Important Guidelines for Reloading Powder Storage

December 12, 2022Reloading Powder Storage — Important Guidelines To FollowSUMMARY Powder can have a very lengthy shelf life. Watch out for changes in color and smell. A powder with a reddish tint, which is almost like rust, is a sign of trouble. These signs are indicators that it is time to dispose off your powder using other methods than shooting. To ensure powder safety and consistency, there are some things you need to know about powder storage. Hodgdon acquired Western Powders and published a series of Q & A entitled Dear Labby: Questions to our Ballistics Lab. Here are some excerpts about powder storage and shelf-life. Are you concerned that your powder might be too old? Western’s experts show you how to check for warning signs in your propellants. Powders can become unstable if they are not stored in an air-conditioned area. My wife said that there should be no primers or powder in the house. Is powder safe to be stored in a fridge? You might also consider a fireproof safe. Your ideas are welcome. M.C.Lab Answer : The SAAMI guidelines for powder storage are very clear. The SAAMI guidelines for powder storage (PDF) recommend that smokeless powders be stored in containers that won’t allow pressure to build up if they are ignited. This excludes gun safes and refrigerators. The lifespan of smokeless powders is often longer than what a handloader would need to store them. Your powder will last for years if stored in a garage or other safe place. Your powder should last for years if it develops a reddish hue or gives off a foul odor. It is full of clumps, I discovered when I opened it. According to my knowledge, that would indicate moisture. Is this correct? I broke the seal just now and it was stored in an ammo container with desiccant packets around it and a humidifier running 14-16 hours per day. This could be a sign of moisture, but I don’t think it is my fault. I don’t know whether the pink part of the label is supposed to be red, but it is pink. If it was red, I wonder if it was an old container. I hope this isn’t too bad and that it doesn’t bother me. Lab Answer: All powders contain some moisture. The powder can undergo temperature cycles during storage or shipping. The moisture can pull at the surface, causing clumping. If the powder is too dry or has a low amount of graphite, clumping can also occur. Clumps can be broken up before you measure, and shouldn’t pose a problem. Powder performance will not be affected by this, so your product will still work fine. Pink is the best color for accurate 1680 labels. Side note: Powder testing specifications are at 70? F and 60% humidity.Shelf life and Packaging DatesQ. I was wondering if powder can ever be used and what markings do you put on it. It works great and causes very little stress. R.B.Lab Answer – The number on one-pound bottles is located in the corner of a silver box. If the powder were to be poured today, it would read 012815 and then a lot number. The whole number would look like 012815749. Eight-pound bottles come with a sticker at the bottom that has a clearly visible date code. The date is above the lot number.
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