The Gun Counter

We sold off our old tent-camping equipment recently and I have a nice sized wooden box with hinged lid and handles that used to hold the dishes, utensils, pots, pans, hiking stove, etc. It was made by my wife's father and is definitely well built of 1/2" plywood, reinforced joints, all corners have metal corner guards, lockable, etc. I'm thinking of taking some extra 1/2" drywall I have and lining the interior of the box and lid with one layer of it, and using it for storage of reloading powder (no black, all smokeless). Then paint the drywall with a tough paint and caulk any gaps with fireproof low expanding foam or other appropriate material.

I'll replace (or modify) the locking hasp to allow the lid to 'pop' open an inch or so as a vent.

Should this combination and thickness of material be adequate for smokeless powder storage?

Any issues using drywall inside a container (worried it may absorb water and cause the metal cans and cardboard/metal containers to rust even if they are raised above the drywall on a little rack). I don't expect this box to be airtight so i don't think a dessicant will be doable. I could also paint the drywall pieces on all sides/edges before installing them to prevent water absorption.

Thanks!

Why use the drywall?

Bullspit wrote:Why use the drywall?

Fire retardant. Drywall usually doesn't burn very well.

And so I don't need to find/build a box with inch-thick wood walls, which I've read is suitable for powder storage.

Rich Jordan wrote:We sold off our old tent-camping equipment recently and I have a nice sized wooden box with hinged lid and handles that used to hold the dishes, utensils, pots, pans, hiking stove, etc. It was made by my wife's father and is definitely well built of 1/2" plywood, reinforced joints, all corners have metal corner guards, lockable, etc. I'm thinking of taking some extra 1/2" drywall I have and lining the interior of the box and lid with one layer of it, and using it for storage of reloading powder (no black, all smokeless). Then paint the drywall with a tough paint and caulk any gaps with fireproof low expanding foam or other appropriate material.

I'll replace (or modify) the locking hasp to allow the lid to 'pop' open an inch or so as a vent.

Should this combination and thickness of material be adequate for smokeless powder storage?

Any issues using drywall inside a container (worried it may absorb water and cause the metal cans and cardboard/metal containers to rust even if they are raised above the drywall on a little rack). I don't expect this box to be airtight so i don't think a dessicant will be doable. I could also paint the drywall pieces on all sides/edges before installing them to prevent water absorption.

Thanks!

Any photos of the box? I'd be interested to see it. It sounds like some of the boxes I've seen the Scouts use on some of their outings.

We called them patrol boxes in the scouts and used them for car camping. A great idea, until you realise that your depending on teenagers to do their own dishes.

I dunno, that sounds like it has the making of a magic crate. Did you ever find it brim full of .22 rifles?

Where is Candyman, anyway? Long time no post...

Denis wrote:I dunno, that sounds like it has the making of a magic crate. Did you ever find it brim full of .22 rifles?

Nope but I did find the Griswold 8" cast iron skillet in one of them, and a Winchester single burner foldaway propane stove. Who knows what wonders might appear if I close them up and tuck them under the garage workbench for another few years...

Kommander wrote:We called them patrol boxes in the scouts and used them for car camping. A great idea, until you realise that your depending on teenagers to do their own dishes.

That's what it sounds like. Get a photo yet?

And you've explained why our Assistant Scoutmaster was always deeply involved in our patrol's cooking and cleanup!

Drywall will be very susceptible to water damage. Use this instead: http://www.usg.com/durock-cement-board.html It's a bit more costly than sheetrock, but it's non combustible and moisture resistant.