Basic Reloading Question....

[Jst1mr]

I am thinking of building a detached, insulated double garage this summer, and would like to make a part of it into a workshop and reloading setup. The garage would be equipped with a woodstove for heat in the winter. So, it might be -20 outside, you go out and fire up the stove and when it gets warm you get to work... Would these kind of extreme temperature and humidity changes adversely affect powder and other reloading components?

 

[mstuhr]

Howdy

Howdy,
I live in the humid mid west and other than being attached I have done what you are doing for 10 years. 100+ summer and -0 winters.
Never a problem.
Good luck
Mike

 

[idlethunder]

Here in Oklahoma we have dozens of 100 degree days in the summer and usually bottom out in the mid teens during the winter. For around 8 years I’ve been using an electric furnace in the winter and window unit a/c in the summer and have never noticed an adverse affect.

 

[M29since14]

How about thinking of some way to mitigate the extremes? Maybe you can create some sort of storage area that evens out the worst of it, particularly the lows, and keep your powder and primers in there? You could probably build a well-insulated cabinet or closet and continuously "heat" it in the worst of winter weather with a couple Golden Rods, or something like that. If you can take 30-40 degrees out of the range of extremes, surely there would be some benefit to that. The cabinet or closet could also shield the contents to some extent from the worst of the rapid heat-up from the stove. I would want it as far away from the stove as practical for that reason alone.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I built a 12x16 shop 10 years ago. Insulated & sheet rocked with electric heat. Never had a problem, summer or winter. Keep my brass in cigar boxes & powder in large plastic storage boxes with lids where it's cool & no sunlight. It doesn't get very hot here on the Oregon Coast but lots of humidity. Never had a problem.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

At my previous house, I stored my gunpowder in a 30mm Ammo Can. The rubber seal keeps it moisture proof. The can was in an uninsulated shed in my back yard. I estimate the temperatures ranged from below freezing to well over 120. I never had a problem with the power stored there. I had various grades of black powder as well as 4895, unique and bullseye. some of the black powder is over 20 years old.

 

[Aticus]

If you check the label on a powder can I think you'll find that there is something about store in a cool dry place. I've had reps tell me to avoid temperature extremes. I've also had fire type people tell me to store powder in an old refrigerator (one that doesn't work) 'cause they keep the temp fairly even. Temp extremes will cause the powder, and primers also, change over long storage. I'd say if you kept the powder and primers in the house in winter you'd have no problem.

 

[rwsmith]

I would be

I would bet that any temperatures above freezing would be better for powder than hot temperatures as long as everything is well sealed because condensation can be a problem in big temperature/humidity swings.

 

[Berserker]

Here in Oklahoma we have dozens of 100 degree days in the summer and usually bottom out in the mid teens during the winter. For around 8 years I’ve been using an electric furnace in the winter and window unit a/c in the summer and have never noticed an adverse affect.

I think the question was pretaining to temps swings in the same day. You got to the garage crank the heat, few hours later, it is cold again.

I don't know the answer, but it has crossed my mind.

 

[don5]

I would use an old fridge or freezer. I think that would be the cheapest solution. I load in my garage. I keep it 55 degrees in winter. My powder is kept in a cabinet out of sight. My garage is insulated also.

 

[Jst1mr]

Thanks for all the advice! I kind of like the old refrigerator idea, but I suppose a guy could keep the critical stuff in the house and bring it out as needed if it became a problem.

 

[Rule3]

Thanks for all the advice! I kind of like the old refrigerator idea, but I suppose a guy could keep the critical stuff in the house and bring it out as needed if it became a problem.

Hate to burst your bubble;

Here are the correct ways to store powder, of course it is all up to you.

Click in the individual links.

Alliant Powder - Storage & Handling

 

[LouisianaJoe]

Hate to burst your bubble;

Here are the correct ways to store powder, of course it is all up to you.

Click in the individual links.

Alliant Powder - Storage & Handling

The link is interesting. What I fail to see is what is considered too hot or too cold for storage. I mean specific temperatures.

 

[chief38]

Your reloading set-up should provide a comfortable environment for you to do your work, however PERSONALLY I would store the Powders & loaded ammo inside your heated & a/c home. They do not take up all that much room and while the extreme temps & climate changes may not have short term effects, I have to believe that over time the powder would change properties. I like to err on the side of caution.

 

[trap4570]

I have a work shop in the barn and it is heated with wood. I use an old refrigerator and store primers on one side and powder in the other. I drilled a hole in the side and keep a 15 watt bulb burning and the temp stays around 40 degrees in sub-zero weather. I also keep a box of baking soda in each side to absorb moisture and the old refrigerator smell. The lamp is an old fixture with a metal cage and glass that covers the bulb.

 

[Rule3]

I have a work shop in the barn and it is heated with wood. I use an old refrigerator and store primers on one side and powder in the other. I drilled a hole in the side and keep a 15 watt bulb burning and the temp stays around 40 degrees in sub-zero weather. I also keep a box of baking soda in each side to absorb moisture and the old refrigerator smell. The lamp is an old fixture with a metal cage and glass that covers the bulb.

This is completely contrary to several of the "proper storage" recommendations! You have a large bomb just waiting.

But HAY it's your barn

 

[Rule3]

This is completely contrary to several of the "proper storage" recommendations! You have a large bomb just waiting.

But HAY it's your barn

Joe,

Recommended temp is 70 F I would think cold is better than hot due to decomp. There is more tech stuff here.

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/MSDS Files/OEM Powders/OEM Powders_090111.pdf

 

[Maximumbob54]

At my previous house, I stored my gunpowder in a 30mm Ammo Can. The rubber seal keeps it moisture proof. The can was in an uninsulated shed in my back yard. I estimate the temperatures ranged from below freezing to well over 120. I never had a problem with the power stored there. I had various grades of black powder as well as 4895, unique and bullseye. some of the black powder is over 20 years old.

That's always what I've read and been told you don't do as it would hold the pressure until it explodes.

I store mine in the closet on the top shelf of a back bedroom. That way it's mostly surrounded by gypsum boards and I'm more worried about the gallon gas cans in my garage than I am my powder in the event of a fire.

 

[jaykellogg]

One thing that would concern me is the dies rusting from temp/humidity swings. I like the idea of storing powder away from your residence due to fire risk. I like the old refrigerator idea as the gasketed door will keep the humidity changes down and as suggested, you could put a goldernod heater in it to keep the temp swings down.

Are you going to insulate and sheetrock this garage? In zero degree weather it can be tough to heat a garage especially if the ceiling isn't finished. Another option would be to build a little room inside the garage and heat just that.

 

[Rule3]

Please read the attached links above if needed.

Just common sense says do not have electrical items in close proximity to powders or primers