Storing cartridges

[RobertBeard]

This was touched on in another thread recently which I can't now find.

In what conditions should we be storing our cartridges?

Mine are in the garage which is attached to the house, which is dry, but unheated.

I probably only have a maximum of 2,000 at any one time but I've got nowhere in the house to put them.

 

[Will Hewland]

I was told to avoid extremes. Store by a radiator and they become a bit odd. Freeze them and they dont work so well either.

Is it Eley that have storage temperature comment on the 250 boxes?

 

[altnipper]

I agree extremes of temp also humidity affect them. Maybe you could insulate them in a garage? I keep them in then house just to make sure.

 

[Will Hewland]

I think temp does not damage long term, so I would just bring inside the ones for the next day.

 

[Les53]

Keep them dry and cool, they can get punchy if they get too hot. Never had too much of a problem with cold shells though. :wink:

 

[Hamster]

This time of the year garages will be too cold in my view, always store them at a temperature I myself can tolerate long term. This was brought home a couple of weeks ago when shooting with a large group of people one or two were complaining of their cartridges less than clean burn and it turned out they stored them outdoors. 

GD said much the same on one of his videos; whether it makes for a ballistically deficient shell I don't know but at the same time I'm not one for putting them on a radiator the night before either.

 

[ips]

Mine dont last long enough to be an issue

 

[RobertBeard]

Hmmmm looks like I need to find somewhere indoors

 

[Will Hewland]

Hmmmm looks like I need to find somewhere indoors

See post 4..

 

[ips]

On a serious note I do not beleive that anything under "room" temp wil do. I remember in the 80's when shooting the major trap comps folk had cartridges lined up on hotel room radiators and in airing cupboards in an attempt to eek a bit more out of em. I wonder aht happened to that practice as it daoesnt seem to be done anymore.

 

[Guerini Guy]

I wouldn't think this is much of a problem, well at least for me as I have at least a one hour drive to get to shoot anywhere.

If the shells are in the car with me, at a temperature that is good for me, then they will be ok too by the time I get to shoot them.

(in my opinion)   :mail:   

 

[ips]

That might be a fair point ....... depends on your car temp I spose.

 

[Will Hewland]

I wouldn't think this is much of a problem, well at least for me as I have at least a one hour drive to get to shoot anywhere.

If the shells are in the car with me, at a temperature that is good for me, then they will be ok too by the time I get to shoot them.

(in my opinion)   :mail:   

Before I had a 4x4, I used to put my stuff in the back, rather than in the boot on a cold day. Putting freezing wellies on was enough to convert me from using the boot.

 

[RobertBeard]

Before I had a 4x4, I used to put my stuff in the back, rather than in the boot on a cold day. Putting freezing wellies on was enough to convert me from using the boot.

Yes having an estate solves all that :nyam:

 

[Guerini Guy]

That might be a fair point ....... depends on your car temp I spose.

Not if you're married to The Ice Queen  :blackeye:

 

[EdSolomons]

I fill my boot up with 2-3 cases at a time and leave them there until they run out, every 6-8 weeks at the moment. They do get a bit cold at the moment but doent seem to do any harm as far as I can see.

 

[ips]

Not if you're married to The Ice Queen :blackeye:

you have had the pleasure of meeting the 1st Mrs ips then

 

[Salopian]

Yes, times have moved on since I started, better cartridges, better powders etc.,

But it is really common sense to maintain your cartridges at a stable temperature.

Daft as it may seem cartridges made by Sellior & Belliot perform better than Italian cartridges in Winter because of the powders selection.

Many of my serious trap shooting friends used to use cigar lighter powered egg incubators to 'warm' cartridges on the way to shoots. Footwell on passenger side, blower onto floor 25 degrees suits my cartridges.

 

[RobertBeard]

That's what I like to see - almost a tale of folklore - great stuff!