Powder Storage and room temp

[JackM]

We'll be heading up north from our place in FL in a couple of weeks. I know that powder should be kept in a cool dry location. The problem is that after we secure our place for the summer, the A/C system runs only when the humidity rises above a certain point. Our A/C guy told me the place could get up into the eighties or nineties so long as the humidity remains below 60%. So the "dry" part is taken care of. I'm just not sure what would be considered an upper limit for room temperature as it applies to powder storage. For the record, while we're here the thermostat is set at 73 and I haven't noticed any deterioration. Any suggestions or recommendations? I can always take it home but trunk space is limited.

[Warren Sear]

Eighties or nineties? That is not even within cab distance of a problem. Don't worry about it; all powder should be treated that well.

[Badquaker]

Make sure the bottles are sealed well, and don't worry about it.

As long as it passes the sniff test when you get back to it, you should be fine. I just opened some powder that I have been hauling around house to house for 8 years. Works fine.

[NYlakesider]

Humidity is more important than temp. You should be fine!

Like said above always do the sniff test!

[MichiganScott]

I keep mine on the shelf in my reloading room where both temperature and humidity reach the nineties during the summer. I've never had any issues with any of it including the older Hercules powder in the cardboard containers.

[KLYDE]

As Lakesider said the humidity control is more important than 80 degree temperatures. You've got the humidity covered with the A/C. Make sure the containers are sealed tight and you'll be good to go.

Depending on what I am shooting and loading I've used powder that is 25 years old and works like a charm.

[gregC.]

What is sniff test?

[Badquaker]

Smell your powder. It should have an ether smell. If it smells acidic, then it has gone bad.

[JackM]

Thanks for the help, guys!

[M16]

Be careful with the sniff test. I grabbed a container off the shelf the other day. And without thinking unscrewed the cap and took a whiff. It about knocked me to my knees. An orange cloud of dust rose out of the container. Look before you sniff.

[jmmitc06]

Originally Posted by M16

Be careful with the sniff test. I grabbed a container off the shelf the other day. And without thinking unscrewed the cap and took a whiff. It about knocked me to my knees. An orange cloud of dust rose out of the container. Look before you sniff.

^^This reminded my of the lab safety video I watched in undergrad where they teach you to waft the chemical bottles not smell them directly. I never did and I'm still fine lol.

All-in-all smokeless powder is very stable so long as it is not ignited. 90F won't cause any problems for the powder so long as the lid is on tight, as humidity will degrade the powder. I've also heard but not seen it personally, that powder takes on a reddish color when spoiled, so if it looks alright and smells alright it's good to go. Furthermore, think of the warehouses the stuff is stored in, I doubt they are climate controlled.

[dickttx]

My wife doesn't turn on the AC until it gets into the 90's inside. Nor the heat until it gets into the 60's. I have powder and primers stored in closets all over the house and have not had a problem.

[Bugkiller99]

JackM,

I've lived in Florida all my life. Rarely do I remember relative humidity 60% or lower AND temperature in the upper 80+. Not sure you are going to have much of that combo happening in the summer in Florida.

If your relative humidity is kept below 60%, I'm betting your temperature will be OK. As will your powder.

[Warren Sear]

Originally Posted by KLYDE

...Depending on what I am shooting and loading I've used powder that is 25 years old and works like a charm.

25 years??? Hell, I've got shoes that are older than that!

[rwsmith]

Originally Posted by jmmitc06

^^This reminded my of the lab safety video I watched in undergrad where they teach you to waft the chemical bottles not smell them directly. I never did and I'm still fine lol.

I remember Chemistry lab when people would stick their nose in something to smell it. That Hydrochloric acid is ROUGH.

[Rule3]

From the "source"

"A cool dry place"

What is the definition of "cool"? I do not know but to me it is more around 65 F. For chemicals or powder I think a stable. out of direct heat or sunlight. 90F or above I would concerned hot but doubt the powder will be harmed.

I live in S sub tropic Fla we keep our AC at 78 all year. When we go away for extended periods I set the AC to 85.