Primer and powder storage

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hnusz

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What are your thoughts on using one of the cheap Walmart gun cabinets to store powder and primers in. It’s not air tight so it wouldn’t go boom if there is a fire.
 
I don't think you need to even go so far as to use a gun cabinet... I'd just find a metal or wood cabinet with pull doors (not latched doors, if you see what I mean.)
 
I have shelves and drawers in my reloading room. Powder on shelves and primers in drawers. Just convenient that way. I have no need to lock anything.
 
For what it’s worth Alliant has a guide for storage of smokeless powder.
 
What are your thoughts on using one of the cheap Walmart gun cabinets to store powder and primers in. It’s not air tight so it wouldn’t go boom if there is a fire.
Only being able to leak a little bit of air isn't enough, it has to have a weak side that gives little to no resistance. Don't lock/latch it and you'll be ok.
 
It's probably fine, unless you have the thing packed floor to ceiling with powder, in which case I could see the cabinet becoming shrapnel.

I keep my powder in some old kitchen cabinets I was given.
 
Mine is in a old wooden desk drawers powder on one side primers on the other side ,
 
Only being able to leak a little bit of air isn't enough, it has to have a weak side that gives little to no resistance. Don't lock/latch it and you'll be ok.
What he said. The container needs to be able to belch many (10 + times) it's own volume of hot air, with little backpressure. The only good way to accomplish that is an entire side that pops off at single-digit psi.

It's also nice to have some thermal insulation to slow heating. Have a look at SAAMI's suggestions on the matter.
 
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I see some store powder next to primers and some store powder and primers very separately. That confuses me. Which way is recommended? I have my primers stored next to my powder and wonder if I should separate them.
 
I have them separate, but only because it's convenient. Loaded ammo is in bins, and their powder and primer are really close.
 
I keep primers on one shelf and powder on the other, open shelving, in my workshop. Bullets between the two and all my solvents and cleaning gear on the other side of the workshop area but still in the same room / zone of the house.

Leaflet says not to do that FYI,
 
Thanks guys. The small closet that I have ammo and components stored in is going to become part of the bathroom, I'm going have to find another spot. I have a couple of old metal kitchen cabinets I will see if I can make room in the new walk in closet remodel aka the small bedroom.
 
I think it depends on where you put the cabinet. Keep it in climate controlled environment and you will be fine.
 
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