Containers for storing gunpowder

[BigGrover]

A friend of mine and I are planning on splitting an 8lb container of Unique (haven't been able to find any 1 or 4 lb containers) and since we live 60 miles from one another we need to find some sort of container(s) for dividing the powder into.  Unless someone out there has several empty Unique 1 lb bottles or an empty 4 lb they want to get rid of can anyone offer any suggestions?  I have heard that recycleable bleach bottles are ok but wanted to check around.
 
Thanks

[gary0529]

Screw cap gallon milk container.
Maybe toss in one of those stay dry packs??

Gary

[Flynmoose]

I have used a plastic mayonaise jar with a plastic cap. It is easy to label with a sharpie.
FM

[mechanic]

Even a paint can with a tight sealing lid would work.  Anything that will not readily admit moisture I'm thinking.  I have some of the old waxed paper containers from the 70's that are still ok.
 
Ben

[Lloyd Smale]

brass cases capped with a bullet works pretty well.

[Savage]

brass cases capped with a bullet works pretty well.  Best answer yet!
Savage

[LaOtto222]

A container that does not admit moisture or light works the best. Just make sure it very clean and dry.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[YRUpunting?]

Any food grade container would work.  I would go buy a couple gallon jugs of water, use the water or just pour it out.  Let them dry and label them well (including date).  I'd store them in a box of some kind to block out any light and keep them from getting knocked around.

[tacklebury]

.30 cal ammo can

[dakotashooter2]

.30 cal ammo can

While this sounds good you want a container that will fail it the powder heats up and pressure starts to build. 
Some places have the " fill your own water jugs" those would insure that they are contaminent free.
You can also get food grade pour top jugs of various sizes at the groc or hardware store.

[Oldshooter]

I wonder if a vacum bag like a food saver thing might not work, would need to keep it in a dark place though.

[Ranger99]

i'd be afraid of the sealer unless
maybe the powder was put in a
cloth bag or something first.


a clean oatmeal-type waxed
cardboard container might
be close to the old powder cans

[Oldshooter]

OOPs! forgive an old man, forgot about the heat seal thing!    maybe not such a good idea!

[srussell]

brass cases capped with a bullet works pretty well.

  +1

[buck460XVR]

Do you drink coffee? Those resealable plastic coffee cans would work if nuttin' else. They seal fairly well and do not transmit light. I have a mess of one pound canisters out in the garage, I use em for odds and ends nails/screws etc. Probably even a coupla Unique ones. Probably cost more to ship them than one could buy several of those cheap drink bottles at Wal-Mart...they're like $.79.......

[Iowa Fox]

Buy 2-4 lbers. Unless the price is $15 less than the 2 4s its not worth it if two guys are splitting it. I have used old heavy weight bleach bottles well washed and dried but my days of remarked containers is over.

[theratdog]

old antifreeze bottle washed out good.

[cybin]

If you have any doubts about how tight it seals--put black electrician tape around the cap--that usually insures a air tight seal. If your using a bottle with a screw type cap that is.
 
cybin

[lrrice]

I use mason jars.  I store them in an ammo can to keep light out of them.  Don't leave them out on the shelves.

[tacklebury]

.30 cal ammo can

While this sounds good you want a container that will fail it the powder heats up and pressure starts to build. 
Some places have the " fill your own water jugs" those would insure that they are contaminent free.
You can also get food grade pour top jugs of various sizes at the groc or hardware store.

Milspec ammo cans are designed to hold in pressures and bullets if loads get heated and go off.  Unless they are penetrated, the lid will buckle slightly to vent pressure but will contain the explosion.  I use an ammo can designed to hold 1500 rounds of 7.62x51 for my powder container indoors.    Also seals air tight, so just a silica gel pack will keep it from getting moist. 

[Empty Quiver]

I would put a bounty in the classifieds for a proper container. In the meantime I would get some litre nalgene water bottles. Poorly labeled containers are dangerous.

[RIF]

coffee can.  Have some like that right now.  Use the small ones with a plastic lid, measure an even pound in each and tape the lid on...and LABEL them all on the lid and the can, put the date and the lot number too!!  "Grandpa had these old cans of powder, I think they were H4831...56 grains for the 270 then..."

[Flash]

I believe that powder companies use black plastic to keep light out so obviously light in some form degrades gun powder. I use Bleach bottles since they are strong and light blocking, much more than milk jugs.

[dakotashooter2]

.30 cal ammo can

While this sounds good you want a container that will fail it the powder heats up and pressure starts to build. 
Some places have the " fill your own water jugs" those would insure that they are contaminent free.
You can also get food grade pour top jugs of various sizes at the groc or hardware store.

Milspec ammo cans are designed to hold in pressures and bullets if loads get heated and go off.  Unless they are penetrated, the lid will buckle slightly to vent pressure but will contain the explosion.  I use an ammo can designed to hold 1500 rounds of 7.62x51 for my powder container indoors.    Also seals air tight, so just a silica gel pack will keep it from getting moist. 

I can't argue that....however....Military ammo cans are designed and tested for the detonation of loaded ammo.............The detonation of loaded ammo and bulk powder is going to be quite different. Loaded ammo is unlikely to go off all at once. You likely have multiple detonations in rapid succession.  I don't know exactly how it would react but bulk powder isn't going to do that and  the issue is probably more worrysome if someone does it with black powder. Keep in mind that the volume of powder in loaded rounds is probably only 1/3 of the cans capacity of bulk powder. I do know that it was common advice when I started reloading ,by experienced gun writters , NOT to store powder in ammo cans.
I'm not saying you are wrong...just pointing out the variables...........

[SHOOTALL]

get some qt size US GI military plastic canteens , strong enough , green/black/tan no light transfer and made of a quality plastic that won't get brittle , nothing worst that to grab the container and it crumble . I have seen this with milk and water bottles. Big buckets with pull off tops can create static ele. As can metal paint cans. Around here with no cover and standard top 4-5 bucks each a small investment to have quality powder 10-20 years down the road.

[FPH]

I believe that powder companies use black plastic to keep light out so obviously light in some form degrades gun powder. I use Bleach bottles since they are strong and light blocking, much more than milk jugs.

X2 on the  bleach jugs.

[geezerbiker]

If you're willing to scrounge a bit, old Tupperware canisters can often be found cheap in goodwill stores.   Most of them will be in 1970s colors, bright yellow and orange or avocado green if you can live with that...  These are made from tough plastic and can be run through the dishwasher first...

Tony

[1sourdough]

 I usually keep my older & empty powder bottles.  If you do, take old bottles, remove the original label & re-label the container.

[Lloyd Smale]

I can barely remember back in the days when i thought that a 8lb keg of powder was more then i could use myself. To seriously answer your question, milk jugs would probably be the readily available appropriate jug. I dont like using old powder jugs unless the lables come off and none do anymore. It would be easy if i died for someone to get confused if they tried using it and id hate to have someone join me because of it.

[SHOOTALL]

I have seen the water and milk jugs get brittle too often.