Gunpowder storage
Is it ok to store gunpowder in other than dark containers? I have some of the opaque poly bottles (clean) and If I store them out of direct light, would there be any foul in this?
Thanks for any insight,
Richard
Thanks for any insight,
Richard
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IF YOU MEAN THERE IS NO LIGHT ON THE CONTAINERS, OK. NO LIGHT SHOULD GET TO THE POWDER (JUST 'opaque' DON'T CUT IT). 0 -
Best storage is in the ORIGINAL container. Anything else is a recipe for disaster. Handiest storage I've found is putting the powder containers in ammo cans with desicant packs. Keeps out light,moisture, and mitigates temperature fluxtuations. Also makes for more convenient stacking. 0 -
Aldo, please consider that SOME plastics may generate static electricity when powder is poured from/into them. Powder makes use a conductive plastic or foil covered paper that will not generate static. 0 -
As mentioned, the best containers (and probably the only ones you really should use) are the ones the powder comes in.
Those are properly labelled and designed to hold powder. Its not just that they are free of static (which of course is an important point) but also that the containers are designed to fail gracefully if the powder is ever ignited inside the container (eg in a fire).
But to answer this question, I think the reason to keep the powder dark is mainly to prevent it from heating up in exposure to sunlight.
In terms of damage to the powder from light exposure, don't forget that the powder ITSELF is opaque, so any damage by UV light would only occur to the external surface of the individual powder grains. (The interior part of the grains are shielded).
More specifically, the only damage that might occur would be to the surfaces of the powder grains actually exposed to light. That means the powder grains at the sides and top of the container only, and in fact, only ONE SIDE of those particular grains. The vast majority of the powder grains in the middle of the container would be shielded.
So while in theory, you should keep the powder in opaque containers, I think in practice unless you put the powder in transparent containers, in direct sunlight, and constantly agitated them (so that different portions of powder were exposed to light) you'd never notice any difference.
Obviously, if you keep the powder in the dark (regardless of the transparency of the container) then light won't be an issue.0 -
I'm not a big fan of Hodgdon's black plastic bottles. I have saved the IMR metal cans and when I buy IMR powder in the Hodgdon jugs, I pour it into the appropriate empty can. They store so much easier on the shelf above my bench. Of course, I leave the Hodgdon powder and others in their origional containers and arrange other, not so convenient storage for them. I have thought of repainting and relabeling empty IMR cans for storing powder from others, but have not gotten around to it yet. 0 -
We (my buddies and I) sometimes purchase our powder in kegs and then divide it among ourselves to save on hazmat and shipping fees. We were faced with a problem in dividing up the powder until I discovered U.S. Plastics in Lima, Ohio, www.usplastic.com. The have just about any kind of plastic container you can imagine. I ordered two dozen of the solid black "oil" bottles. They look just like Texaco bottles without a label. These bottles have proven to be most effective in storing our powders. I use my computer and printer and make labels for the bottles so that there is no doubt which powder is in the bottle. The bottles and very inexpensive, like a little over a $1 each, and their store perfectly. I also keep these bottles locked up in a dark cabinet where no light at all can get to the bottles. Of course there are many other container companies out there, I just happen to like the one I'm using. Good luck.... 0 -
if you still use the old steel cans make certain there is no rust in them, a year or so ago i opened a metal can of 2400, the old square can with the squeeze to close lid, for the first time after 30+ years it was a rust colored powder, pouring it out into a black plastic "bottle" i found the interior of the can 90% rusted.
yes, i used the powder after pouring it onto a silk handkerchief closing it up using the four corners and rolled it in my hands for several minutes, the rust clung to the silk like steel to a magnet.0 -
i just leave it in original container and store them in .50 cal ammo cans same with primers 0 -
Thanks to all for the input. I have a couple of the 5lb'er and was thinking of an easier way of having a small container handy for the hobby. I'll find another use for the poly bottles.
Thanks again,
yblockhead (AKA Richard)0 -
For those that store gunpowder containers inside of metal ammo cans, you have just created a bomb. (and removed the safety mechanism of the plastic container that is designed to "vent" pressures)
Of course, most people are probably already aware of that. As long as the building they are stored in doesn't catch fire (etc), there shouldn't be a problem. If there is a fire, then the firefighters may have to deal with it. (unfortunately)0
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