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Most reloading powders for pistols are fast-burning and double-based for short-barreled guns. Shotgun reloading powder is designed to burn completely under low pressure whereas rifle powders are slow burning and accelerate a rifle bullet down the long barrel with maximum velocity while producing minimum pressures.
Most of the powders are suitable for shotguns and vice versa. But before you buy reloading powder, it is better that you consult reloading guides and check what is offered and which one seems to be the best selection for your gun. Let us see some of the best practices regarding handling and storing reloading powder.
What to Know About Reloading Powders for Proper Handling and Storing?
Most modern reloading powders are completely gelatinized, thus making them less affected by dampness. Most powders have been known to survive underwater tests and therefore perform very well. But most smokeless powders deteriorate and generate small amounts of nitric acid. Hence, stabilizers are added to these powders to absorb the acid byproduct. This adds fifty or more years of life before the stabilizers are used up, and the nitrocellulose start leaching out nitric acid. This leaves plain cellulose and reduces the efficiency of the powder.
The powder can sometimes deteriorate due to the acid residue not being properly washed out during manufacturing. Such powders can give off an unpleasant acidic smell, and brown dust will appear in the powder that will look like rust. Reloading powders in this condition do not perform well, giving poor ignition and low power. Hence, it should be disposed of.
The metal cans containing the powder may also sometimes rust on the inside, producing similar dust but without any odor. This dust does not impact the powder’s efficiency and can be removed by dumping the powder on a flat surface, spreading evenly, and gently blowing off the dust. The powder should be then placed in another container, like an empty plastic powder bottle, as long as it is clearly labeled. It would be best to mark the powder containers with the date of purchase and use the oldest first. Also, check the opened containers at least once a year for any signs of rust or deterioration in case they are left unused.
Leave the sealed containers as they are unless you need them. Sometimes, alcohol and camphor may also be added to stabilize the burning characteristics. Therefore, the reloading powders should be kept tightly closed so that the volatile additives do not evaporate.
Since the smokeless reloading powder is not sensitive to shock, it is quite safe to handle. However, the main caution that should be taken is to keep it away from an open flame or heat, as it can ignite above 400 degrees. You may store the powder on a shelf, preferably on the second floor, as the temperatures are more stable here.
Never store the smokeless reloading powder in heavy closed metal containers since they could act as bombs in case of a fire. Do not have more than one open powder container at a time so that if there is a fire, it can be limited to only one can. Remember that smokeless powder is toxic if ingested as the nitroglycerin component causes heart irregularity and should be kept away from children.
Conclusion
So follow these tips when handling or storing reloading powder to make it last longer and also keep you and your family safe.
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