old powder question

[Epoxyoyo]

I was recently given some re-loading equipment by a friend of the family. It was given to him and he had no interest in reloading. It consisted of a Rock Chucker press (old stlye with bike handle grip) and RCBS Dies in 300 Weatherby and 243 and Pacific Dies in 30-06 and 7mm Magnum. I also found a box of H870 Powder with a date on the box dating back to 1979. Also a bunch of CCI primers in the old white boxes where the primers were in slots on their sides. Nothing looks wrong with the primers and I haven't opened the powder. Actually the powder doesn't have a screw cap it is a snap in cap kind of like Hersheys Cocoa. There was also a can of IMR 4831 and IMR 4350 that were in rectangular cans with screw on lids. Also 2 boxes of Speer Hot Cor 180 grain .308 bullets and a box of Speer Hot Cor 150 grain .308 bullets and 1 box of Sierra .284 160 grain bullets. The Speer bullets were in yellow plastic boxes. Do you think these things are good. he had them stored in his storage shed where it was dry. What do you think?

 

[Hondo 60]

Some here claim to have powder & primers from the 1950s.

Primers are almost assuredly OK.

If the powder has red dust it's not good.
But as long as the can isn't all rusted, I'd bet it's good too.

Be careful with reloading it though.
The current iterations may be formulated differently.
Try to find 1979 data for those powders.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said, if the powder doesn't look rusty and smells good it's probably just fine.

That's a good press you have, It will do a good job of reloading...