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Posted: 8/28/2008 4:25:09 PM EDT
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I am thinking of building a small powder magazine to hold the legal quantity of smokeless powder you can store in a home. My general idea is to make a wooden framework with plywood sides/top/bottom, lined with sheet rock (fire retardant), and with an air gap so pressures don't build in case of a fire. Does the above sound reasonable or problematic? Thanks, Paul |
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Lockable Powder Storage Container - Cabelas Just FYI, that's all... It sounds a little on the big side, but it supposed to meet BATF regulations and such. |
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Those commercial cabinets aren't cheap. The sheet rock would be for fire protection on the inside. From the Alliant Power website: DO NOT SUBJECT THE STORAGE CABINETS TO CLOSE CONFINEMENT. STORAGE CABINETS SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED OF INSULATING MATERIALS AND WITH A WEAK WALL SEAMS OR JOINTS TO PROVIDE AN EASY MEANS OF SELF-VENTING. 10-3.7 Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg) may be stored in original containers in residences. Quantities exceeding 20 lb (9.1 kg), but not exceeding 50 lb (22.7 kg), may be stored in residences if kept in a wooden box or cabinet having walls or at least 1-inc. (25.4-mm) nominal thickness. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cabelas has a "Lockable Powder Storage Container" for $280! Cabelas' Storage Container I'd like to think I can build a good container for less. Paul |
Don’t think much of that idea - it would expose the gunpowder to the outside heat. I made one many years ago (just of 1 inch thick wood) - I lightly tacked the top on so it would blow off under light pressure. Alternatively, make the vents you want and then plug them with something that will easily blow out. |
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I have been pondering this lately. Not sure how much I have, but it is enough to make a really hot fire, even if it doesn't go boom. In the next month or so, I'm going to make a small, underground, concrete 'box' with vents and a lockable door, and store power in air tight bags or plastic bins. It will probably become a scorpion haven, but at least the powder will be in a safe location. |
From Cabela's site " Dimensions: 22"W X 11"D X 14"H. Weight: 28.6 lbs. " 14" Blimey! Almost as big as Stone 'enge... That doesn't sound all that large to me. My guess is a half dozen one pound containers of smokeless powder would blow it sky high. |
You want it to set off the floor about 2 ft. I made mine out of silver backed wall foam. Holds 20 lbs. of powder and small one for primers. That's IMHO. Mike |
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Sheetrock is excellent as gypsum is a hydrated mineral. When exposed to heat, the water is released, keeping temperature down. Fire rated sheetrock is 5/8" for this reason. It will not pose a pressure problem if the fire rating isn't enough to keep temperature moderate. Much better than a safe which can become a bomb. |
It hold 50 lbs of powder, which, for me is a lot, I don't need something that big or pricey. |
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I don't know............ Assuming, "consumer/household amounts." I figure IF the house burns down......... Why am I worried about how the powder or primers were stored?  ________________________________________________ OK.........for ME. I just leave them in the factory packages and have them on the bench shelf. ________________________________________________ IF you're worried about "security" that's another thing. Aloha, Mark PS..............IMHO, zack-s has the right idea. |
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garyd, Mostly it's in the FIRE CODE. Check with your local jurisdiction. Start with.......... Storage of Powder and Primers www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/60 Ammo Storage www.alpharubicon.com/leo/longtermammo.htm Aloha, Mark |
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Let's say a fire turns into a really big fire with or without the help of the more than 20 but less than 50 pounds of powder you have stored in the house. Plus it is not stored according to the fire code. Your insurance company learns this fact. They have a very good reason to not pay your insurance claim and they are thrilled about it! This is the scenario I'm concerned about. I want to make a box (aka powder magazine) according to code with some fire/heat resistance and probably on wheels of some time just in case I have time to pull it out of the house during a fire. Thanks for the input - I'm still open to additional comments or ideas! Paul |
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