Powder Storage and Transportation - Things you must be aware of!!

[flounderv2]

Since the last year or 2 have created challenges for us reloaders due to powder and primer shortages which has caused many to buy in bulk more than normal, there are a few things I figured that we should all be aware of regarding the laws around powder storage and transportation. The below regulations are some of the primary things to be aware of. Additionally, your State, City, Town, Township, or municipality may have additional requirements that need to be followed. Ive bolded some of the key things to make sure you remember when purchasing, transporting, or storing powder residentially. At this time I have not found anything regarding primer limits or storage.

from Hodgdon's site pg15
14.3.1 Quantities of smokeless propellants not exceeding 11.3 kg (25 lb) in shipping
containers approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation shall be permitted to be
transported in a private vehicle.
14.3.2 Quantities of smokeless propellants exceeding 11.3 kg (25 lb), but not exceeding
22.7 kg (50 lb), transported in a private vehicle shall be transported in a portable magazine
having wood walls of at least 25.4 mm (1 in.) nominal thickness.
14.3.3 Transportation of more than 22.7 kg (50 lb) of smokeless propellants in a private
vehicle shall be prohibited.
14.3.4 Commercial shipments of smokeless propellants for small arms that has been
classed in Division 1.3 shall be permitted to be reclassed as Division 4.1 flammable solid
for transportation purposes for shipment by motor vehicle, rail car, vessel, or cargo-only
aircraft, subject to the conditions stated in the U.S. Departmant of Transportation 49 CFR
173.171.
14.3.5 Commercial shipments of smokeless propellants exceeding 45.4 kg (100 lb) or
not packaged in accordance with the regulations cited in 14.3.4 shall be transported in
accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for Division 1.1 or 1.3
explosives.
14.3.6 Smokeless propellants shall be stored n shipping containers specified by U.S.
Department of Transportation “Hazardous Materials Regulations.”
14.3.7 Quantities
14.3.7.1 Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not exceeding 9.1
kg (20 lb) shall be permitted to be stored in original containers in residences.
14.3.7.2 Quantites exceeding 9.1 kg (20 lb), but not exceeding 22.7 kg (50 lb), shall be
permitted to be stored in residences where kept in a wooden box or cabinet having walls of
a t least 25.4 mm (1 in.) nominal thickness.
14.3.8 Not more than 22.7 kg (50 lb) of smokeless propellants, in containers of a 0.45
kg (1 lb) maximum capacity, shall be displayed in commercial establishments.
14.3.9 Commercial stocks of smokeless propellants shall be stored as follows:
(1) Quantities exceeding 22.7 kg (50 lb), but not exceeding 45.4 kg (100 lb), shall be
stored in portable wooden boxes having walls of at least a 25.4 mm (1 in)
thickness.
(2) Quantities exceeding 45.4 kg (100 lb), but not exceeding 363 kg (800 lb), shall be
stored in nonportable storage cabinets having walls of at least 25.4 mm (1 in)
thickness.
(3) Not more than 181 kg (400 lb) shall be permitted to be stored in any one cabinet,
and cab inets shall be separated by a distance of at least 7.63 m (25 ft) or by a
fire partition having a fire resistance of at least 1 hour.
14.3 Smokeless Propellants
(4) Quantities exceeding 363 kg (800 lb) but not exceeding 2268 kg (5000 lb) shall be
permitted to be stored in a building, provided the following requirements are met:
(a) The warehouse or storage room shall not be accessible to unauthorized
personnel.
(b) Smokeless propellants shall be stored in nonportable storage cabinets
having wood walls of at least 25.4 mm (1 in.) thickness and having shelves
with no more that 0.92 m (3 ft) of separation bebween shelves.
(c) No more than 181 kg (400 lb) shall be stored in any one cabinet.
(d) Cabinets shall be located against the walls of the stroage room or warehouse
with at least 12.2 m (40 ft) between cabinets.
(e) The separation between cabinets shall be permitted to be reduced to 6.1 m
(20 ft) where barricades twice the height of the cabinets are attached to the
wall, midway between each cabinet.
(f) The barricades shall extend at least 3 m (10 ft) outward, shall be firmly
attached to the wall, and shall be constructed of 6.4 mm (1/4 in) boiler plate,
51 mm (2 in.) thick wood, brick, or concrete block.
(g) Smokeless propellants shall be separated from materials classified by the
U.S. DOT as flammable liquids, flammable solids, and oxidizing materials
by a distance of 7.63 m (25 ft) or by a fire partition having a fire resistance of
at least 1 hour.
(h) The building shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
(5) Smokeless propellants not stored in accordance with 14.3.9(1) through 14.3.9(4)
shall be stored in a Type 4 magazine constructed and located in accordance with
Chapter 9.

