I'm thinking about being able to store a large supply of smokeless powder, primers and ammo. Is it normal to put them all together in a gun safe?
Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
- Thread starter targaflorio
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Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
Bad idea. If you ever have a fire and it gets warm enough, kaboom.
Bad idea. If you ever have a fire and it gets warm enough, kaboom.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MidwestPX</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bad idea. If you ever have a fire and it gets warm enough, kaboom. </div></div>
+1 I don't, just rather be safe then sorry.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MidwestPX</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bad idea. If you ever have a fire and it gets warm enough, kaboom. </div></div>
+1 I don't, just rather be safe then sorry.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
If you're looking for a huge bang in the event of a fire, by all means put powder in a safe.
If you have common sense about rapidly expanding gasses and tiny vent holes, you'd probably come to the conclusion that powder and primers in a safe is a bad, bad idea.
This is the reason most local ordinances require solid explosives to be stored in wooden cabinets or in the open.
Bottom line...don't do it.
If you're looking for a huge bang in the event of a fire, by all means put powder in a safe.
If you have common sense about rapidly expanding gasses and tiny vent holes, you'd probably come to the conclusion that powder and primers in a safe is a bad, bad idea.
This is the reason most local ordinances require solid explosives to be stored in wooden cabinets or in the open.
Bottom line...don't do it.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ok, no powder. how about ammo and primers? </div></div>
Sure, if you don't care about the other contents.
Think about it. You are putting your most valuable possessions in a safe to protect them. Why would you put things in there which, when they go bang, will tear the hell out of everything else in there?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ok, no powder. how about ammo and primers? </div></div>
Sure, if you don't care about the other contents.
Think about it. You are putting your most valuable possessions in a safe to protect them. Why would you put things in there which, when they go bang, will tear the hell out of everything else in there?
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
I don't keep any powder, primers, loaded ammo, gasoline, kerosene, or anything else likely to explode or catch fire inside my gun safe. Your average housefire can reach temps in excess of 1500 degrees F. Even my safe, which has a 1680 degree F fire protection rating for 90min, will allow the interior temp of the safe to reach around 350 degrees or so!! Cheaper safes will get even hotter inside in much less time. You are asking for a BIG BANG if you store powder, primers, ammo, etc. inside your safe and to otherwise destroy anything and everything you have stored in the safe.
Why would you think that would be a good idea to store anything that can ignite/explode in an enclosed/sealed environment that can reach those kind of temps?!?
I don't keep any powder, primers, loaded ammo, gasoline, kerosene, or anything else likely to explode or catch fire inside my gun safe. Your average housefire can reach temps in excess of 1500 degrees F. Even my safe, which has a 1680 degree F fire protection rating for 90min, will allow the interior temp of the safe to reach around 350 degrees or so!! Cheaper safes will get even hotter inside in much less time. You are asking for a BIG BANG if you store powder, primers, ammo, etc. inside your safe and to otherwise destroy anything and everything you have stored in the safe.
Why would you think that would be a good idea to store anything that can ignite/explode in an enclosed/sealed environment that can reach those kind of temps?!?
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
Think of the safe the way you would a rifle or pistol round. They're both enclosed containers containing smokeless powder. What happens to a round when the primer ignites the powder? Lots of pressure is generated, the gun goes boom and the bullet goes downrange. Now put that scenario into the size of a safe. Much bigger boom, right?
Think of the safe the way you would a rifle or pistol round. They're both enclosed containers containing smokeless powder. What happens to a round when the primer ignites the powder? Lots of pressure is generated, the gun goes boom and the bullet goes downrange. Now put that scenario into the size of a safe. Much bigger boom, right?
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
so a dedicated ammo safe? with nothing else in it? i gotta keep everything out of reach of kids, etc...
so a dedicated ammo safe? with nothing else in it? i gotta keep everything out of reach of kids, etc...
