storing powder in a zip-loc bag

[willymc]

After dove season, last year, I had to do some reloading. I bought 8# of WST. I loaded some shells, filled some empty 1# bottles and had about 2# of powder left over. Not wanting to keep the bulky 8# bottle around, I poured the powder into a freezer zip-loc bag. I put that bag into another bag and stored that in a cool, dark place. I took the powder out today to load some shells and I noticed the bags had a slight brown tinge to them. I got to wondering if I made a mistake storing the powder in a freezer zip-loc.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Plastic bags have chemicals that can leach out and interact with the solvents in the powder. You might have changes the chemical composition of the powder. Smell the powder and if it still smells like solvent it's probably fine. If it smells like acid or have a different smell than fresh powder does, you now have 2 lbs of fertilizer.

 

[willymc]

I'll go give it a sniff.

 

[willymc]

Just gave it the sniff test. It smells the same as the powder that I put in the 1# black bottles last year. Sounds like I'm good to go. I'll just keep loading until I have the zip-loc powder used up. The real test will be when I go for second season dove and quail after Thanksgiving. Thanks!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hope it works out for you but in the future, when you have most of a 8lb jug left over, just leave it in the original jug. It's a safe practice to leave any powder in the original jug anyway...

 

[gamestalker]

Honestly, you are developing a bad habit that could get you in serious trouble. It's never a good idea to store powder in any container not intended or labeled properly. Even if you do write on a baggie as to the contents, it isn't going to have the distinctive label that is so obvious with the original container, which by the way help us to recognize it's contents. And it is possible to unintentionally change the burn property of the powder depending on the container one decides to substitute with. A clear baggie allows light in which can change the burn property and the quality of the powder.

GS

 

[7mmb]

Light can cause chemical changes with powder too. That is why all powder comes in black plastic containers. I doubt the plastic bag is the problem, powders come in plastic, it's the light that kills it. Always keep powder in the container it came in. That way you always know what it is, and you don't ruin it.

 

[Sport45]

Not all plastics are created equal...

I'll second the notion of keeping powder in powder containers. I keep my old powder cans and will re-label them with powder name, lot number and date of purchase.

I've also used a good bit of surplus powder that came to me in bleach jugs. I haven't looked to see if bleach jugs are made of the same plastic as powder jugs, but never had trouble with them.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I don't know if the plastic will affect the powder if stored as you sescribe but you say the powder has already affected the plastic. It's probably much more brittle even just now. We've all heard of plastic hoppers becoming crazed (hairline cracks), etched and discolored in a very short time.
Also, hopefully it's well labeled with a card tied to the bag or inside it to include date of purchase, lot number etc.
I sure wouldn't get in the habit of that. Maybe keep old singles for that purpose and label the crap out of them in the future.