Don't know if this is the right place for this but, what is the ideal humidity range for a gunsafe? I see some lamenting the "too dry" dehumidified gunsafes, seems they crack stocks, but I don't know what the acceptable range is. Is 70% too high?

70% is on the high side. I've been keeping the humidity level in my safe below 50% for years with no problems to the wood on my guns. I would make sure to keep your guns really well oiled in a safe with 70%. I'd take a look at some dessicant and/or a heating rod. Here's a link from a dessicant manufacturer showing their opinion on humidity levels and rust:

http://unieke.com/Unieke%20Nov%201/rh%20graphs.htm

I do not know what "the" ideal temp/humidity are. I keep mine in a vault which is controlled at a constant 50% humidity and 69-71 degrees Fahrenheit temp. Have had no rust or stock cracking problems in the 25 years I've used that set-up.

There is a US government standard for humidity control in precision measurement and metrology labs. This standard discusses the aspects of humidity control.

1. Prevention of rust on steel tooling
2. Prevention of a molecular layer of water vapor on the surface of measuring equipment that can affect the accuracy of the measurements.

The recommended maximum level of relative humidity is 40% for rust prevention.
This is a problem area for manufacturing companies in the so called low cost regions because they are so cheap they want to turn off the AC when the ambient temp is near the standard. However humidity control is also important. The standard advises even lower humidity for precision measurement. I am not so sure it would be good for a wood stock but the US desert Southwest is probably much drier than 40% most of the time.

If anyone is interested in the full text of the document the PDF is available on line for down load but I do not remember the standard number. PM me and I can look up the standard on my computer at work.

EDG

The NRA museum suggests 50 degrees and 50% humidity. My walk-in vault room has been kept at 55 degrees and 35-40% humidity with no problems concerning moisture or stock movement. ~Arctic~

Arctic,
That is way too cold and wet....