Storing gunpowder/ammo?

[Lycanthrope]

I was thinking the other day that ive got a lot of gunpowder setting around in the original containers, mostly 8lb jugs, and since I dont use it very fast, I should explore better ways to store it. I ended up putting it in 1/2 gallon glass mason jars with desiccant packs and o2 absorber packs and vacuum sealing a bunch of it. I figure this should maximize storage/shelf life... Anyone else do something similar? How long, from your experience, is gunpowder good for before it starts to degrade? Its always kept in a cool, dark closet in my basement.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Also went a bit overboard buying and storing ammo recently... Sealed with silica and O2 packs.

 

[guywhofishes]

That'll all last longer than you will with practically zero degradation.

By the way, can you guess what's in the O2 scavenger packs?

 

[Tymurrey]

I don't do anything special with my powder or primers, i store them in containers that will keep water out unless submerged and powder is in original jugs. Up until a few years ago i was loading ammo with powder dad bought from sioux sporting goods. As far as long term ammo storage i have them in the MTM ammo cans and military surplus ammo cans if the seals were in good shape with dessicant packs in them. My .223 gets stored on stripper clips with spoons and in 30 round cardboard sleeves along with a few 30 round mags tossed in the can too. I like it this way because they stack nice, take up minimal extra space and when i want to go shoot prairie dogs or whatever i just grab a can and go and loading the mags is easy and fast.

 

[Jiffy]

Funny you ask…..

I found a rouge container of Vargay from the early 2000s that I apparently misplaced. (Yes I date them). Anyway, I loaded some rounds for green gun with it and some more with new stuff.

Shot them side by side and compared.

Guess my results.

You get two guesses and the first one doesn’t count.

 

[Tymurrey]

i thought i read something one time where they checked powder for changes in weight versus volume after a container had been opened. if i remember right it was if the powder absorbed some moisture or if it lost weight. It might have even been for the guys that leave their powder hoppers full for periods of time. I think it did change the weight some but miniscule. For my shooting skills i've never noticed an issue but i don't worry about things like neck tension, weight sorting brass, primer depth, or any of that stuff.

 

[Traxion]

I’ve loaded lots of rounds with 40 year old powder in original containers. Not chronographed but the deer tipped over. Many with .243 which from reading here are likely to bounce off anyway!

 

[Lycanthrope]

i thought i read something one time where they checked powder for changes in weight versus volume after a container had been opened. if i remember right it was if the powder absorbed some moisture or if it lost weight. It might have even been for the guys that leave their powder hoppers full for periods of time. I think it did change the weight some but miniscule. For my shooting skills i've never noticed an issue but i don't worry about things like neck tension, weight sorting brass, primer depth, or any of that stuff.

from the research I had done, it sounds like temp and moisture are the worst as far as powder degradation goes, but I had some of those o2 packs so I threw them in anyway, figured it cant hurt.

 

[Traxion]

Was not being a smart ass with above comment. I’ve wondered about the realistic shelf life of powder and primers. I have lots of powder from the late 70’s. Primers not that old but still old. Stored in cabinets dry but original final containers.

Curious if there are any real guidelines out there

 

[bucksnbears]

I loaded a couple 100 rounds of .243 a few years ago with primers from the 60/70s.
No problem.