Suitable Powder Container?

[WaltWhite]

I have what was once an 8lb container of powder. Over the years it has slowly diminished and now it's about a pound or less. It's still in the original container and I'd like to decant it into something smaller if possible as it's taking up room in my safe I can use for other things. What're recommended storage vessels for powder beyond the original container (if anything).

 

[Mule]

A previously used one pound container, properly labeled.

 

[cfullgraf]

Personally, I am a fan of leaving it in the original container.

Others will not agree.

 

[rcmodel]

As long as it is kept in the dark, and air tight?

You can put it in anything air-tight you wish.

Tupperware comes to mind.
Or screw-top decanters from Wal-Mart.

I still have a partial pound of Alcan shotgun powder that is over 40 years old still in the paper bag it was sold in.
Inside a small metal coffee can with a snap-top plastic lid.
Still smells good as new!

The only thing is, whatever you put it in?

Clearly mark it with the powder type and lot number of the original container it came out of.
And the date you did it!

rc

 

[Rule3]

I use empty 1lb powder containers. I scan the label from the large one , reduce it and glue/tape it to the container.

Other plastic containers may be damaged by the powder so you need to be careful. You also want a dark color.

 

[rcmodel]

Stick with polypropylene plastic containers like the Tupperware I mentioned and powder will not harm it in a lifetime.

Polystyrene and other types of plastic containers not so much, at all.

rc

 

[gahunter12]

I keep (1) 1lb container for each powder I use. I use a piece of tape to label the Lot#. I always keep the 1lb container full, and that's what goes to the bench with me. I would also rethink keeping powder in your safe. Sealed safe + powder + fire = high pressure Booom.

 

[rcmodel]

+1000 on the 'Don't store powder in a Safe' advice!!

It's much safer setting on an open shelf in the basement then sealed up in a 'monster pipe bomb' safe that can't release pressure fast enough in a fire.

rc

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i was able to snag an OSHA flammable materials cabinet that was being scrapped by a contractor at work. just needed cleaning. it's just a double-wall metal cabinet with vent holes.

 

[jmorris]

Personally, I am a fan of leaving it in the original container.

Others will not agree.

I agree. It seems silly to have a 20 lb keg with a pound or less in it but I have never mixed anything up only having one container out at a time and putting things back where they came from.

As long as it is kept in the dark, and air tight?

You can put it in anything air-tight you wish.

I wouldn't put them in things like glass or steel containers, anything that would look to someone like you had created a bomb would be a bad idea.

 

[zxcvbob]

The best is empty 1 lb powder containers. But opaque liquid laundry detergent bottles are the right kind of plastic and work well (HDPE, I think) I have a couple of them in use.

Write the powder name on in permanent marker. Put the lot number, date, and any other pertinent info on a stickon label.

 

[higgite]

As mentioned already, it's best to remove it from your safe. That solves the "space in your safe" problem, and if you have another suitable place to store the 8lb container, it also solves your container problem. Just a thought.

 

[WaltWhite]

My "safe" is just an old refrigerator I have a padlock on. I'm pretty sure the door would blow open and the pressure released pretty easy. It's where I keep accessories and reloading stuff.

Hmm I guess I'll just keep it in the original container then since I don't have empty powder containers and laundry detergent is almost as cumbersome as the original container.

...Aren't milk jugs HDPE?

 

[Rule3]

There are many grades of HDPE. Milk cartons are not thick enough.

If you lived near by I would gladly give you some empty 1lb jars.

You can put the powder in a labeled Zip Lock type FREEZER bag (heavy) and then put it in a small LABELED cardboard box. Heck they used to sell powder in paper bags,

But the best, correct answer is the original container.

 

[gamestalker]

I don't have any experience in repackaging powders, or any other component for that matter, it's just not a practice I indulge in for obvious safety reasons. But all personal opinion aside, what about a mason jar, that's properly labeled of course. The only thing about a mason jar, or any container that allows light in, is be sure to keep it out of direct light.

GS

 

[zxcvbob]

Hmm I guess I'll just keep it in the original container then since I don't have empty powder containers and laundry detergent is almost as cumbersome as the original container.
Hmm I guess I'll just keep it in the original container then since I don't have empty powder containers and laundry detergent is almost as cumbersome as the original container.

Small laundry detergent bottles. They are just a little bigger than Alliant 1 lb powder jars.

...Aren't milk jugs HDPE?

Not sure if they are PET or HDPE, but either way they are too thin.

 

[41 Mag]

I have several Hodgdon/IMR bottles, a few Accurate, and several from Alliant laying up on the shelf in my powder closet. When I break into a big jug of 4 or more pounds, I usually jot down all of the pertinent info on a 4x6 label, and simply slap it on one of the empty one pound jugs, and fill to just below the rim.

I can easily keep things sorted out this way as in most cases I am at least putting the same brand powder into the same type and style container it should usually come in. I really wished I had picked up more of the half pound jugs that Alliant put out there for a while. Those are really handy, and don't take up much space either.

 

[1911 guy]

Empty one pound container of the same type powder, write the actual lot number on some tape somewhere. I've seen guys have to pitch several pounds of powder because transferring it to smaller containers "just this one time" turned into several powders in several containers, none clearly marked "because I'll remember just one container".

Either use it up or put it into a properly marked container, preferably a smaller container that once held the same brand and type of powder.