Question about Powder

[kingpin008]

Hey ya'll.

I'm still researching what I'll need to start reloading, and trying to decide whether now is the right time for me to start or not.

My question for today, is this: If I come across a decent price on powder, but still haven't come to the point where I'm 100% certain I want to start reloading, what is the best way to store a few lbs. of powder?

I'm talking about an 8 lb. keg or less, in the original container. Am I ok just keeping it in a dark, cool place, or do I need some type of storage locker? I have a small sheet-steel locker I salvaged from an abandoned hospital that I keep my loaded ammo in, and if that would work, I'd be fine with keeping it there.

Also, how long can one keep powder (in the proper conditions) without the powder starting to degrade and become unsafe to handle/load? I'd imagine it's a period of years or decades, but I wanted to ask ya'll to be sure.

Thanks!

 

[lordgroom]

No special stoprage instructions for that small amount of powder. A cool dry place is perfect. Make sure the humidity is not too high. A basement is better than a garage or shed. If sealed and stored in the way described above, powder can last many years. I have heard of posters from this forum using decades old powder.

Buy in stages is a great way to get started. Buy what you can afford, when you find a good deal. It spreads the initial cost over many weeks/ months.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If I were you I would forget about storing powder in a steel locker. On the very outside change the powder would ignite the rapid expansion would probably cause the steel locker to fragment and send steel shrapnel all over your basement. Not a good scenario if someone is in the path of the fragments.

 

[Sunray]

"...talking about an 8 lb. keg..." Don't even think about buying that much powder until you've been loading for a while and have worked up a load that shoots well out of your firearm. Even buying a pound isn't a great idea. Too much depends on what cartridge you're thinking about loading for. Buy a powder that isn't suitable for the cartridges you have and you've wasted a pile of money. 8 pound kegs aren't cheap. Even on sale. Most shops don't carry them, in stock, due to local commercial storage laws, anyway.
Quit thinking about it and jump. It's not difficult nor dangerous. Plus reloading eliminates the endless search for the best price for ammo and you'll be shooting ammo that is tailored to your firearms.
Look into an RBCS Beginner's Kit. Gives you everything you'll need less dies and shell holder. Comes with a Speer manual, that'll do just fine, but buy a Lyman manual too. It's far more versatile.
"...send steel shrapnel all over your basement..." Smokeless powder does not explode. It just burns rapidly. However, if the steel cabinet is air tight, bad things can happen. A regular big steel box is no problem.
"...and become unsafe to handle/load?..." It won't. It just won't burn properly. That's not good. How long varies by the powder.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I hope my saying "On the very outside chance the powder would ignite the rapid expansion would probably..." didn't give the impression I was saying it would explode. I used the word ignite so as not to give anyone the impression the powder would explode.

Like Sunray said, Smokeless powder doesn't explode like Black Powder would.

 

[243winxb]

http://www.alliantpowder.com/safety/storage.htm

 

[evan price]

...trying to decide whether now is the right time for me to start...

Sir, the right time to start was about five years ago. Prices now are getting worse and worse. It's always the right time to start reloading, especially if you have any ammunition that's expensive, like revolver or .45's.

Were I just starting out the first thing I would do is lay in a supply of brass for the calibers you will shoot. Properly stored brass lasts nearly forever. Next would be bullets. those items do not need a haz-mat ticket to ship- so if you decide not to load they are easiest sold.
I would not worry about powder and primers until closer to the time to use them.

If you're talking pistol, get a cheap Lee Pro-1000 and start making ammo. Rifle, a Lee Classic Cast Turret. If you want to go on, sell it and get what you really want.

 

[Seafarer12]

Just keep it in a spare closet. Just keep it sealed up. If you decide not to use it sell it.

 

[qajaq59]

"...talking about an 8 lb. keg..." Don't even think about buying that much powder until you've been loading for a while and have worked up a load that shoots well out of your firearm. Even buying a pound isn't a great idea. Too much depends on what cartridge you're thinking about loading for.

I have to go along with Sunray on this one. You may end up with 8 lbs of powder that doesn't work well in any of your rifles. Wait until you get ready to load and then start with 1 lb containers until you know exactly what powder works best. However if you've already bought it just store it in a cool dry spot away from any ignition source and it'll be fine. And don't put it in any sealed, strong cabinets that can turn into a bomb.

 

[brickeyee]

On the very outside change the powder would ignite the rapid expansion would probably cause the steel locker to fragment and send steel shrapnel all over your basement. Not a good scenario if someone is in the path of the fragments.

The "rapid expansion" will actually be rather slow since the burning rate depends on the pressure.
A 'bursting' type accident from smokeless is a very long way from a detonation from explosives or black powder.

That said, storing smokeless in anything tightly sealed IS asking for trouble.
Even the typical 'powder magazine' recommendation is a wooden enclosure with a 'weak wall' to prevent any significant pressure buildup.

Purchase one pound cans until you find a powder and load to your liking, only then is it worth moving up to larger containers.