joethereloader
New Member
once opened, can i store in smaller containers.help need
4 lbs powder
- Thread starter joethereloader
- Start date
JonB
Halcyon member
My answer is yes. But be smart about it. Myself, I reuse and relabel 1lb commercial powder containers for use with Mil surp powders that come in 8 lb jugs.
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I've been told 60-70 years ago, it was common for a gunshop to order a keg of mil surp powder and sell it by the lb, and put it loose in a paper lunch bag.
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I've been told 60-70 years ago, it was common for a gunshop to order a keg of mil surp powder and sell it by the lb, and put it loose in a paper lunch bag.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Perfectly safe. My ready to use Bullseye powder is kept in a pre-WW2 paper and metal 8 ounce can. Don't label, don't keep records and don't make exactly what you have done? You are on your own brother!!
I can see others' points on why not, but properly labeling on containers made from the same material has helped me manage space to a great extent and allows me to have a small amount where I am working, with the bulk of a larger volume somewhere away from the work area.
Years ago, I bought a big box of the rectangular motor-oil bottles from a plastics plant in Dayton. It's made of the same stuff the plastic bottle from the manufacturers ship powder in and the white bottles have plenty of space to record pertinent data by means of a Sharpie.
Some of the jugs, especially the eight-pounders are only half full, when full, and take up a lot of space. The one-quart oil bottles hold over two pounds of most of the powders I use and are much smaller than say Alliant's one-pound containers.
The little translucent strip on the edge of the oil bottles give you a quick reference to what's left in the container without opening it, or even picking it up. They fit perfectly in the door shelves of a defunct upright freezer I use for storage.
Bottom line, handling or storing powder is a big responsibility with big consequences if done improperly. Maybe I'd say "take your own chances," but too often others' chances are at stake - like family-members, so use care, use caution and don't do things out of HABIT - THINK, process, consciously consider and intentionally do whatever you do, especially when it comes to stuff that can be dangerous if mishandled.
Years ago, I bought a big box of the rectangular motor-oil bottles from a plastics plant in Dayton. It's made of the same stuff the plastic bottle from the manufacturers ship powder in and the white bottles have plenty of space to record pertinent data by means of a Sharpie.
Some of the jugs, especially the eight-pounders are only half full, when full, and take up a lot of space. The one-quart oil bottles hold over two pounds of most of the powders I use and are much smaller than say Alliant's one-pound containers.
The little translucent strip on the edge of the oil bottles give you a quick reference to what's left in the container without opening it, or even picking it up. They fit perfectly in the door shelves of a defunct upright freezer I use for storage.
Bottom line, handling or storing powder is a big responsibility with big consequences if done improperly. Maybe I'd say "take your own chances," but too often others' chances are at stake - like family-members, so use care, use caution and don't do things out of HABIT - THINK, process, consciously consider and intentionally do whatever you do, especially when it comes to stuff that can be dangerous if mishandled.
Winelover
North Central Arkansas
I do it the other way. Purchase a one pound container to try. If it makes the cut. Buy in 8 pounders and keep filling up the one pounder. Rinse and repeat.
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joethereloader
New Member
Thank you all
TXTad
Active Member
I generally buy a 1 pound container of whatever powders I also buy in larger containers. I refill the smaller container from the larger container. I've never worried about having a fractionally filled large container, but I feel like opening the larger container less often may be helpful in extending the life of the powder. Even if it makes no difference in the shelf-life of the powder (it's already long), it's more convenient handling the smaller containers. I still use a metal WW296 can I've had for 30+ years.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I store a lot of my powder in little brass containers with lead stoppers. 
richhodg66
Well-Known Member
Always liked the old rectangular steel cans IMR powders came in, make more efficient use of shelf space. Been thinking about buying some of these;
One pint paint cans
One pint paint cans
Winelover
North Central Arkansas
Had access to those types of cans when before I retired. Personally, I don't care for the narrow mouth. Too hard to refill, without a funnel and that is a slow process. Much prefer the new wide mouth plastic bottles. Empty powder reservoir into a Dixie paper bowl, then bend the bowl to pour back into original container. BTW, the Dixie bowl is just the right height to fit under the dump spout of the RCBS Chargemaster powder dispenser.
TXTad
Active Member
There's a quart can with a slightly larger opening: https://www.thecarycompany.com/f-style-oblong-steel-cans-30w14g
joethereloader
New Member
your link, has a minimum of 200 dollars
BBerguson
Official Pennsyltuckian
And an explosive plug in the other end! Doesn’t sound very safe to everyone but us!I store a lot of my powder in little brass containers with lead stoppers.