Powder/primer purchasing & storage

[ChuckG]

I have some beginner questions for those with experience..

Powder and primers... Can this stuff can be pack-ratted away in it's component form and last indefinitely? And how long do primers and powder last after the jug or packaging has been opened?

I know there is a limit to how much can be stored. But even two 8lb. jugs of power might take me a while to burn through. Still I'd like to buy in bulk now vs. pay more for the same thing later.

Or is the best option to just buy in bulk and load everything, storing the finished cartridges properly?

Thanks for any advice you might have!

[ocabj]

Inside the house is good enough. Anywhere that is dry to low humidity, and is not subject to a wide range to temp variations. I keep my powder in a wood cabinet. I also keep primers in a wood cabinet, that is seperate from the powder.

[Fjold]

I'm still shooting from bulk purchases of W231 and Bullseye powders that I bought in the early 80's. As long as powder hasn't been subjected to a lot of temperature extremes and moisture, it will keep for decades. I'm also shooting primers given to me by a friend who bought them in the 60's.

The limit on gunpowder in homes is usually set by the city or county that you live in although someone mentioned a State limit last year. (If someone remembers this please post it)

Unless you have a source of cheap brass, buying that much brass really cuts into the savings that you gained by reloading.

[tteng]

[QUOTE=ChuckG;514557]..Or is the best option to just buy in bulk and load everything, storing the finished cartridges properly?...
QUOTE]

To start, make small batch of different powder/bullet combinations until you find your pet-load. After that then buy the powder in bulk.

[Gunsrruss]

I was always buying.....

Everytime I turned around I was buying something Wiedners had LC 84 .308 cases on sale for 49.99 per thousand new pull down. I got 2000. Then Bartletts had LC 91 on sale and I got 2000. Then it was LC 68 Match 30.06. Got 2000 of those. 2000 30.06 LC69. Then I looked at Bartlets one day and they had LC99 .223 pull down brass for 48.00 a thousand, and I ordered 5000. Then there's the powder. Before I knew it I had over a hundred lbs. of powder Not to mention the Military 173gr bullets. I was paying .10 cents a piece for those. Now they are no longer for sale. I have about 5500 of them and looking for more Have a leed on a few thousand that hasn't materialized yet. I'm sure I will eventually get them. Primers I buy 5000 at a time, small rifle and large rifle. But now were broke. I have this half million dollar house in the mountains and it's taking everything. The bad news is I'll run out of primers in about 2 years

[LCAZES]

If stored sealed in the original packaging away from wide temp swings, powder can last for many years. I am still using some powders that I bought 10 years ago without any problems. Primers also are very stable.....You can save a lot of money buying in bulk. I buy 8-12K of montana gold handgun bullets at a time as well and brass in lots of 5K.

[ChuckG]

Thanks for all the replies!

[TheMan]

The limit on gunpowder in homes is usually set by the city or county that you live in although someone mentioned a State limit last year. (If someone remembers this please post it)

The state limit is 20 lbs. of smokeless powder. Over that, and it appears as though you need some sort of permit. It is in the Health and Safety code, section 12102:

12102. This chapter does not apply to any possession or use of 20
pounds or less of smokeless powder, or one pound or less of black
sporting powder, provided that:
(a) Smokeless powder is intended only for hand loading of small
arms ammunition of .75 caliber or less.
(b) Black sporting powder is intended for loading of small arms or
small arms ammunition of .75 caliber or less.
(c) All such powder is for private use and not for resale, and, in
the case of black sporting powder, there shall be no gift, delivery,
or other disposition to another person.
(d) The storage, use and handling of such smokeless and black
powder conforms to rules, regulations, or ordinances of authorities
having jurisdiction for fire prevention and suppression in the area
of such storage, use, and handling of such explosives.

Here is a great resource for looking up CA laws:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html