Phil, take the primers AND the powder out of the safe. A web search will provide you with the plans to build an acceptable powder/primer storage area. Its the primers that are really explosive, which is why they are packed no more than 100 per package for reloading.

When I was a 14 year old boy, I set off a 2.5" black cat firecracker in my basement. In an effort to dull the sound of it going off, I threw it into a galvanized garbage can and put the lid on it. I learned that evening what happens when we contain an explosive charge. It was 5 times as loud, and my old man kicked my butt all the way up the stairs!!!!!

But to make it even more clear...

Storage cabinets containing only primers are recommended. These cabinets should be ruggedly constructed of lumber at least 1” nominal thickness to delay or minimize the
transmission of heat in the event of fire. SAAMI recommends
against storing primers in sealed or pressurized containers.

For the entire article:
http://www.saami.org/specifications_...01-Primers.pdf

And for an article on powder storage:
http://www.saami.org/specifications_...ess_Powder.pdf

I am taking first thing tommorow

Thanks for the great information, Padre. It's very much appreciated.

Been thinking about this....maybe I am off but could you use an old fridge to store powder? Not plugged in or running obviously but a fridge is pretty well insulated would take some time for fire to get into it and would "open" if gas was built up. Why couln't I use say an old dorm fridge to store my powder? Or am I way off on this?
Primers not sure what to do with them. the problem I have is a little one in the house and keeping his little hands off stuff.
the wooden box deal is a great idea but would need two of them of course and have to lock the thing, that kind of defets the idea of a forgiving box?
Maybe I am just overthinking this?

Phil, IF you felt the need to lock a cabinet built of 1" thick nominal lumber (aka 1x pine from home depot, to make it "forgiving" in the event of a fire, I would use a light finish nail on the non opening sections. This way you can slow the fire and heat transmission, but IF it blew, the explosion would be less than even a refrigerator. Goal is to stay away from any metal container... no?

The refrigerator idea.... with a golden rod heater installed.... is my next "stealth gunsafe." Can't wait for the Mrs. Freezer to fail!!! It's right next to my big safe!

DaFadda

On primer storage, all my primers have been vacuumed packed courtesy of the Mrs. "Food Saver" so that they are water/moisture proof. I only keep on my bench what I'm going to be using over the next few weeks.
DaFadda

Yeah, I need to get this figures out.....I am not a carpenter so I need to buy somthing...

Buy a box :p

Easier said than done, looking....

Why couldn't I just buy a stack on cabinet and drill holes in the thing? Good security, safe, vents.....any thoughts...

Metal makes shrapnel. I'd buy a bid plastic toolbox with a means to use a lock and drill holes in that