I've read that you shouldn't keep powder in the gun safe...it makes it a big bomb.

 

But I've got kids and those kids have friends and I mean, Good Lord, I'm tempted to see what happens with gun powder, so I can only imagine the temptation of a kid. lol

 

So, I don't want to leave jugs of the stuff laying around, but I don't have room in my safe. Anyone have any ideas for something in the middle?

 

I was thinking of an old Gym locker or file cabinet, that can be locked.

I'm pretty sure your homeowners insurance co will want it stored in a wooden cabinet with at least 1" thick walls.

I'm pretty sure your homeowners insurance co will want it stored in a wooden cabinet with at least 1" thick walls.

 

Powder Battery.

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Hodgdon%20Basic%20Manual.pdf

 

Pages 14 and 15. It cites the NFPA standard for quantities and construction types.

 

The real answer is: How long would it take the FD to get to your house and make a stop on the fire prior to it penetrating your enclosure?

According to the NFPA you may store your smokeless powder in the original packaging up to 20 lbs. It doesn't really represent an explosive hazard . . . it's more a deflagration (fire) hazard.

 

http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/storage_handling.aspx

 

I wouldn't be too worried about it. Use the same precautions you would for other flammables. It's a propellant and not a high explosive.

Actually, a fireproof safe is probably a great place for your powder.

Actually, a fireproof safe is probably a great place for your powder.

 

Until the interior of the safe reaches the flash point of powder. At that point, self-oxidizing fuel at its flash point in a confined space...

After pondering this last night I think I've come up iwth a solution.

 

Primers will remain in safe.

Powder in a secured tool box, bolted down so it can't be moved (easily).

Bullet heads and brass are not a concern.

 

Thanks all!

My wifes first words when she found out I was going to start reloading.

 

her "Gun Powder, in the house?"

 

me "Um, yeah."

 

her "Keep my father out of the basement...he'll try and build a REALLY big firecracker."

 

 

Hah. I've made some homemade firecrackers myself too...

 

But yeah - since I have small quantities of powder, I keep 'em in some ammo boxes.

My father in law is the guy, who when NYC illegal fireworks displays were all the rage, would send the neighborhood kids to pick up all the unfired firecrackers (duds) so he could open them to harvest the gun powder. I'm told he'd sit there for hours, like he was picking crabs. lol

 

Needless to say, I need to keep the powder under lock and key. I'm less worried about my teenage kids and their friends than I am about him. lol

Those sentry locking cabinets at Dick's are perfect for this sort of stuff. Just enough security to keeps the honest people honest and also keep your stuff organized.

her "Gun Powder, in the house?"

 

Your answer should have been that you don't have any gunpowder (unless you are doing black powder stuff). You have smokeless powder.

 

Pour some in your hand, put a match to it, see what happens. No big deal.