Shelf life of powder?

[Gun Geezer]

I have a pound of Red Dot that is about 25 to 30 years old. Never been opened.

Dad and I used to duck hunt some and I kept us loaded up. I guess somewhere along the line that pound got pushed under something. I just found it last month. Tag has it sold at $8.95.

Was thinking of using in 44 mag plinker loads.
I figure it's still good. But thought I'd ask.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

If it was stored properly, it's still good.

 

[Gun Geezer]

Well, can't swear to that!

It's been in a box in the garage for at least 7 years. Range of temp from 40F to 105F. But it was sealed so no moisture concerns.

 

[Grumulkin]

A few months ago I finished up a container (a cardboard one of the Hercules brand) of Blue Dot that was at least 30 years old and had been opened. I had no problems with it. It had always been stored in a cool basement.

 

[Blue68f100]

That's newer than some Herco I have ... $2.32 I found this at my dad's place. I use to use if for shotgun shells. I have not check to see if it's gone bad. It's been in my dad's shop in east Texas for 40 yrs. I purchased it almost 50 yrs ago when I was a teenager.

 

[GBExpat]

I am in the process of finishing up the last can of Herters 102 that my Dad purchased in ~1968.

During the intervening years it has been stored under various temperature conditions ... but it has always been tightly closed.

After it passed the Sniff Test a few months ago, I started loading 2.23/5.56 with it. During a 10rd Chrony run it exhibited an ES: of 43.5.

FWIW ...

 

[Gun Geezer]

And I thought my powder was old.

Heck, mine's just a babe compared that stuff in the can!

 

[catgunguy]

If it smells right, it probably is. I just opened a 4lb. cardboard can of Hercules Red Dot that is from the 60's and is just fine. I am using it in 45 ACP and even the load data is the same as current data, at least in my gun.

 

[skeet028]

Heck I have powder much older than that. Last time I loaded 30-30 I used powder from a Keg marked 1937...Hi Vel #2 and I still have some powder I got from Hodgdons in 1965...WWII surplus 4831..oly 5 lbs from a 100 lb keg left and it still loads the ol 25-06 just fine. About 4 yrs ago I loaded some OLD Dupont Bulk Smokeless in 12 ga shotshells..Federal papers..and they shot just fine. Shot a 25 straight at skeet with them

 

[wally]

Not directly a reloading powder data point, but I'm still shooting up a bunch of 1950's headstamp Polish surplus 7.62x25 and can't remember last time I had a dud or problem round. So I'd say 40-50 years is no big deal unless stored very poorly.

The powder seems in better shape than the brass as most of the case necks have a crack after firing -- but they are recycling fodder any ways, so it doesn't matter.

 

[Louca]

I was out of shooting for several years then got back into it and handloading. I still load some of my rounds with ~30 year-old powder, and they work great. I would say go for it.

Lou

 

[Steve C]

Ammunition loaded 100 years ago will still fire so why shouldn't powder in a canister or other container work for just as long. There may be some degradation over the years so you'd have to use a chrono to see how much. I have bought unopened 40-50 year old powder from an estate sale and have some I'd bought myself new in the 70's and it still works as good as ever.

 

[Slamfire]

Yes gunpowder has a shelf life . The whole issue is complicated because the shelf life is not nice and clear cut like a mechanical clock that positively winds down in eight days.

I have written extensively on this matter, a recent posting here:

Surplus ammo and powder stability?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=768839&highlight=deterioration

Shelf Life of Reloads?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=9568026&postcount=8

 

[MADDOG]

Most powder will out last your shelf. Load it up.

 

[Twiki357]

I was out of reloading for 30+ years and just got back into it about 5 years ago. I just recently used up the Bullseye and Unique (In the same square cans as in post 5) and I’m still working out of 15# kegs of 2400 and 4227. All purchased in the early 1960s.

 

[Average Joe]

Only one way to find out ! Try it and see....

 

[GLOOB]

I have a pound of Red Dot that is about 25 to 30 years old... Tag has it sold at $8.95.

Interesting. I just bought a keg of Promo at $12.88 a lb. I haven't been reloading for 30 years, but this is the cheapest I have ever bought any powder. Considering Promo is supposed to be identical, by weight, as Red Dot, I thought the price comparison was relevant.

I might have never tried it, considering all the loads I have already worked up with other powders. The reloading shortage is forcing me to SAVE money.

 

[Reloadron]

I would just give the powder a sniff test. You can tell if a can of powder is good or bad by giving its contents a sniff test. Give the link a read but the sniff test is likely the most widely used method to determine if a powder is still useable.

Ron

 

[TimSr]

Got me through the great Obama shortage, and i'm still loading from some of these.