Powder questions...

[ballman6711]

Curious how often everyone opens and checks their powder to make sure it's still good. Or if you even do.

The reason I'm asking is I have a few pounds of unopened powder from about two years ago, and I'm wondering if I should open and check them or leave them closed and sealed. The powders are stored in a dry basement, temperature rarely hits 70F and is usually lower.

What does every one do? If you check it, how often?

Thanks,

chris

 

[Charlie98]

2 years isn't that old, I wouldn't get too excited until it hits maybe 10 years old... although if it's been stored in sketchy conditions all bets are off.

Here's the thing... once powder starts to show signs of deterioration, it's over, there is nothing you can do about it except feed it to the garden. I give my powders the sniff test when I open them to use them, but other than that I don't regularly check my powder inventory.

 

[AJC1]

Keep them sealed as much as possible and inspect them each time before use. Use old stock first and rotate the new powder to the back.

 

[Skeptic13]

Leave it sealed. Two years is not old for powder.

 

[edwardware]

. . . from about two years ago. . .

Hey, I thought you said it was old.

40-50 years is old. Less than 10 years is new.

 

[markr6754]

Well, considering that I just picked up 3 bricks of TulAmmo spp with a lot date of 1995, I'd say that your 2 y/o powder is good.

 

[Cannibul]

Don't open powder till you're ready to use it.

Before the crunch there was a LOT of powder on dealer shelves that was over two years old.

 

[rfwobbly]

What does every one do?

Exactly what you're doing. Keep it in a dry, cool basement... for at least 2 to 10 years.

 

[George P]

When those powders get to be 50 years old, give them a check