Powder & Primer Storage Pics.

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I'm getting a good size collection of different types of powder and primers. I have to.build a storage unit for powders and another for primers.

I haven't see much on the different forums on powder & primer storage.

When I get back in three weeks after deer hunting back east I need to get going on these storage units.

Any good ideas out there and any pictures to share?.
 
I know everyone says powder should be kept in a closed cabinet or case of some sort, but an old Army Range officer said he keeps his on an open shelf. His reasoning is inside a closed cabinet an explosion might be worse than on an open shelf unless you had it in an explosion proof case? Mine just sits on a shelf over my loading bench. I figure either way if I have an explosion, its not going to be pretty. One note, all of the jugs on the shelf are 1 lb jugs. Anything I buy in larger jugs which these days is only Universal, I sit on the other side of the room on another shelf.
 
I keep a little of everything handy in the reloading room. The larger bulk containers I store elsewhere, climate controlled and not in anything that would turn into a bomb. There is a reason bulk powder containers are cardboard and not steel.

A simple shelf I built over part of the bench.

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I have about that much piwder, but no shelf space.
I keep a little of everything handy in the reloading room. The larger bulk containers I store elsewhere, climate controlled and not in anything that would turn into a bomb. There is a reason bulk powder containers are cardboard and not steel.

A simple shelf I built over part of the bench.

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Space is limited in my shop and this is what I built. I keep the current powders in use at my bench in a drawer. All bulk powders and rarely used powders go in the cabinet. The powder storage is 2 layer thick of 3/4" plywood with over lapping seams. I have another place in the same room where primers are kept.

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I keep primers in a filing cabinet and powders in a wooden cabinet. I like the 2 drawer cabinets and store brass and loading books on top.
 

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I have about that much piwder, but no shelf space.

I didn’t either, I just got tired of digging for what I wanted or to see what I had within a given burn rate. So I built a shelf and put a pound of most of the powders I have on it in order of burn rate.

It has likely saved me more time than it took to cut and weld together by now.
 
I bought one of those cheap wooden “shoe” shelves...the kind from Home Depot or Lowe’s that fit together to make 12 or 15 4x4” cubbyholes, kind of looks like a cheap wine rack. Each cubbyhole perfectly holds a can on its side and keeps each separate from the other.
 
No photos yet but one reason I liked the new house we are closing on soon is it has a nook in the basement perfect for reloading, with shelves and everything.

I plan on using one shelf for powders, one for primers and dies/turrets, and putting bullets and brass on the floor. Then I can turn around and have a space for cleaning/minor gunsmithing. Can't wait!
 
I know everyone says powder should be kept in a closed cabinet or case of some sort, but an old Army Range officer said he keeps his on an open shelf. His reasoning is inside a closed cabinet an explosion might be worse than on an open shelf unless you had it in an explosion proof case? Mine just sits on a shelf over my loading bench. I figure either way if I have an explosion, its not going to be pretty. One note, all of the jugs on the shelf are 1 lb jugs. Anything I buy in larger jugs which these days is only Universal, I sit on the other side of the room on another shelf.

Remember powder doesn't explode, it just burns fast. The explosion you get when firing a gun is due to the pressure build up from a fast burn and the gun barrel being sealed by the bullet. If you put it in a box, as long as the box has a way to relieve pressure its safe, either by having it not latch so it can open or holes to release pressure. SAMMI recommends a wooden box with 1" wall thickness and no latch.
 
How's the rigidity of the bench
It seems pretty solid. I decapped over 800 cases this weekend and sized a handful to get a feel for stability. It is significantly more stable than the WorkMate 550 I just left. I’ve just moved 12 Sterilite containers full of clean brass to the bottom shelf, which likely adds additional stability. I still plan to attach it to the wall once I’m satisfied with the room layout.
 
Do NOT, under any circumstances, tell your wife when asked where is the powder is stored, answer in a dead pan face that it is on the burner attached to the boiler to keep it dry. She normally has a good sense of humor...... generally.
 
Most likely going to build a plain-Jane one (or 2). Won't be fancy at all.
Just something to better align myself with the fire code.
 
Years ago I built a wooden box to hold nine 1lb powder containers. The top, bottom, front and back, are 3/4" plywood. The two sides are 1/4" plywood. A gun mag of the time recommended the box not be too strong in one or two sides. To avoid searching for a certain powder, I use ordinary labels on the tops of the canisters. Easily transportable, if needed.
 
I am going back to Upstate New York for three weeks to go deer hunting. I will get something built for the powder when I get back to Washington State.

Once I use up some of the powders I don't use much I think I will down size on how many different types Of powder I will buy.
Probably combine powder types to cover multipule calibers. I am running out of room.
 
Do NOT, under any circumstances, tell your wife when asked where is the powder is stored, answer in a dead pan face that it is on the burner attached to the boiler to keep it dry. She normally has a good sense of humor...... generally.


Years ago I had an automotive machine shop. One winter, the town fire dept was conducting business safety checks, and the pumper truck pulled up full of firemen looking for something to do.
The Honcho came in and looked around the shop, chatted some, checked off items on his punch list.
At the end of his visit, he asked me where I kept the oily rags.
I said "Over there by the furnace in a cardboard box."

He didn't think that was nearly as funny as I did.

The rags were actually in an approved, lidded steel can - nowhere near the furnace....
 
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