low temperatures.

Ah, the classic cool dry place. I took the time to ask CCI exactly what a cool dry place was and as always they responded so for future reference here is a cool dry place:

Ron,

If the temperature was kept between 50 and 80 degrees and 40% humidity or less your primers would store for a very long time.

Cody B./Technical Service Rep.
2299 Snake River Ave.
Lewiston, ID 83501
Alliant/Blazer/CCI/Speer
(800)379-1732

Every time I have asked CCI a question via email within a day or two I get a reply. They are really good about answering questions.

Ron

 

[cfullgraf]

Thanks Ron.

So, storing primers in one of my pole barns is probably not the best idea for the life of the primers unless I add some climate control for the primer storage.

Shucks.

 

[Reloadron]

Thanks Ron.

So, storing primers in one of my pole barns is probably not the best idea for the life of the primers unless I add some climate control for the primer storage.

Shucks.

Yeah but even at extremes they last a long, long time.

As to being prepared? Whenever I am out wandering aimlessly if I see a good price on something (ammunition or components) I go ahead and buy it. Being retired and doing well even my wife will ask "is that a good price"? I say yes and she says buy some. Things like ammunition and reloading components last a long time.

Ron

 

[Nature Boy]

I have a ton of stuff right now.

I've thought about adding to my pile of components while things are cheaper and plentiful. I've even had items in my "cart" several times lately but couldn't pull the trigger.

I may need to take inventory and rethink my strategy

 

[Axis II]

i really hate when you guys post things like this! it makes me go into panic mode and want to go buy more. right now im at 3k rifle primers that ill probably have for the next 5-6yrs. 3k spp, 1k lpp, 500LR, that will all last me 2-3yrs.

 

[Jonesy814]

I only load for handguns and keep enough components on hand for 2-3 years worth of shooting. For me that's 10,000-12,000 rounds.

 

[bantam9]

S&B primers $19.99/1000 @ Cabela's right now!!!

 

[bantam9]

S&B primers $19.99/1000 @ Cabela's right now!!!

there was also a 10% off and free shipping code somewhere too. A $20 hazardous fee.

 

[Nature Boy]

right now im at 3k rifle primers that ill probably have for the next 5-6yrs. 3k spp, 1k lpp, 500LR, that will all last me 2-3yrs.

You know what that sounds like?

A good start

 

[Hokie_PhD]

You know what that sounds like?

A good start

I was thinking the same thing.
Two to three years seems like a very short time to me. I'd say if I shoot what I'm shooting now I'm at about that point. I'd rather have two or three times that though as a minimum.

And I'm starting to shoot more. And thinking of trying competition once I get a little better and get the AR finished and a holster for the pistol. At that point I'll keep up my plan of buying at least twice what I shoot which should hopefully help me
Keep building up my supply.

Of course, since I'm reloading, I put what I'd spend on those components in an envelope then buy in bulk when there is enough to make a bulk purchase. Bullets buy the 1000s at RMR, primers by 1000 or hopefully 5000 the next time, and I'm working up to 8 lb jugs of powder instead of 1lb ones.

8 lbs of pistol powder goes a lot further than rifle ;-)

 

[thomas15]

I need about 40,000 small pistol primers to last me 5 years.

 

[Nature Boy]

Since I just started reloading for pistol I know I'm really short on those primers

 

[thomas15]

Since I just started reloading for pistol I know I'm really short on those primers

As of this day I have the 40k small pistol primers I need. However, 25k are CCIs or S&B/Remington and so forth. Only 15k are Federals which are what I use in my revolvers. If I could buy 10k Federals I would do so right now but alas they are rare in these parts.

 

[Nature Boy]

As of this day I have the 40k small pistol primers I need. However, 25k are CCIs or S&B/Remington and so forth. Only 15k are Federals which are what I use in my revolvers. If I could buy 10k Federals I would do so right now but alas they are rare in these parts.

I actually have 11k Federal 210M rifle primers so I think I'm OK for now on those

 

[Walkalong]

So you have them all!

 

[Schwing]

thehighroad5[/B] and THR ID in order comment box) - https://rmrbullets.com/shop/bullets-for-reloading/9mm-115-grain-rmr-fmj/?v=7516fd43adaa

I didn't realize those are around .07 per bullet. Just ordered 2k. I figure I just spent $700 on a PX4 so I should be able to hide another $150.

 

[Nature Boy]

So you have them all!

I might. I came across a case of 5k recently at a gun show and was only going to take one box, but the guy said he'd make me a deal on the whole thing so I took it

 

[Walkalong]

I have about 400ish left, but I don't shoot as much as you do. I will need to buy 1 or 2 K local one of these days or order 5K online at some time.

 

[Kingcreek]

For at least 30 years I've been stocking up when I found bargains and stockpiling components to use when supply was lean. I have never felt like I couldn't shoot as much as I wanted because of a shortage.
I guess that's how I ended up where I am now. Full ammo cans stacked 3 rows high along the wall with cast bullets or loaded rounds, buckets bags and boxes full of sorted brass, over 100 pounds of various powders, and I'm now using primers with price tags showing I paid $12 per K back when. A couple weeks ago my grand daughters shot up most of a brick (500) .22LR that was marked $15.50 but no biggie as there are at least 6 more bricks on the shelf and piles of 100s. I probably have components on hand to load another 10K pistol rounds and 5-6K of rifle. I spose I'm short with shotgun loads and only 3-4 cases each of 12 and 20g. If I had to move it all it would fill my full size truck higher than the box rails and put the 3/4 ton springs well into the overloads.

 

[medalguy]

The thing to remember about powder storage and temperatures is that powder is a chemical, and chemical reactions (including deterioration) are highly temperature dependent. So, I would think that a very low temperature would be preferred for long term storage. A chemical that's not water-based doesn't know that water freezes at 32 F. I can't imagine a problem with minus-zero temperatures causing any problem.

 

[Walkalong]

Powder begins breaking down the minute it is made. I have 40 year old powder that is good, I've had 15 year old powder go bad. And that was stored in modest temps inside. Just hope we can continue to buy powder 40 years from now.

Joined the NRA? Contributed to any pro gun politicians? Write your local and national politicians lately?

 

[Reloadron]

Just hope we can continue to buy powder 40 years from now.

I will hope for the sake of my grand kids as while I like longevity I just don't quite see 107 years old in my future, but a nice thought.

Ron

 

[Walkalong]

I won't be here in 40 years either, unless I make 100.

Our biggest weapon against running out of components is protecting the 2nd Amendment and the shooting sports. Period. Anything else is a stop gap measure for a temporary shortage.

 

[Reloadron]

I won't be here in 40 years either, unless I make 100.

Our biggest weapon against running out of components is protecting the 2nd Amendment and the shooting sports. Period. Anything else is a stop gap measure for a temporary shortage.

Absolutely because if we do not protect our rights not only will we loose them but our children's children will never enjoy them. We are watching as rights are taken away and we have a responsibility to defend and preserve those rights, not just for us, but for future generations.

Ron

 

[wally]

storing primers in one of my pole barns is probably not the best idea for the life of the primers unless I add some climate control for the primer storage

In my experience 15-20 years in a non-heated but reasonably well insulated outbuilding has caused no issues with primer or powder in Texas heat and hummidity, but I don't use a lot of different powder types. Primers I've always bought lots of whatever was "on sale".

IMHO as long as you don't need to worry about theft from your pole barn, my experience suggests storing them there inside an "Igloo" ice chest should be fine. It'll keep them dry and moderate the temperature swings.