Cartridge storage

[wilber6150]

Brothers in arms,
I was just wondering how people store their cartridges at home,I need some good ideas to put my wifes mind at rest, after hearing about storing gun powder at home I had to pry her from the ceiling.. lol..From what I've seen a lot of people use the old ammo cans, is that safe? And where is the best place to keep it, basement, outside shed? I've searched the old threads but couldn't find anything any help would be appreaciated,,
thanks

[Jimmayo]

Re: Cartridge storage

I keep most of my rolled cartridges in several cartridge boxes hanging in my gararge in a cabinet. I also keep the powder in the cans it came in enclosed in a ammo can in a cabinet. The ammo can is mainly to keep moisture out and all the cans in one place. As long as your house doesn't catch fire, nothing is going to happen to it. If you store a large quantity (and I don't know what the quantity is), I believe you have to jump through some hoops for a storage location.

[AZReenactor]

Re: Cartridge storage

I keep mine in a little wooden box. Holds about 1000 rounds packed in bundles of 10 with caps.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Cartridge storage

Mine are stored in a gun cabinet.

[burt60]

Re: Cartridge storage

Troy that sounds to original

[JLHurst]

Re: Cartridge storage

There is no way to idiot proof or at least be 100% sure way to store gunpowder safe. Don't "what if" this either. It will die a horrible death to the God of Probability! ( I hear "what if" all day teaching at the fire academy.)

Best thing is to err on the side of caution and use your noodle. Common sence can go a long way here. But just in case here goes nothin'.

#1 PUT A LOCK ON IT.
Kiddies+Gunpowder=Bad
__________________________
#2 Keep it Water tight.
I shouldn't have to explain that.
__________________________
#3 MARK IT!
After being a professional firefighter for 10 years there is nothing like hearing an extra
"pop" in a fire only to find out the homeowner forgot to inform that he has a reloading
shop.
__________________________
#4 Don't store it in the garage.
What else is in the garage? Lawn equipment? What goes in those? GASOLINE
Gasoline+Gunpowder+Burning Structure+Car+well you get the picture and it's called a FIRE LOAD.
Also some people store old/new propane bottles in there.
If your one of those people please get up, grab your propane bottle, and place it outside.

Also remember that whatever container you place it in could one day become a projectile so those ammo cans. All you need is one neighbor with a few beers in him and a lit stogie to turn the both of ya' into pin cushions.

Cool dry places, locked up away from kiddies and drunken neighbors. Remember common sence goes a long way. :D Goodluck!
Maybe there should be a sticky on this. . . who knows. I await the ever popular what if's now.

[dwinch]

Re: Cartridge storage

I store mine in my gun cabinet that has a locking bottom storage area. The finished product is stored within the pack then inside an ammo can, which is then stored in the gun cabinet. The powder cans that are full are stored next to the ammo can. The percussion caps are stored in their original containers, in a wooden box that is put into a tupperware-like container to prevent moisture and placed in my closet. I hope this helps.

My wife too was scared at the fact of having several cans of Black powder in the house, but her and my daughter have grown to understand how black powder works. Once she learned that, it is a little easier to sneak some more powder in and store it with the rest.:wink_smil

Dale Winch

[toptimlrd]

Re: Cartridge storage

First of all, blackpowder is very stable; if you were storing nitro glycerine then maybe there could be some concern.

As for me being in a relatively old and small house with very little storage I keep my gear in three different antique steamer trunks which are decorative in nature and keep my gear safe. As to the powder, one of those trunks is a wardrobe trunk (yes I know not period but this is for storage at home and not part of the imprssion) and my rolled cartridges are kept in one of the small interior drawers. Bulk powder is kept in another standard trunk. Both are able to be locked and the only risk is if the house cathes fire. If there were to be a fire, the only risk I think would be the canned powder as the cartridges would only flare up and not explode (no way for the exothermic expansion to compress, pour a small pile of powder and light it and you will see what I mean). Even with the risk of the cans exploding they would encounter the wooden trunk which would deflect the trajectory and prevent the cans from becoming a missile. I also keep these trunks in a room which is an addition onto the back of my house as far away from our sleeping areas as possible. If that room is on fire I sure am not going to sit in there while it burns. Also my house is a No Smoking Zone anyway.

The main thing to remember is to keep the stuff away from extreme heat and moisture which rules out my out building as it gets very hot and humid in these.

[Bob 125th NYSVI]

Re: Cartridge storage

Powder stays in the can in the garage UP HIGH until made into cartridges.

I store the cartridges in old .50 cal ammo boxes in the garage until they are packed up for usage.

If you have a shed in the backyard she might be a little more rest assured about it since the shed probably contains mostly your junk anyway.

[wilber6150]

Re: Cartridge storage

Thanks all,
I've used the answers that you kind gentlemen have given me to pry the wife off the ceiling and put her mind to rest that the powder just wont go up by itself and blowing the house and us to kingdom come. Main question I have I guess concerns humidity and the affect on the powder. If I leave it outside in a locked shed, would the humidity or the severe temperture swings we have up here in the north degrade the powder, or is it better in the basement where I have a de-humidifier and at least the temperture is somewhat stable...

[Bob 125th NYSVI]

Re: Cartridge storage

I live over in the Schoharie Valley west of Albany. My powder is stored in an unheated garage (read old barn) and never had a problem with it, especially if you keep it in a can.

The humidity isn't high enough around here to make the powder damp.

Keep it up high just a reminder about the floods we had from the recent melt, garage had 2 inches of water cascading through it.

[Kace]

Re: Cartridge storage

I took an old ammo can and spray painted it red with black lettering "Black Powder" on it. I keep a couple of 1 lb cans, my rounds for the season, and my caps in it. I keep it in the basement up high. I do like the idea of putting a lock it. You never know what those little kids might getting into given enough free time.

Kace

[Fahlem]

Re: Cartridge storage

The best place is surely, cool & dry, free from fire or heat hazard & as many have said, "good common sense" should rule the day.

Michael Fahle

[KentuckyReb]

Re: Cartridge storage

If you're really concerned about moisture or damp, you could do what I do--just save a few of those little 'do not eat' packets of silica that come with a pair of shoes or whatever (not the stuff that comes with jerky and other food items--it's a different substance) and toss a couple in with your ready-made cartridges in an airtight container. I understand you can put these little things in the oven on low heat for 10 minutes or so to remove the moisture they've soaked up and they're ready to reuse. Don't know how long it takes them to get 'full'--mine never have.

[JBuschlen]

Re: Cartridge storage

I took a 15 year sabbatical from reenacting to serve in the Air Force and start a family. When I opened my cartridge box I found that it was still full. I used one round, then others, and then the remaining arsenal packs with no problem. My cartridge box had been stored in a Michigan attic with a variety of temperature and moisture fluctuations.
No suggestions here, just an example of how resilient black powder can be.

Jeremy Buschlen