Humidity Level in the Reloading Lab

[Liberty's Teeth]

Meke,

With your experience in the lab, what are the safe upper and lower limits of humidity for storage and use of reloading tooling and supplies?

[thughes]

Good question. My gear and supplies live in the basement, I run a de-humidifier and use desiccants......as long as my guns and tools that live down there don't rust is it safe to assume that the powder and primers will be OK too?

[WARFAB]

I suspect having the humidity too low creates issues with excessive static electricity. I'd be curious to hear Meke's expert opinion.

[harleyhutch]

45-55% should be sufficient. I run my dehumidifier at 50% and the humidifier at 50 percent. Haven't had and issues with wood splitting/swelling or anything rusting.

[FinalWinchester]

My cigars are kept at 70% if that helps any... :/

[Meketrefe]

Moisture + steel = mortal enemies.
I dont measue moisture but if I feel it is building up (pretty common in most basements and depending on rain, drainage, etc) then I run a dehumidifier for a few days. I can tell by how quickly it fills the buckets.
I akso have a good drainage system and bad ass sump pump that keeps the water level way down.
I dont have any firearms in rhe basement but the parts I do and reloading equipment is also lubed and or waxed for extra protection.
Long term stuff like brass, bullets, powders is all sotored sealed. I dont keep any ammo downstairs only those water sealed like battle packs.
Makes sense?