 

[Dacam]

This is good info.
I know of a few of my friends that keep their powder in the gun safe, I have told them that its a huge pressurized container (bomb) waiting to happen.
In addition, the gun safe traps moisture....idiots.

 

[flounderv2]

That's a little odd. Off memory, I believe saami recommends powder storage in lightly constructed cabinets with the intent of them not detaining pressure.

A cabinet made of wood. Generally a wooden cabinet would not be considered pressure vessel, such as a metal safe or metal cabinet would. Also there are less shrapnel concerns with a wooden cabinet/box in the event of a fire.

 

[thrusty]

I put my components in the safe because the odds of thievery are higher than the odds of a spark in a safe that has no electric run to it.
Inside the safe are silica gel dehumidifiers and outside is a 70 pint dehumidifier running. Basement is environmentally controlled too...40% humidity 24/7.

I also don't tell inspectors the amounts of components I store...I figure if they are entering my place with a warrant, I've got bigger problems.
Traveling with the stuff is a whole other ballgame...follow the rules folks (especially traveling through Maryland and the other 2A hater states).

FYI to the gov officials and/or thieves reading this post....I have used all my components up...the safe only has a legally-owned Highpoint pistol in it...[to the thieves:] nothing worth losing your life over.

 

[RTK]

LOL

FYI to the gov officials and/or thieves reading this post....I have used all my components up...the safe only has a legally-owned Highpoint pistol in it...[to the thieves:] nothing worth losing your life over.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

I know a fair size gun store in Chino, CA that keeps their powder in a safe right by the front door. However, I have more on hand than they do, in quantity and variety.

There is a company on old route 66, not sure of the town, could be Barstow or Helendale, but they are (I think) manufacturers, very remote location. Can't even remember the name right now, might have been Murphy's, something Irish sounding? I went there once and picked up about 8 pounds, different brands at below wholesale prices, for door prizes at a club dinner. This was probably ten years ago? Wish I had kept up relationship, a very good source but I thought the drive was excessive. Not anymore. BB

 

[DanSavage]

The thing is what if you your home is on fire in a area that is near the safe? I wouldn't want to go in the house to try to save anything, and you'd better damn well tell the firefighters. Once you tell the firefighters they may not be interested in saving your home.

 

[thrusty]

The thing is what if you your home is on fire in a area that is near the safe? I wouldn't want to go in the house to try to save anything, and you'd better damn well tell the firefighters. Once you tell the firefighters they may not be interested in saving your home.

I have two 20lb extinguishers nearby... If I can't put it out, so be it. I pay home owners insurance for a reason. If everyone is out, first responders can roast hot dogs and make s'mores for all I care.

 

[milo 2.0]

Flounder,
Were you made aware of the rules after you posted the pic and story of the 9 8lb'ers? I've picked up a lot of powder from a distributor, they wont let you out the door with more than 25lbs, without coming out to check your storage box. Never tried that with a store.

 

[RHunter]

I like how it say "20 lbs or more shall not be stored in original containers in residences"

But I guess you can store unlimited amounts in an old milk jug?

LOL Senseless.

I wonder how much ammo you are allowed to store?

 

[varmint slayer]

Flounder,
Were you made aware of the rules after you posted the pic and story of the 9 8lb'ers? I've picked up a lot of powder from a distributor, they wont let you out the door with more than 25lbs, without coming out to check your storage box. Never tried that with a store.

What distributer was that Milo or was it even local? I've never had any problems around our parts carting more than 25 lbs out the door.

 

[sakobob]

I've picked up a lot of powder from a distributor, they wont let you out the door with more than 25lbs, without coming out to check your storage box.
Never tried that with a store.[/QUOTE]

i wonder why,there not liable once it left the warehouse, are they?

 

[milo 2.0]

VS,
Black Hills Shooter Supply in Rapid, they're a distributor, not retail.
Oh, and you about need a Class 6 ammo mfg license to get any good prices from them, PV doesn't mark shit up that much!

