Old Powder

DAB · 11-22-2007, 11:57 AM

How old of Powder is the oldest powder that you currently are using to reload with.

I just opened a factory sealed container of Hodgdon H-380 with a Larry's Sport center price tag on it. Price on tag $12.49 sure wish powder was that price now, but all considered reloading still is cheaper than buying most factory ammo.
I have several partial containers of powder that I have had forever that I am going to take out and burn just to get it out of the house since they are not what I am using.
DAB

adobe wall · 11-22-2007, 12:07 PM

no reason to do that.

Gunpowder in a tightly closed container (like a cartridge, or a canister) lasts decades. The stuff isn't prone to attact moisture.

If it's been stored improperly, it'll turn gummy and have a rank odor.

regards, aw

baltz526 · 11-22-2007, 12:24 PM

i have some 30yr old al5 that is still good some hogdon 870 that was i'm sure manufactured in the 40's or 50's military suplus

Don Becker · 11-22-2007, 01:12 PM

If you want to get rid of it and if it has been kept tightly closed/sealed and dry, why not list it. I'm certain there are ifishers here that would be happy to have it - - 'perhaps even buy it off of the classified ad forum. Don

DAB · 11-22-2007, 06:09 PM

Its has all been tightly sealed, Never thought about selling or giving it away , it is just odds and ends that I have no use for , But if someone sees this and wants it they can have it.
DAB

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Becker

If you want to get rid of it and if it has been kept tightly closed/sealed and dry, why not list it. I'm certain there are ifishers here that would be happy to have it - - 'perhaps even buy it off of the classified ad forum. Don

wapiteaser · 11-22-2007, 06:19 PM

Rotating the cans every once in awhile helps keep it fresher. If it starts showing a reddish residue in the can, get rid of it. I had some 4831 that did that and it about blew my head off when I shot it. Someone said it was the nitro separating.

DAB · 11-22-2007, 06:58 PM

Thanks for the info, never seen any powder that looked like that yet, If it doesn't look right I wouldn't use it. Maybe for a fire starter

. Lookout eye brows....

I like my head right where it is so wouldn't take any chances if it didn't look right, nice and black ad sort of shiney , or if it was sort of dusty ( powder detirureating [spullingg] )

. The late Gale Stockton of the old Gresham Gun Works had some examples of blowed up rifles from all sorts of things including bad powder.

DAB

Quote:

Originally Posted by wapiteaser

Rotating the cans every once in awhile helps keep it fresher. If it starts showing a reddish residue in the can, get rid of it. I had some 4831 that did that and it about blew my head off when I shot it. Someone said it was the nitro separating.

Ifishsum · 11-24-2007, 09:58 PM

The one thing to watch is that sometimes the formulations change over the years and using todays data on a powder that was produced some time ago can lead to problems, and vice versa.
If you're gonna get rid of it, don't bother to burn it, sprinkle it around the roses or garden - it's good fertilizer (nitrogen).