Black Powder Storage Box

[Doug Fay]

Just wanted to post description and pics of the black powder storage box I just built.

Here's what I was trying to achieve:

• Reasonably secure from "casual" attempts to get at the black powder inside.\
• If the building where I keep it were to catch fire, the powder wouldn't go off - at least for a good long time (i.e., somewhat fireproof).
• If it did go off, it wouldn't be a big bomb (e.g., like it would if it were kept in a steel container)

So, here's what I did:

• Bought a plastic lockable box from Amazon
• Built a "fireproof" box of refractory materials (from Amazon) to put inside the plastic box (each of the refractory plates is 12" x 12")
• Sealed the seams between the refractory plates with high-temp silicone (good to 600 deg F)
• Used long, thin wood screws to hold the refractory plates together when the silicone gets hot enough to no longer be able to keep the plates together.
• Used 1/16" steel aircraft cable and steel springs on the outside of the box to keep the lid tightly closed (aluminum loses strength at relatively low temps)
• Note: to do that and not have the cables cut right through the refractory materials, I used four pieces of steel angle iron to protect the edges - the four black things on the top edges of the refractory box.
• Placed heat-absorbing paraffin blocks inside the box with the powder to absorb heat that does get through the refractory box (haven't done that yet, but will probably use normal paraffin or "white beeswax", also available from Amazon)

Here's how it's supposed to work in a fire:

• The plastic box will melt, and lose all strength, thus preventing a big explosion, should the powder inside eventually ignite.
• The refractory plates and high-temp silicone will prevent much heat flow into the inside of the refractory box.
• As heat does come through to the inside of the box, the paraffin will melt, thus keeping the temp low as long as there is more paraffin to melt.
• Eventually, if the temp inside the box does get high enough to ignite the powder, it won't result in a big explosion with a lot of shrapnel, because the refractory material is very weak, and the external plastic box will have already melted.

Below are pictures

I was easily able to put five one-pound flasks of black powder inside. My guess is that it could easily hold 20 to 25 such flasks.

If anybody would like details, just let me know - Doug

 

[Tumbledown]

Absolute overkill. A wood box built from 1" thick boards would have been more than sufficient. If/when it burns through, the plastic containers melt and the powder would just go up in a big WHOOSH.

 

[Togo]

I think you need to perform controlled test of your box's ability, I'm not convinced.

 

[Iceman]

A wood box built from 1" thick boards would have been more than sufficient.

Not only sufficient, you would be better served by the wooden box for its superior fire properties. It has a long burn through time when exposed to flame on one side, retains its strength well, and it resist heat transfer through itself extremely well. That is probably why SAAMI and the ATF recommend it’s use for powder magazines.

SAAMI recommends 1-inch thick wooden box for powder storage. It is for smokeless but note in the personal use exception from the ATF black powder is classified as a flammable solid in the same classification as smokeless.
Per current ATF regulations, which you don’t have to follow with your personal use exception, bp would be stored in a type 4 magazine. Essentially a 1 inch wooden box with a few other minor improvements.

Nothing wrong with what you have to store powder in, it meets your first and third requirements but I would not expect much from it for your second requirement.

 

[wiscoaster]

What's wrong with .50 cal metal ammo cans?

I'm not too worried about locking it up. It's not something a burglar will find too useful.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I keep mine in the cans. Works for me

 

[springfield art]

I'll go with the Wood Box theory; I don't like the current zinc 'safe' box it's in. Good thread, guys!

 

[2 shots]

some towns have codes for storage. in mine they want a wooden box , painted red , with LOW E on top of it and stored within 10 feet of an outside door i will keep that in mind if i ever get some. we can only store 3 lbs.

 

[springfield art]

I wouldn't bother telling any local town about the small amts. I might have. I do like the wooden box idea, and will follow up.

 

[ZUG]

I salvaged a plywood box that was used for shipping fragile test equipment that was being thrown out where I worked MANY years ago. It has a sturdy hasp and large enough to store 40 one-pound cans BP. This container is kept locked in a wooden shed 20 feet from my home. I seldom keep more than 10 pounds of BP in it at a time.

 

[Tumbledown]

What's wrong with .50 cal metal ammo cans?

I'm not too worried about locking it up. It's not something a burglar will find too useful.

Metal ammo cans turn into bombs.

 

[Tumbledown]

.

 

[Tumbledown]

some towns have codes for storage. in mine they want a wooden box , painted red , with LOW E on top of it and stored within 10 feet of an outside door i will keep that in mind if i ever get some. we can only store 3 lbs.

Yup. Made mine when I lived in NY. Even made the window placards for the car.

 

[2 shots]

Even made the window placards for the car.

dang , i forgot about them. ill bet your glad your out of here. great place but with bad politics and politicians.

 

[deerstalkert]

keep mine in a repurposed refrigerator out of a cabover camper that went to Valhalla many moons ago. two rechargeable dehumidifiers in it and it works great. crack the lids and it actually dries the powder for me.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Under the wife's side of the bed is another popular place to keep your powder.

 

[#BPBReloadingFFL]

Having lived in New yorkistan for 32 years.
I removed all stickers that had anything to do with hunting, shooting, firearms.
I carried totes to put my hunting clothes in. Covered up all firearms out of the casual window peeping Tom.
Putting a window low explosive card in your vehicle is beyond insane!
Asking for Heil Houchel's private Army to stop you.

 

[Tumbledown]

Putting a window low explosive card in your vehicle is beyond insane!

It was required when transporting BP.

 

[Doug Fay]

Absolute overkill. A wood box built from 1" thick boards would have been more than sufficient. If/when it burns through, the plastic containers melt and the powder would just go up in a big WHOOSH.

Yeah, I agree, it is overkill. Originally, it was going to be just a wooden box, but then I wondered what would keep the heat out longer and be less strong if the powder did go off. Being a retired engineer, I was wondering if I could make something better ... just having fun.

 

[Doug Fay]

I think you need to perform controlled test of your box's ability, I'm not convinced.

I was thinking about that. Want to volunteer your house?