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">so a dedicated ammo safe? with nothing else in it? i gotta keep everything out of reach of kids, etc...</div></div>
Putting it in a safe is a bad idea regardless of what else may or may not be in the safe. If it were me, I'd buy a lock for the door.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">so a dedicated ammo safe? with nothing else in it? i gotta keep everything out of reach of kids, etc...</div></div>
Putting it in a safe is a bad idea regardless of what else may or may not be in the safe. If it were me, I'd buy a lock for the door.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">so a dedicated ammo safe? with nothing else in it? i gotta keep everything out of reach of kids, etc... </div></div>
Keeping your reloading room/workshop/basement/etc. locked and your powder/primers/ammo in a cool, dry place is the best way to go.
Aside from that, maybe a cheap plastic footlocker/trunk/rubbermaid type container that you can put a padlock on??? Not the most secure thing in the world, but it will keep prying eyes/fingers off your ammo and reloading components and likely won't result in a major blowup of your home (or neighbor's home) should a fire break out (God forbid).
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">so a dedicated ammo safe? with nothing else in it? i gotta keep everything out of reach of kids, etc... </div></div>
Keeping your reloading room/workshop/basement/etc. locked and your powder/primers/ammo in a cool, dry place is the best way to go.
Aside from that, maybe a cheap plastic footlocker/trunk/rubbermaid type container that you can put a padlock on??? Not the most secure thing in the world, but it will keep prying eyes/fingers off your ammo and reloading components and likely won't result in a major blowup of your home (or neighbor's home) should a fire break out (God forbid).
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
They do make explosive cabinets that are designed to relief the gases in event of a fire. I have never seen one lockable that I remeber. I would guess there is one available.
They do make explosive cabinets that are designed to relief the gases in event of a fire. I have never seen one lockable that I remeber. I would guess there is one available.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
Agree on keeping combustibles / explosives separated from firearms. I have been using an old Steelcase (as in heavy duty, not this new stuff) lockable storage locker for powder, and a lockable closet for loaded ammo and primers. Locks are to deter "inquisitive fingers".
Agree on keeping combustibles / explosives separated from firearms. I have been using an old Steelcase (as in heavy duty, not this new stuff) lockable storage locker for powder, and a lockable closet for loaded ammo and primers. Locks are to deter "inquisitive fingers".
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
It is called a "weak wall" enclosure. A wall of the enclosure is built of lighter weight materiel that will vent if pressures go up. The fed specs are for a 1" wall wooden box...slows down fires and allows pressures out. I'd do a half inch plywood box with 3/4 inch drywall liners inside. Keep primers and powders in separate boxes. JMHO
It is called a "weak wall" enclosure. A wall of the enclosure is built of lighter weight materiel that will vent if pressures go up. The fed specs are for a 1" wall wooden box...slows down fires and allows pressures out. I'd do a half inch plywood box with 3/4 inch drywall liners inside. Keep primers and powders in separate boxes. JMHO
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
are you trying to keep them cool and dry or lock them up and if your locking them up to what degree.
I have been planing to make a bo out of 2x4s and fire rated dry wall. thisway I can have an inch( two layers) of drywall enclosing my powder and primers.
this was recommended to me by a fire inspector that i know who relods. the drywall will protect everything from small fires and allowd you to lock them to keep them out of innocent hands. If a fire does get inside of the box the drywall will give and lower hte chance of an explosion. The best part is you can make them just about any size, and you can put a safe dryer in it and put it under the bench.
are you trying to keep them cool and dry or lock them up and if your locking them up to what degree.
I have been planing to make a bo out of 2x4s and fire rated dry wall. thisway I can have an inch( two layers) of drywall enclosing my powder and primers.
this was recommended to me by a fire inspector that i know who relods. the drywall will protect everything from small fires and allowd you to lock them to keep them out of innocent hands. If a fire does get inside of the box the drywall will give and lower hte chance of an explosion. The best part is you can make them just about any size, and you can put a safe dryer in it and put it under the bench.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
Want to hear something nuttier than squirrel turds?
The city code for Salinas CA requires all powder be stored in a safe.