 

[milo 2.0]

I've picked up a lot of powder from a distributor, they wont let you out the door with more than 25lbs, without coming out to check your storage box.
Never tried that with a store.

i wonder why,there not liable once it left the warehouse, are they?[/QUOTE]

No, they can't be liable, but they must comply with the rules, or loose their right to sell.

 

[sakobob]

gotcha,now i understand.

 

[rsplante]

That's a little odd. Off memory, I believe saami recommends powder storage in lightly constructed cabinets with the intent of them not detaining pressure.

That is my understanding too; however, unless you are a cabinet maker, chances are that any box you build will not hold pressure. To be safe though, I built mine where one side pivots on a hinge made with nails to ensure that it does not hold pressure. I made the box out of 2 x 12's and lined it with sheetrock. Sheetrock is used in buildings because it retains some moisture which provides additional fire resistance because the water expands 1600 times when converted to steam. I went overboard and overdesigned it, what can I say, I'm an engineer and I don't want to put my family in any unnecessary danger. I figure that by the time a fire burns through 1.5" of 2x12 AND 5/8" of sheetrock, everyone will be well clear of the house. I'm not counting on the fire dept since I will warn them to stay out, so it will pretty much be surround and drown.

 

[flounderv2]

Flounder,
Were you made aware of the rules after you posted the pic and story of the 9 8lb'ers? I've picked up a lot of powder from a distributor, they wont let you out the door with more than 25lbs, without coming out to check your storage box. Never tried that with a store.

Ive been aware of the rules since I got into reloading. It was one of the first things I looked into. A SH member did PM me and say something which is why I thought it may be a good idea to post the regs for those that may not realize there are restrictions in place. My powder has always been stored in a wooden cabinet per the regulations and I take careful notice of how much powder I have on hand. I recently purchased a few jugs of H4350 which is how this came to light. No Im not hoarding, I found a a place with the powder and grabbed a couple for myself and a few for friends (other SH members who shoot matches) that were also looking but have been unlucky in finding any. Its one of those things that unfortunately everyone takes for granted until something happens such as getting pulled over. Its better to post this information for those that may not be aware to try and help prevent any undue issues ahead of time.

 

[milo 2.0]

Ive been aware of the rules since I got into reloading. It was one of the first things I looked into. A SH member did PM me and say something which is why I thought it may be a good idea to post the regs for those that may not realize there are restrictions in place. My powder has always been stored in a wooden cabinet per the regulations and I take careful notice of how much powder I have on hand. I recently purchased a few jugs of H4350 which is how this came to light. No Im not hoarding, I found a a place with the powder and grabbed a couple for myself and a few for friends (other SH members who shoot matches) that were also looking but have been unlucky in finding any. Its one of those things that unfortunately everyone takes for granted until something happens such as getting pulled over. Its better to post this information for those that may not be aware to try and help prevent any undue issues ahead of time.

Cool, I have no problem with anything. I just laughed when you posted the pic, thought you might not be aware. I recently had a friend who pulled his boat to SD for a fishing trip, he returned home without a single fillet, but did manage bring home 110 lbs of powder!!
I imagine his wife had a blast stopping at every gun-sporting goods store in South Dakota on the way.

 

[flounderv2]

Yeah, thats quite a bit and Im not sure I would want that much powder in my home. Ive heard that the smokeless powder and the jugs its in will actually just burn and melt by design but I dont plan on trying it anytime soon.

 

[varmint slayer]

VS,
Black Hills Shooter Supply in Rapid, they're a distributor, not retail.
Oh, and you about need a Class 6 ammo mfg license to get any good prices from them, PV doesn't mark shit up that much!

Gotcha. I don't have any type of FFL so no sweet prices for me but Glenrock Components prices are good enough for me. $160 for an 8lb is pretty damn good for our current environment.

 

[milo 2.0]

Yeah, thats quite a bit and Im not sure I would want that much powder in my home. Ive heard that the smokeless powder and the jugs its in will actually just burn and melt by design but I dont plan on trying it anytime soon.

I'd imagine there's different standards all over the country, out here people stock up! I have a friend, supposedly he's listed with the local FD as, Do Not Attempt to Save, apparently that means just spray the neighbors houses just in case, stand back and watch.

 

[MtnCreek]

Anybody here shoot black powder? I keep a couple #'s, but that's about all I'll have at one time. I would not want to drive down the road with a large quantity of black powder, for various reasons.