powder storage question

[mr_dove]

I reloaded a good supply a while back. After I was done I left the hopper (is that the right term?) about half full of powder. Its been sitting there for at least a few months (maybe up to six).

Its a Dillon SDB and Its had the lid on the hopper but I doubt its as well sealed as the original container.

I'm ready to reload some more now and I was wondering if I ruined that batch of powder by leaving it in the hopper for so long.

Should I throw it out (the hodgens web site says to burn it) or is it cool to go ahead and load with it?

 

[Deavis]

I'd be more worried about it etching my hopper. How does it smell?

 

[scrat]

as long as it does not smell dont worry about it. it is good common practice though to put the powder back in the original container.

 

[Sport45]

I'd say it is safe to use if you are ABSOLUTELY SURE you know which powder you left in the measure and the SDB has been stored indoors. I wouldn't trust powder stored that way in a Houston garage. Maybe in Dallas, but not Houston, it's just too humid here. Do you only load with one powder so that you can positively identify what was left in the measure?

 

[Chief-7700]

I use the blue painter's tape to mark what is in the powder measure

Get a roll of the blue painter's tape and write what powder and grains you are using and tape it to the press.
Chief-7700