Best part, guess who pushed for it to be passed.......
The city fire marshall. And no. This is not a joke. I didn't know and finally broke down and asked my local shop why the hell they would keep it in a safe. That is when they explained it to me.
Gotta love this state.
Want to hear something nuttier than squirrel turds?
The city code for Salinas CA requires all powder be stored in a safe.
Best part, guess who pushed for it to be passed.......
The city fire marshall. And no. This is not a joke. I didn't know and finally broke down and asked my local shop why the hell they would keep it in a safe. That is when they explained it to me.
Gotta love this state.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: brand692</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Want to hear something nuttier than squirrel turds?
The city code for Salinas CA requires all powder be stored in a safe.
Best part, guess who pushed for it to be passed.......
The city fire marshall. And no. This is not a joke. I didn't know and finally broke down and asked my local shop why the hell they would keep it in a safe. That is when they explained it to me.
Gotta love this state. </div></div>
Damn!!! Now that is just crazy (and stupid) enough to only be a law in Kalifornia! Must be more concerned with kids (or undesirable persons) getting hold of powder/primers and doing bad things with them than they are concerned about giant 1,500lb explosive steel safes causing injuries/deaths?!?!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: brand692</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Want to hear something nuttier than squirrel turds?
The city code for Salinas CA requires all powder be stored in a safe.
Best part, guess who pushed for it to be passed.......
The city fire marshall. And no. This is not a joke. I didn't know and finally broke down and asked my local shop why the hell they would keep it in a safe. That is when they explained it to me.
Gotta love this state. </div></div>
Damn!!! Now that is just crazy (and stupid) enough to only be a law in Kalifornia! Must be more concerned with kids (or undesirable persons) getting hold of powder/primers and doing bad things with them than they are concerned about giant 1,500lb explosive steel safes causing injuries/deaths?!?!
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
as a matter of fact I do keep my powders in a safe, an old sheet metal turd burglar stack on brand i bought cheep from wally martinez(yup, wal-mart). But that is the Only thing in that safe, the cache is in a good safe, matter of fact in a different house
as a matter of fact I do keep my powders in a safe, an old sheet metal turd burglar stack on brand i bought cheep from wally martinez(yup, wal-mart). But that is the Only thing in that safe, the cache is in a good safe, matter of fact in a different house
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
Never together. Murphy knows where I live...
Powder magazine is a 20mm ammo box, marked same as the powder cabinets in the G&A stores. Primers are kept in a separate .50cal ammo box. Firearms are kept in two locked steel cabinets in one building, ammo in small fastgrab satchels on shelves in another. I have Grandkids, one is a teen, another will be in a year or two. This is for <span style="font-style: italic">their</span> protection, if need be, even from themselves.
Greg
Never together. Murphy knows where I live...
Powder magazine is a 20mm ammo box, marked same as the powder cabinets in the G&A stores. Primers are kept in a separate .50cal ammo box. Firearms are kept in two locked steel cabinets in one building, ammo in small fastgrab satchels on shelves in another. I have Grandkids, one is a teen, another will be in a year or two. This is for <span style="font-style: italic">their</span> protection, if need be, even from themselves.
Greg
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
Ammo cans are good, and easy to throw a padlock on.
I had a house fire about 20 years ago, and had all my ammo, reloading stuff, etc. in 30 cal, 50 cal, and the big 20mm boxes.
Those cans will get almost round as they let the pressure relieve, you will have a layer of solid lead on the bottom of the can, and all the split brass will be piled on top of it.
NO rounds escaped the cans, whoever designed them did their homework.
Ammo cans are good, and easy to throw a padlock on.
I had a house fire about 20 years ago, and had all my ammo, reloading stuff, etc. in 30 cal, 50 cal, and the big 20mm boxes.
Those cans will get almost round as they let the pressure relieve, you will have a layer of solid lead on the bottom of the can, and all the split brass will be piled on top of it.
