Reloading area questions

[RB98SS]

I was perusing a thread the other day -- cant seem to find it now -- that had some discussion in regards to the safety aspect of where people were storing their powders and primers. Many it seemed had their reloading bench and supplies in their sheds or garages. Being in Minnesota and not having the luxury of a heated garage, I have my "loading" room in an old bedroom that my daughter used to be in before she moved on. It has now sorta been converted into a reloading/sewing room that the wife and I share.

Anyway, its carpeted and is as nice as any finished room in the house. I installed an L shaped countertop with drawers and cabinets to store whatever the wife and I needed for our hobbies. I've been storing my powder and primers in the cabinets that are designated as "mine" but was wondering if there is any issue with this.

Where and how do you guys store your reloading supplies?

Thanks, Gary

 

[rcmodel]

In the basement.

I keep primers in .50 cal GI ammo cans.

Powder is in original containers in a light sheetmetal locking cabinet.

Both will contain them from flying around in the event of a house fire.

rc

 

[buck460XVR]

nope sounds pretty standard...a lot like my area. Only thing I see wrong is the carpet...I have wood floors in my reloading area. Hard to get spilled powder outta carpet without using a vacuum. Vacuuming produces static which can produce a spark, which can lead to pissin' your wife off after you set fire to her favorite vacuum.

 

[Walkalong]

That is pretty standard, but the Ammo Can is the safer way if you can, even if you put the can in the same cabinet where you keep them now.

 

[nksmfamjp]

I keep it all in the safe which is humidity controlled. Humidity control is key. Especially the primers. I think they could be kept in 50 cal ammo cans with dessecant safely for a long time. Powder is sealed. Just make sure the seals are good.

A safe or fire cabinet just would give you some fire resistance.

 

[lgbloader]

Ammo can contains my primers too. Powders are in their original containers as well.

LGB

 

[mkl]

I keep the powders and primers in "my" room in our house. Wooden cabinets, primers and powder in original containers and ten feet apart.

As long as you keep those components under normal indoor conditions, they will last almost forever.

Only problem I see is the carpet. As has been said, getting spilled powder out, or finding dropped primers in, is more difficult. Vacuum cleaners will let you know, however, when they pick up a primer, spent or used. Won't set off a live one thank goodness.

When we did the house remodel, I put wood floors in "my" room.

 

[snuffy]

I keep it all in the safe which is humidity controlled. Humidity control is key. Especially the primers. I think they could be kept in 50 cal ammo cans with dessecant safely for a long time. Powder is sealed. Just make sure the seals are good.

Humidity has no effect on primers. The active part, the pellet is sealed with a lacquer so they aren't harmed by moisture. It don't hurt powder either. But why not keep it sealed up tight. What you want to avoid is sunlight on the powder. Since modern powder is sold in black plastic, it is immune to sunlight, but again why sit it in front of a window?

My powder and primers sit side by side on a shelf in my bedroom. We get along just fine.

 

[matrem]

Spent 25 yrs loading in basement.(zero problems) Last 10 on the landing: read; the not used room upstairs.(Wife & daughter have a tendency to utilize most empty spaces for "storage").As long as it's fairly dry & not "in the way", You'll be fine.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Sounds good to me (until the wife says she needs more room and you will just have to move)...

 

[Walkalong]

The ones pictured are inside the Cat enclosure. It used to be a switchgear for a Generator. I gutted it and put in shelves. The extras, not these, are stored more carefully.

 

[lgbloader]

You know, I forgot to answer where my Handload area is. so here goes...

My Cave is in the garage and I have my main set up out there but I have a small bench next to my recliner in the family room that I use to crank out some rounds as well. I am very careful with the powder since this room is carpeted.

Case in point tonight, I hand loaded 53 rounds of 375 Winchester (A-Z) and the only thing I did in the Cave was tumble the brass (and cast the Boolits). I did everything else on the mini bench in the family room... Old School style.

LGB.

 

[novaDAK]

dehumidified basement. Primers/powder/loaded ammo is kept in a wooden cabinet. I have some 20+ year old primers/powder that work just fine yet and that's how they've been stored the whole time.

 

[rockhound758]

I reload in the basement, but I have dehumidifiers running so it's pretty dry. I keep primers stored in plastic containers (not too many per container) with some dessicant in each one--although probably not needed. I keep my powder in an unused, unplugged vertical freezer (also with some dessicant) which has a door that does not latch, so if the worst happens it won't hold pressure if the powder burns.

For anyone keeping a fair amount of powder in a safe, you might want to rethink that. From what I've read, the last place you want to keep powder is someplace where pressure could build if it was to burn. The thought of a gun safe turning into a bomb in the event of a fire is pretty frightening.

 

[RB98SS]

Thanks guys, great info as usual.

Gary

 

[45ACPUSER]

From CCI Web Site

Priming Storage and Safety
Modern primers, with proper storage, have incredibly long shelf life (in spite of rumors to the contrary that ran amuck in 1993-4). For storage and safety, primers must be left in their original packaging. Find an area with low humidity and reasonably constant temperature. High humidity combined with big temperature swings can degrade primer performance. Dehumidifying equipment must be flameless to avoid accidents. Check for local regulations on the quantity of primers that can be stored in a residence and adhere to those regulations.

Modern primer packaging is designed to protect primers from mass detonation in the event they are in a fire or the package it dropped. In a fire, current packaging design results in a series of small "pops" as individual primers cook off.

Never store primers in a tightly closed metal container like an ammo can. To do so is to risk a devastating explosion complete with deadly metal fragments from the can. Such confinement can make the discharge of one or two primers instantaneously progress to a high-order event involving all primers in the can.

Never store primers in bulk, that is, removed from their factory packaging and placed in another container. When loading, dump out only ten to twenty primers at a time. When the session is over, return all primers to their original containers before putting them away.

Primer are best stored in a vented wooden box or cabinet with a loosely attached door or lid. This allows the pressure to vent in the case of fire or a few primers detonating in the container. Wood acts as an heat insulation to slow the transmission of heat to the primers.

Mark primer packages with the date of purchase and use them in the order received. This rotates your stock so no box is forgotten.

All reloading components including primers must be stored away from access by children or persons with impaired judgment.

Above all, apply a healthy dose of common sense to primer handling as well as all your handloading activities.