OT - Powder storage question

[airedaleman]

I'm pulling down about 700 rounds of .223 ammunition that I loaded over the past several years. They represent a lot of IMR 4198, which I am loath to throw away. (A .222 is on the way.) For the time being, the charges are being dumped in a couple of new pint mason jars, which will be stored in a cabinet in our cool, DRY basement. Any comment on the jars as storage contaiers?

[Hobie]

I wouldn't want to throw out 2½ lbs of powder either! Just make sure the jars are dry, keep them out of the light. Use that powder as quick as you can.

[AJMD429]

Label and date it. Fluorescent lights (or sunlight) might get enough UV through the fairly 'pure' glass of a canning jar to degrade chemicals, so keep away from those things.

[CJM]

They're glass, so don't drop them, they break. And keep them out of sunlight too, probably not a problem in a basement, but mine has a south facing window that does let in some direct sunlight, and that's not good for powder in a clear container.

[adirondakjack]

Ya might wanna upgrade by going to a paint store and asking if they have new quart paint cans you could buy for a buck or so. I'd like that a lot better than glass if it were me. OR get yerself a couple brand new (dollar store) PLASTIC water bottles with screw on lids (the kind ya can't see through).

[76/444]

Plastic containers are cheap, opaque and plentiful. You could always spray paint the mason jars.

[pokey]

ammo cans, man, ammo cans.

air tight, light tight.

[airedaleman]

Gentlemen, thanks for all the replies. The Mason jars are kind of a field expedient (left over from pickel-making last season). The opaque plastic water bottles sound like a good way to go. Thanks again!

[Alan Wood]

Not being a reloader myselfI kinda hesitate askin this question.

Just how sure are you that these loads are all of the same powder?

If you aren't absolutely certain...
Your options are risking a spectacular blow up or throw the powder away.

[Cimarron Red]

There's no better storage container for powder than -- powder cans, clearly labeled as to the new contents, of course.

[airedaleman]

Not being a reloader myselfI kinda hesitate askin this question.

Just how sure are you that these loads are all of the same powder?

If you aren't absolutely certain...
Your options are risking a spectacular blow up or throw the powder away.

Fair question. I loaded this ammunition; each box of 20 was labeled with the type of powder and charge weight. If there were any question as to the origin of this ammunition, I wouldn't even consider trying to salvage the powder.

As an aside to the question of packaging, Hodgdon got his start selling surplus 4895 powder in 1-pound paper bags!

[Modoc ED]

As an aside to the question of packaging, Hodgdon got his start selling surplus 4895 powder in 1-pound paper bags!

Yes he did and paper bags are opaque. Hmmmmmmm, maybe you could put the glass jugs in paper bags and store em that way.

[J Miller]

Several years ago I was given about 2 pounds of Alcan AL-7 in a metal coffee can with a clear plastic lid. After I verified that's what it was I put it in one of the large black plastic Unique bottles and wrapped an 8.5x11" sheet of self adhesive paper around the label. Then I marked the bottle with what was in it.
Worked very well.
I've used up all the AL-7 unfortunately and the bottle now holds some H110 and is so marked.

That, is my suggestion.

Joe

[RKrodle]

For my own curiosity, what would happen to powder stored in glass in case of a fire? Would it go poof or KABOOM?