powder storage??

[snagg]

Hello:

Is there a proper and safe way to store 2f powder?

A friend of mine picked up some 2f in quantity and was kind enough to sell me some at his cost. ( Quite a savings buying in bulk. ) Well, I incorrectly assumed it would come in some kind of a secure container, but it came in a paper bag.

How and where should it be stored??

Thanks, snagg

 

[roundball]

Hello:

Is there a proper and safe way to store 2f powder?

A friend of mine picked up some 2f in quantity and was kind enough to sell me some at his cost. ( Quite a savings buying in bulk. ) Well, I incorrectly assumed it would come in some kind of a secure container, but it came in a paper bag.

How and where should it be stored??

Thanks, snagg

If I had that situation I'd set the bag down in an airtight picnic cooler or GI ammo box, something like that.

Ideally, if you find some empty powder cans that matched the power & granulation you have, it might be convenient to refill them and over-write the lot# & Mfg date on the bottom of the cans.

 

Snagg, first rule is to "Keep yer powder dry" Fill you horn/flask then find an appropriate container for what's left of it, my first thought is a mason jar. It will keep it dry, but it's breakable. Make sure you label it, and keep it in a relatively cool dry place. Maybe someone on the forum has some empty BP cans they could share. A non sparking metal container is best, I wouldn't recommend plastic. Bill

 

[paulvallandigham]

If you are going to store this powder in a dry container, such as a cooler, or old refrigerator, where it is not likely to be exposed to flame, heat, or direct sunlight, I would use a plastic gallon milk jug, or smaller size if that is all you need. I buy some dry cat food that comes in a wide mouth plastic bottle, with a good fitting lid. Contains about 1/2 gallon of dry food for my darlings. That wide mouth makes it a tempting container to use for storing bulk powder. As long as you then put this plastic container into another container- like an old refrigerator, that is insulated, metal, and is located in a safe place( use a pad lock on it, too) I don't think you will have any problem with storage over several years.

I always seem to have 2 or more powder cans that I just didn't throw away when I emptied them sitting around my shop, waiting for me to figure out what to make out of them. Ask around your black powder club members, and they may be willing to donate a couple of cans to you to put the powder in.

 

[jtmattison]

Hello:

Is there a proper and safe way to store 2f powder?

A friend of mine picked up some 2f in quantity and was kind enough to sell me some at his cost. ( Quite a savings buying in bulk. ) Well, I incorrectly assumed it would come in some kind of a secure container, but it came in a paper bag.

How and where should it be stored??

Thanks, snagg

I would store it in a cool dry place in a plastic container like rubbermaid or tupperware.

Where did he get bulk powder
I've never heard of it sold in bulk.

HD

 

[snagg]

Thanks:

I will ask around for some mt powder containers. I would like to stay away from plastic if I can as static electricity could become a factor.

He bought the bulk powder in 5 lb. bags at a recent shoot his scrimmage group attended.

Thanks again, snagg

 

[paulvallandigham]

Static electricity will not ignite black powder, Snagg. We had a post on that issue here about a month ago. Nice pictures show electric charges passing through the powder and no ignition. That old dog is dead.

 

[Zonie]

Swiss Powder comes in plastic bottles and IMO if anyone knows about Black Powder, they do.
Using your wifes Tupper wear may cause some hard feelings but a clean dry plastic pop bottle with a screw on lid would work real well.

It sounds like your friend found out where Grogans Used Military Surplus Store is located. At least that's where Pat McManus got his powder.
(Pat McManus is the author of some of the funniest stories I've ever read. Grogans was the character that was known to go out back and shoot holes in his surplus helmets so they could be sold as "Real Battle damaged stuff straight from WW II." :grin:
When young Pat and his buddy bought some black powder at Grogans, he sold it to them in a paper bag. When they got home, they poured some on his big sisters bicycle seat to see if it would burn. It didn't light right away until Pat peeked up over the edge of the seat, then POOF, no eyebrows. :grin:
Then there was the story about using the sewer pipe to make a cannon...well, I guess you just have to buy the book :rotf.

 

[Mike Moore]

I know that story!
Boy, does Pat know how to write!
I always like the "Road Hunter" and all the adventures that him and his friend Retch got into.
Kind of reminds me of somethings I did when young.
mike.

 

[snagg]

Paul:
I've tried to read most of the posts relating to my interests, but I guess I missed the one on static elctricity. I'm real glad there's no problem using plastic. We've got plenty of Tupperware.

I haven't too much of a problem using her tuppermare for my projects, i.e. cleaning paintbrushes, mixing epoxies and so on. I just blame the daughters-in-law for borrowing them and not bringing them back. So far it still works.
Thanks Paul

Zonie:
I've read Pat McManus. Very very artful writer. Really has a way with words. Kinda puts you right there in the story. More than once I've recollected one of his stories and just plain started laughing.

Thanks to you all, snagg

 

[snagg]

Paul:
I did a forum search on the static electricity discussion you mentioned. It was posted a few months before I came onboard, probably why I missed it.

Very interesting. Almost unbelievable if I hadn't seen the article.

I have bookmarked it and am going to send it to a friend that m/l's.

Thanks, snagg

 

[bangdust]

If you know some carpenters, have them save their stait line chalk containers which are plactic, but only hold about a pound of powder. They have a real tight sealing but easy to remove top which is near perfect pouring into a measure. Perhaps not real good if your going true historical. Good luck, good shooting. Fritzie

 

[sidelock]

Just remember---- never smell a gift fish. :haha:

 

[Zonie]

And don't ever forget the Chickenout narrows :rotf: :rotf:

Even my wife, who is anything but a outdoors person laughed so hard while reading McManus's stories she couldn't see the pages because of the tears in her eyes. :rotf:

 

[dlemaster]

How about the Grasshopper Trap. I thought I would die laughing on that one. It was exactly the kind of thing my best friend and I would have done when we were teenagers.

Regards, Dave

 

[Mad Professor]

Plastic laundry detergent bottles have a wide mouth and a nice spout to pour from :winking:

 

[Zonie]

Basically, IMO, any watertight, sealable, weak container will work to store your powder.

By keeping the powder dry it will last for years and by using a weak container it cannot build up the high pressures which would result in a bomb should the powder ever ignite from high temperatues (over 450 degrees F.).

 

[TN.Frank]

+1 to the weak container deal. If you store it in something were the lid can blow off then you'll just get a big flash and a lot of smoke but if it's in something where it'll build pressure then it'll effectively be a bomb and you don't want that. I normally can only afford a lb or two at a time and I put that down into a 50cal G.I. ammo can. I put that in my closet in my computer room(I know, the garage would be a better place but...) and that way it stays cool and dry and under my control. Good luck on coming up with something. :thumbsup:

 

[snagg]

Thanks for all the responses.

I'm going into town today to pick-up a piece of Rubbermade that will fill my needs.

Thanks again, snagg

 

[Twisted_1in66]

**SNIP**
I would store it in a cool dry place in a plastic container like rubbermaid or tupperware.

Where did he get bulk powder
I've never heard of it sold in bulk.
HD

Our reenactment group in Vermont buys it in bulk 50-lbs. at a time at a local GOEX dealer. It comes in two 25-lb. plastic bags. The same dealer supplies the local slate quarries with black powder for blasting, so that might be why he has it available that way. We've all hung onto our old empty powder cans and fill them from the bulk stuff. One of our members has a few acres of land and we keep the bulk in an outdoor magazine away from other buildings before it's disbursed.

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Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup: