Is my powder bad??

Status
Not open for further replies.

TxWolf

Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2020
Messages
157
Have a can of old IMR4198 I bought years ago. I was going to let a guy try it for a rifle of his and if he likes it the LGS has some 8lb jugs of it he may want. I opened it and there is a brown dust on it. I poured some out and you can see the dust it left in the plastic container. Doesn’t smell bad. In fact it doesn’t have much of a smell at all. I am assuming it’s deteriorated. Man I didn’t realize I still had some old DuPont powder left I hadn’t used. It’s close to a full pound too. :( 68E3D5A2-0812-4C97-936F-8CCF6AEE1915.jpeg E639352C-1F26-4301-B957-4BD1640BBA16.jpeg
 
I wouldn't think the dust would impair the burn, but might effect the grain weight. Could be totally wrong though. I'm curious as well what others have to say.
 
Does the inside of the can appear to have a little surface rust? I've seen that on some older stuff. The powder was fine for the moderate target loads I was making.
 
There does seem to be some rust in the inside of the can. The powder still smells ok tho. Seems to be some of the brown dust on the inside of the can also.
 
It will work ok, but slowly loses power, from what I’ve read. I just spilled mine out and got rid of it. You DON’T want it sitting around and self combusting.
 
The guy I work with is wanting to try it in his 45-70. May let him see if he likes it then use it for fertilizer.
 
You can work up a load with it, and it won’t be very far off of its original potency.

the danger is in if you loaded them, then forgot about them. I’d hate to see what that powder looks like after another decade
 
The powder has started breaking down. It's in the early stages. The potency may not be the same as new. I would use it up pronto. Do load and store for it will eat on the brass too. I've had several of that era go bad over the last 5 yrs that I disposed of. Makes a good fire started.
 
I wouldn't use it, personal preference .
- safe? I don't know, either does anyone without a laboratory.
-Will it work? I'm sure.

I don't take chances with things I can avoid easily, knowing if your friend who could use the powder fully understands the possibilities is another thing. I'm not an overly cautious guy but some things are just bad juju to me.
 
L
Have a can of old IMR4198 I bought years ago. I was going to let a guy try it for a rifle of his and if he likes it the LGS has some 8lb jugs of it he may want. I opened it and there is a brown dust on it. I poured some out and you can see the dust it left in the plastic container. Doesn’t smell bad. In fact it doesn’t have much of a smell at all. I am assuming it’s deteriorated. Man I didn’t realize I still had some old DuPont powder left I hadn’t used. It’s close to a full pound too. :(View attachment 971453View attachment 971452

Let's see - $12.99 vs nearly $30 today. Hmmm, must be 15 - 20 years old? Look at the inside of the can. If the can has started to oxidize enough to start flaking what looks like rust, then maybe not use. If it's minor, I'd use.
 
Have it my buddy to try in his 45-70. Have him the warnings. I think he want the old can as much as the powder. :)
 
Have it my buddy to try in his 45-70. Have him the warnings. I think he want the old can as much as the powder. :)
I know this just a touch off topic. But if the store has jugs of 4198 at a good price, I’d buy it. I don’t use IMR-4198. But I exclusively use H-4198 in my 45-70 and 444 (micro groove). And they are VERY close to the same. My 45-70 is the 350gr Hornady RN and the 444 is 300gr Sierra FP. They are both sub-MOA leverguns with those combos. I tried several powders before I found 4198.
 
How long does powder last?
I don't know. If I haven't shot it in 10 years, why do I still have it?
Either I bought too much, don't use it anymore or not shootin' enough!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top