Powder & Ammo Storage

Tim

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I think I need to address my powder/ammo storage situation. My “shop” is a 6x9 converted closet that I’ve built shelving, benches, etc. in.

Under the bench, I have 20 ammo cans of various calibers plus 10 factory cardboard/shipping packages of ammo. On a high shelf, I have 45-50# of powder, all in factory plastic jugs. Most of these are 1# canisters.

Oh, I also have about 10# of Black Powder under that bench as well.

I do not have room in this closet for another safe or lockable cabinet. So, any suggestions along those lines will need to involve moving all of this to the garage.

Do y’all recommend a fireproof cabinet, a simple security (I.e sheet metal) cabinet or something even beefier?

If I was smart, I’d dump or sell the powders I’m not using. But I won’t do that with ammo I may never shoot.



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I use a commercial Justrite safety cabinet I bought at a surplus auction when a garage and paint shop went out of business for $150. I just sanded it down and painted to make it look decent again. The cabinet has the ability to be properly grounded for static charge and such along with shelf lining that also aid in preventing it. I’m sure you know smokeless powders are not near the level of reactivity that your black powders are ... I’d find a small safety cabinet for them separate.
 
A pocket door would open up your world a bit. As would a 2 story basement with dumbwaiter...;) My "shooting space"is broken up all over the house, for better or worse.
 
Please lie back on the couch and tell me why you think that you have a situation that needs to be addressed?

That’s an excellent question. And part of the reason for my post. Am I looking for a solution to a non-existent problem?
 
A pocket door would open up your world a bit. As would a 2 story basement with dumbwaiter...;) My "shooting space"is broken up all over the house, for better or worse.

It would, but not possible in this location.
 
Considering it's all indoors and climate controlled, I don't think it's much of a problem.

Hats off to @NCFubar for bringing up the static charge issue - I have not been considering that in my storage plan.
 
Considering it's all indoors and climate controlled, I don't think it's much of a problem.

Hats off to @NCFubar for bringing up the static charge issue - I have not been considering that in my storage plan.
Static charge is not really an issue with smokeless and while black powder can be more susceptible even then not huge one either BUT anything that can be eliminated with a little ground wire and screw why not. I also learned a long time ago grounding storage cabinets can also keep you from dropping something when you get popped with a shock from static electricity (especially in lower humidity times) is helpful too.
 
That’s an excellent question. And part of the reason for my post. Am I looking for a solution to a non-existent problem?
You might want to move unused powder into coolers in the garage to make room for more inventory in the reloading room, but otherwise there doesn’t seem to be anything that needs cleaning up, throwing out, or reorganizing.
 
The only issue I see is the BP, I know you shoot it quite a bit but I would segregate it in a separate area just for piece of mind. As mentioned above a cooler in the garage would insulate it as well as remove it from the other stock. Do you have to step outside the closet to change your mind?? That's tight....
 
Problem with black is confinement. If you store it in a container that confines it in any way, it'll go off like a bomb instead of a burn. Meaning, if you put it in a metal safe, make darn sure it's a tough one and static free. Otherwise, a wood box with original packaging would be fine. No static and relatively little confinement.
 
Your reloading closet looks just like my reloading closet except I have about 12 long guns in soft case stacked vertically in mine. All my powder is up in the man cave in one of the dormers. I offered to buy a armoir or something wife approved but she said no. Ok so jugs of powder sitting on the floor in a dormer is preferable to being in a nice piece of furniture. More money for guns.
 
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