NO rounds escaped the cans, whoever designed them did their homework.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
I also store my primers/ammo in ammo cans. They are cheap and about as sturdy as you could want. I should probably put it away, but my powder is usually sitting in jugs on my bench top.
I also store my primers/ammo in ammo cans. They are cheap and about as sturdy as you could want. I should probably put it away, but my powder is usually sitting in jugs on my bench top.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hellbender</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ammo cans are good, and easy to throw a padlock on.
I had a house fire about 20 years ago, and had all my ammo, reloading stuff, etc. in 30 cal, 50 cal, and the big 20mm boxes.
Those cans will get almost round as they let the pressure relieve, you will have a layer of solid lead on the bottom of the can, and all the split brass will be piled on top of it.
NO rounds escaped the cans, whoever designed them did their homework. </div></div>
Thanks for the tip! I need to get the powder and primers out of the safe and use some of my ammo cans instead.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hellbender</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ammo cans are good, and easy to throw a padlock on.
I had a house fire about 20 years ago, and had all my ammo, reloading stuff, etc. in 30 cal, 50 cal, and the big 20mm boxes.
Those cans will get almost round as they let the pressure relieve, you will have a layer of solid lead on the bottom of the can, and all the split brass will be piled on top of it.
NO rounds escaped the cans, whoever designed them did their homework. </div></div>
Thanks for the tip! I need to get the powder and primers out of the safe and use some of my ammo cans instead.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
Here ya go:
Lockable Powder Storage Container
Keep your black powder and smokeless powder secure and safe at home or cabin. Lockable Powder Storage Container meets or exceeds BATF regulations and specifications for a Type 4 indoor portable magazine. Large enough to hold up to 50 one-pound cans of powder.
http://www.cabelas.com/p-0012533.shtml
Here ya go:
Lockable Powder Storage Container
Keep your black powder and smokeless powder secure and safe at home or cabin. Lockable Powder Storage Container meets or exceeds BATF regulations and specifications for a Type 4 indoor portable magazine. Large enough to hold up to 50 one-pound cans of powder.
http://www.cabelas.com/p-0012533.shtml
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
Just a thought (cause I got one), what about a metal gym locker. The door has vents (maybe not enough) but more could be added. I run across it and thought it'd be good to store some of my stuff in. Not my first thought to but powder and primers in. My first thought was a gear locker for vest backs and such.
Just a thought (cause I got one), what about a metal gym locker. The door has vents (maybe not enough) but more could be added. I run across it and thought it'd be good to store some of my stuff in. Not my first thought to but powder and primers in. My first thought was a gear locker for vest backs and such.
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
I have a pretty large 3/4 wooden enclosure that I have my powder in..I guess the only positive reason you would store powder in a safe is so when theives ever get the safe out and try to tourch it, it goes kaboom....
I have a pretty large 3/4 wooden enclosure that I have my powder in..I guess the only positive reason you would store powder in a safe is so when theives ever get the safe out and try to tourch it, it goes kaboom....
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
A gym locker should be fine.They are vented and are not real strong,like a safe.I use a metal cabnet,built like a gym locker for my ammo and stuff. Pete
A gym locker should be fine.They are vented and are not real strong,like a safe.I use a metal cabnet,built like a gym locker for my ammo and stuff. Pete
Re: Anyone store powder, primers, ammo in gun safe?
Let me throw out a counter point that does not apply to most.
My ammo is worth more than my rifles, even though I bought it years ago when it was really cheap. The odds of theft are greater than fire. When I consider these two points, I take the chance and store ammo in a safe. It also makes the safe harder to move, so a theif would have to open it right there, rather than after they get it out of the house.
Powder and primers are stored in their original containers (not in the safe).
Let me throw out a counter point that does not apply to most.
My ammo is worth more than my rifles, even though I bought it years ago when it was really cheap. The odds of theft are greater than fire. When I consider these two points, I take the chance and store ammo in a safe. It also makes the safe harder to move, so a theif would have to open it right there, rather than after they get it out of the house.
Powder and primers are stored in their original containers (not in the safe).
