Long Term Powder Storage

[choprzrul]

I'm still using powder that I aquired during the Clinton panic, so I know it lasts a long time. The cans have surface rust and the powder goes bang just fine.

What I am looking for is advice on long term storage of 4 & 8lb containers. I've read where CA fire regs require storage in wooden boxes. Should the box be sealed, or should I ventilate? The individual powder containers are sealed from the factory, so moisture intrusion shouldn't be of concern.

I have an old foot locker that I am thinking about screwing some cleats on the bottom to elevate off of the floor. It has the adhesive backed foam seal like is used on screen doors around the lid area.

The box will be located in an enclosed cargo trailer on my property and well away from the house.

What say you?

.

[Kyle1886]

I had a friend that used an old non-working refrigerator (the small square under counter type). It worked well for him but I have no idea what his turn-over time was for the powder. Don't know if vented or not, He has passed on, otherwise I'd ask.

Just a thought.

Respectfully,
Kyle

[Divernhunter]

I would be concerned about the rust. I have powder cans I have stored since the 1960's that have no rust.
I just store mine in the large storage tubs you buy at any store in a closet. I also store the big jugs on top of one safe,on the floor and in a closet also. I have stored some in the garage also.
If you store them in a box it has to have a weak side/top so it does not become a bomb. This is one reason not to store in a safe. Plus I never have room in any of my safes. "I personally" would not store powder in a enclosed trailer due to heat build up. If your house catches fire it will only burn, not explode.

[choprzrul]

The roof vent is always open on the trailer, that coupled with cool Pismo weather keeps inside temps quite reasonable.

Good call on a weak link so that it doesn't go high order. I suspect that removing the hasp and only using gravity for the lid would satisfy that.

.

[choprzrul]

Oh, re: the rust. We live close enough to the ocean that everything gets a layer of rust. Sealed containers have never been a problem though.

.

[74c5]

I'd be careful with new powders. Looks like they're all coming in black plastic. The main reason I would use black plastic is that is the only color that velostat comes in. Lately, I've been seeing BPN come in only in velostat containers too. This is a problem because velostat is required to allow moisture to pass through it. It does it slowly but, that is still almost infinitely faster than a steel can.

[73Cougar]

This has been discussed before. You may find the information in http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=806744 to be useful.

[Divernhunter]

With the vent open you will get the fog moisture into the tariler. I would just keep them indoors. I was at Cal Poly for 4 years and that is what I did. No rust on my cans and no moisture in the powder.

I am sure you would be ok if you have to have the powder in the trailer.

I like Pismo. Have a friend who lives there and another with a place there we use when we come down.

[mjsweims]

I was given some old powders a few months back - real old.
Herco was in 12 oz steel bottles with $2.95 price on each.
Red Dot was in original 4# cardboard cylinder. $8.95 on the price tag.
Green Dot was in same containers as the Herco.
I am using them all and have had no problems with them. I don't know how old they are or how they were stored, but since the price tags were original and the containers very old I assume the powder is very old. I've been storing them in my garage on open shelves.
I think they may last longer than Twinkies.

[Germz]

There is no defined shelf life of smokeless or black powders. I'm surprised the solution of vaccuum sealing hasn't been suggested yet. Do you have a FoodSaver?

[Clownpuncher]

I have mine in a 20 mm ammo can, I just don't latch the sides. The lid is heavy enough that it stays down and the rubber seal on the top keeps it sealed and if it's ever in a fire the pressure will just lift the lid.

[Dark Mod]

Just a wild guess here, but the ideal long term storage for powder would in a moisture free environment. An air tight seal with some desiccant packs would probably multiply its life. Ive made trades for powder from the 1960's that were still good, so storing it right would likely keep it good for over 100 years

[Divernhunter]

That old powder in the old cantainers wes from the 1960s' and 1970's. I still have some I bought back then and it shoots fine.