Question about shelf life of Gun Powder and Primers???

[wscato]

I was wondering what the shelf life of Gun Powder and Primers are??? My neighbor gave me 4 1lb cans of Hercules 2400 and about 8000 small and large Winchester pistol primers. They are probally about 7 - 8 years old and have never been opened and have been stored in a controled enviroment. Would this stuff be ok to use or should I dispose of it?

 

[Sheldon]

It should be fine. The stuff should last a lot longer than that if stored correctly. The word "indefinately" is used a lot in describing how long they last.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Open 1 can of the powder:
See if it smells right.
Look for red dust.
If it smells right, and looks ok, load up a small batch and go test them out.

As for the primers load 10 in empty cases, if they all go bang the rest should be fine.

 

[fecmech]

A year ago I used the last couple thousand primers that were purchased back in the mid 70's when I was shooting PPC ( I got away from pistols for a while) and they all worked fine. Allaiant Powder advertizes that they have some of the original Unique powder stored in distilled water from the last century that stll is very close to spec! Powder and primers stored in cool places last a heck of a long time. Nick

 

[Ala Dan]

Besides the original factory containers, I use a 48 qt.
Rubbermaid ice chest to store powder and primers;
along with die sets. Environment is a 8'x10' free-
standing metal workshop; and I haven't had any
problems so far!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[stans]

Primers are really durable little buggers. They will survive just about anything except oils. Powders are a bit more sensitive. Since these primers and powder are still sealed and were kept in a controlled environment, I would say they will be just fine.

 

[Tommy.Gun]

Ok then, like fine wine, what would be the perfect enviorment to store primers and powder?

 

[fecmech]

Tommy--Same as wine cool , high temp is what deteriorates powders. Home basement is a perfect place. Nick

 

[Kragman71]

WSCATO,
If it was kept under decent conditions,that powder should be fine.I had a can of Hercules Sharpshooter last for 50 years.
I also bought some cartons of primers over 20 years old and they,so far,seem to be working fine.
Frank