Davecoff13 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 I am sure this has been covered many times before but, how long will powder and primers store for? Want to buy in bulk but don't want them to go bad before I can use them. How long can they be stored for , in original containers , heated garage in winter, sometimes a/c in summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC27 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 My understanding is that if stored properly (cool, dark, dry place), they will last longer than you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 I am 72 years old, and have a good supply of powder from the 80's It still goes bang .... I've been told by someone who worked manufacturing primers that even if they get WET, they're just fine as soon as they dry out (and I'm still shooting primers that were caught in a flooded kitchen 3 years ago). BUY BULK ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A4ME Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 About 4 years ago I ran across some powder and primers I'd put in the attic back in 1985. At that time most of that stuff was a year to five years old. I got it out of the attic and used up all the primers (4,000 of them) and most of the powder (have 3 or 4 partial one lb. cans left). The attic has got to be 115 F or hotter in the summer months and down to near freezing in the winter months. Damp/humid, too. Not a single misfire out of the primers and every can of powder I opened up was still good. I don't get tore up about powder/primer storage these days. I keep my stuff in an unheated garage shelf/cabinet where I do my reloading. I also ran across several boxes of ammo I'd loaded back in the early 80's. The rifle ammo was still very accurate and all of it, pistol or rifle went bang when I used it up (well, haven't used it all up yet. I need to start shooting that stuff up more often but I don't shoot .45 acp much anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davecoff13 Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 Perfect, thanks for the replies, going to have to make order!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeinctown Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 Just a thought, but I have a foodsaver vacuum sealer and have vacuum sealed several boxes of primers and ammo for long term storage, just so I am sure no humidity will cause issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 15 hours ago, mikeinctown said: I have vacuum sealed primers and ammo for long term storage ^^^ GREAT IDEA ^^^^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absocold Posted November 25, 2016 Share Posted November 25, 2016 Store powder in the original plastic container it comes in and, since powder is hygroscopic, make sure the waxed paper seal inside the lid is in place and screw it down tight. Good for decades. For primer storage, I put fresh silicone on the o-ring of a steel .50cal ammo can, toss in the primers along with oxygen absorbing packets and desiccant, close it up and put a boxcar seal on it to make sure that I know it's un-opened and the water and oxygen absorbers are good. Primers (and ammo) stored like this will last until the earth is swallowed by the sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschweg Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 I recently found an unopened pound of Hercules branded Unique in my dad's basement purchased sometime in the early 90s. Threw it in the powder measure and loaded all of it into 9mm and it ran perfect. Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 On 11/21/2016 at 5:12 PM, Hi-Power Jack said: I am 72 years old, and have a good supply of powder from the 80's It still goes bang .... I've been told by someone who worked manufacturing primers that even if they get WET, they're just fine as soon as they dry out (and I'm still shooting primers that were caught in a flooded kitchen 3 years ago). BUY BULK ... primers are mixed wet, worked wet, and stored wet by the manufacturers. a little water wont hurt them, so long as you let them dry out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absocold Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 Primer compound is mixed and worked wet. Finished primers are not stored wet. Every single primer manufacturer and SAAMI will tell you that sporting ammunition primers stored in very humid or wet conditions will deteriorate. The explosive is very stable and doesn't attract water but the cup and anvil are metal. Metal + water = bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 did not say finished primers were stored wet, the mix is though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeinctown Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 On 11/29/2016 at 7:26 PM, lefty o said: did not say finished primers were stored wet, the mix is though. Actually you did by your choice of words. "primers are mixed wet, worked wet, and stored wet" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 (edited) actually no, your making an assumption. primer mix is stored submerged! Edited December 15, 2016 by lefty o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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