Powder Containers

blackthorn

Active Member
A few years ago I acquired about 15+ pounds of Herco shotgun powder. It was in the original cardboard cylindrical tub. The tub however was in really poor shape so I transferred the powder into dark brown plastic keg shaped containers that originally Olives came in and these hold about a half gallon (+/-). Currently I need to split this powder up between my two sons and I and I would like to use some white plastic containers that originally held Metamucil. I know that commercial powder containers are black so I wondered if there is any downside to using white containers?
 

waco

Springfield, Oregon
UV light or sunlight could pose a problem over time. You could maybe just spray paint them with black primer?....
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I would match the plastic by looking at the recycle symbol on the bottom of a powder bottle and your potential replacements. Different plastics might not do as well.
 

waco

Springfield, Oregon
Looks like you want #2
 

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smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
Many, many substances are photo-reactive. An example is milk. You'll notice that the shelf life on the half gallon paperboard containers is typically far longer than that of the transparent plastic containers.

Brad can tell you that with the exception of only a few meds (chewable antacids comes to mind), very few meds are dispensed in clear containers.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Keeping the container in a cabinet would help. Out of sunlight at a minimum.
Mine are ina room that only has the lights on when I am loading, sizing, etc so even a white container would work. I know many of the surplus powders came in white jugs. Thick white plastic so while light does get thru it is minimal.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
I believe in '94, I needed to break down a cardboard, eight-pounder of Unique, and several gallon jugs of surplus powder I'd shared an order on with my best friend. I ordered brand new, clean bottles from US Plastics (very nice people too), which were cheap and don't waste space like round bottles. A quart bottle holds something like 2# of Unique. The white ones let you write the name, date, lot number etc. on them. I still have some of those powders and it's all just like new. They had the same recycling number as a bottle of W23 I had on hand as well. I keep it in a decommissioned upright freezer, out of the light and so that temp swings are milder inside.

 

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358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
HDPE 2. Plenty of choices on the internet. I'd follow the powder manufacturers and go with dark brown or black.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
back in the old days many powders come in white containers [and paper sacks for that matter]
i still have a couple of Data powders from accurate that come in white jugs with metal caps.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
back in the old days many powders come in white containers [and paper sacks for that matter]
i still have a couple of Data powders from accurate that come in white jugs with metal caps.
A friend of mine was moaning over a shortage of AA #9 about a year ago for his .327, so I broke down and gave him my last two pounds of surplus WC820 to tide him over. It was really nostalgic to see it there in its bleach jug. He's good for it, he helps me a lot.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
These look an awful lot like the rectangular cans IMR powders used to come in that made so much more efficient use of shelf space than the round bottles now. Been meaning to order some.
One Pint Screw Top cans
I was looking at those the other day for Ed's Red containers. They seemed to cost as much as I've seen them being sold full of product. Maybe mot powder, but they're $5.10 each. I think everything's gone through the roof, not just guns.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
A friend of mine was moaning over a shortage of AA #9 about a year ago for his .327, so I broke down and gave him my last two pounds of surplus WC820 to tide him over. It was really nostalgic to see it there in its bleach jug. He's good for it, he helps me a lot.
I'm feeling VERY nostalgic for the $54.00 each of those gallon jugs went for too! That's what I remember last paying for 8# of WC820, and the surplus version of H335 Jeff Bartlett was selling. Still have a little of each, and they've been stored in white HDPE (#2) quart bottles since and have fared very well.

I'd prefer the steel cans that @richhodg66 references, though I am not sure why other than nostalgia. I saw the round "cone-top" cans for sale too, like Winchester powders cam in. They were also more costly than I'd have dreamed.

If you guys would just bear with me - I'm sure it's apparent that I'm not just a tightwad, but a tightwad out of touch with today's prices.

Thinking about it though, if they'd knock $5 off the price of a pound of powder by putting it in paper sacks again, I think I could go along with that.
 

Foo

Active Member
A few years ago I acquired about 15+ pounds of Herco shotgun powder. It was in the original cardboard cylindrical tub. The tub however was in really poor shape so I transferred the powder into dark brown plastic keg shaped containers that originally Olives came in and these hold about a half gallon (+/-). Currently I need to split this powder up between my two sons and I and I would like to use some white plastic containers that originally held Metamucil. I know that commercial powder containers are black so I wondered if there is any downside to using white containers?
I have an eight lb. jug of MR3100 that I bought 30 yrs ago for $48 that came in a jug just like milk. Almost clear. Still use it. It is stored in a dark, cool locker.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
I'm feeling VERY nostalgic for the $54.00 each of those gallon jugs went for too! That's what I remember last paying for 8# of WC820, and the surplus version of H335 Jeff Bartlett was selling. Still have a little of each, and they've been stored in white HDPE (#2) quart bottles since and have fared very well.

I'd prefer the steel cans that @richhodg66 references, though I am not sure why other than nostalgia. I saw the round "cone-top" cans for sale too, like Winchester powders cam in. They were also more costly than I'd have dreamed.

If you guys would just bear with me - I'm sure it's apparent that I'm not just a tightwad, but a tightwad out of touch with today's prices.

Thinking about it though, if they'd knock $5 off the price of a pound of powder by putting it in paper sacks again, I think I could go along with that.
Along these lines, you may be able to find some empty Winchester cans suitable for relabeling?
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
Along these lines, you may be able to find some empty Winchester cans suitable for relabeling?

I have a hodgepodge collection of round, square, plastic, steel,... Cant bring myself to throw them away.

I thought about buying a label-maker back before Christmas too, but got distracted.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
Brother P-Touch label maker. Mine was inexpensive, and has been very durable for the last 20? years.
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
I have a number of used Dupont metal 1 pound cans repurposed. I spray paint them with gray primer and use a black Sharpie to mark them.
 

blackthorn

Active Member
Guys--thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I would have responded sooner but I got a gastro-intestinal inflammation last Wednesday and today is the first time I felt like doing anything but sleep. Getting better every day now though, so here I am.