How do you store your black powder?

[jed1177]

store your black powder? I'm just getting started and looking for the best way (short of building a bunker) to store a small amount of black powder (1 pound for pistols). Any inherent dangers, best type of container, humidity, static electricity, etc.

Any help or assistance would be appreciated.

 

[bobthemotorcycle]

A Folgers coffe can is as good as anything. I have a pound in one.

You can store it in a cup, on a plate, in your pockets, in your shoes your not wearing, ect.

What did it come in? Try storing it in that. If you made some then I use a folgers coffe can. I hear lots of people use Tupper wear containers.

 

[necchi]

What did it come in? Try storing it in that.

Perfect, :thumbsup:
Close the lid first, then put it on the floor in a closet.
Indoors in a climate controlled environment away from high moisture is best.
Static is a non-issue.

 

[M. De Land]

It will keep just fine in the cans or plastic jugs it comes in and you can't light black powder with static electricity if you tried.Not enough heat.
Usually best to not store it in a place like and attic where it can get unusually hot. Cool storage is recommended although I have left mine in the case box it comes in at temperatures well below zero with no trouble at all.MD

 

[cynthialee]

the canister it came in
stashed in a secure but not enclosed area

 

I store it in the can it comes in. :hmm:

Unless it's in a flask or horn.

 

[Billnpatti]

Just leave it in the can it came in and keep the lid on tight to keep out moisture. Not King Kong tight just good and snug is fine. If you are talking just one pound, why not keep it in the closet? Works for me. Actually, I have several pounds and keep it all in a cabinet in my garage. While black powder has its dangers, it is not like keeping a pet Rattlesnake. Just keep it in its original can and put it in your gun cabinet, closet or wherever. Just don't store it anywhere near an open flame and you will be okay. Static electricity is not a problem. Many experiments have been done to see if static electricity could set off black powder and it can't. Of course if you subject it to a huge spark from a Van Degraff generator or a Tesla coil, you might be looking at a different can of worms. But normal static electricity around the house is of no concern as far as it igniting black powder. It won't.

 

[Darto]

If your house every burns down and you have many pounds of the stuff together and it explodes you may be looking at a suit from the fireman injured. In other words, at first look it might seem like a good idea to store it in 1 pound cans each placed in different locations. But tough to do if need to lock it up. Pre teen boys seem very attracted to stuff with audio visual attractions.

 

[MacRob46]

You can always buy a powder magazine. They are available to hold up to 50 pound cans of powder. Cabelas has them, I think. They used to any way. That may sound like overkill for just one pound of powder but do you really think that is all you will ever have on hand?

 

[Geraldo]

If your house every burns down and you have many pounds of the stuff together and it explodes you may be looking at a suit from the fireman injured.

In my career as a firefighter I never once worried about black or smokeless powder. Lightweight residential construction is a far greater threat to firefighters than anything stored in a house.

I store both types of powder in original containers away from sources of ignition. Beyond that I don't worry about it.

 

[necchi]

In my career as a firefighter I never once worried about black or smokeless powder.

Thank you for the personal/professional feed back on that Geraldo.

A few years ago I went to speak with our local Fire Chief about the subject of proper storage and the Fire Dept's advice/concerns and he said exactly what you just did,
"We don't worry about it."

 

[aeatwood]

attic is fine. bp doesn't degrade at any temp that won't melt sulphur. Smokeless does degrade with high temps.

BP doesn't degrade over time either, as long as it is dry. I buy it 25lb at a time. that lasts me 3 years or so.

 

[cynthialee]

You guys sure do burn alot more powder than I do. I think I went through maybe 2.5 pounds of powder last year.
Obviously I am not shooting often enough.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

in a dry cool area is best, in an airtight container. I keep mine in a far corner of my basement that is located underneath the shower stall on the ground floor.
except for what I have in my gun cabinet of course which amounts to around 1/2#.