Primers

[pklin1297]

Hello all,

What is the best and safest way to store primers? I was thinking about storing in a fire resistant gun safe located in the garage... Will that work? Will the heat in the garage (living in the Inland Empire) cause it to go off? How careful should I be while handling primers? Sorry for the newbie questions...

[Prc329]

I have a fear of primer so I am very careful. I always use safety glasses when priming. I like the hand primers because the "feel" is much better. Much easier to tell when you need to stop.

[sargenv]

Actually, you should store them per the California state fire marshall's directions. Generally you can find out that information within some reloading manuals. Usually something that is not tightly encased like a safe. If the area catches fire, you would want to have them go off without turning into a bomb. Smokeless powder storage is supposed to be in 1" thick wood rated for like an hour of fire, primers are similar. A lot of people store them in old refrigerators (not turned on) due to the fact that they are well insulated and do not allow much moisture in. So long as you keep them in their original containers for storage, you should have few issues.

[pklin1297]

Do primers go off easy?

[Hunter]

The key is to keep them in their original packaging and not just dump them in an container (it has been know to happen!). Also storing them in a dry and temp controlled space helps their life span. Now, if you have a way to put them in a wood box, so much the better but not acually required.

The packaging you see is actually designed so that if any primer pops, it will not ignite another primer in the process and start a chain reaction. The packages can actually be tossed into a full fire and you will only see/hear individual pops (from the heat) vs one big boom if there was a chain reaction.

[pklin1297]

Good to know, thanks Hunter.

[cali-man]

I store mine in ammo cans in the garage. I dont know how safe that is but it keeps the moisture out. Just throw some desicant in the can and you should be good to go.

[rksimple]

Ammo cans, safes and other containers that don't allow for gasses to escape will turn into bombs if there is detonation. Wood is what regulation calls for. I keep my powder and primers in wood boxes indoors as heat and fluctuating temperatures will shorten the life of primers and powder.

[proraptor]

Where would one get wood boxes?

[Prc329]

I have a small would cabinet in my garage. Would that be sufficient?

[rksimple]

Where would one get wood boxes?

I just made a couple using pine. I don't know where to buy them.

[pklin1297]

I remember seeing some in Michael's Arts and Craft stores...