Using Powder that is probably 40+ years old

[wannabefree]

I have a can of Dupont/IMR4054 that I purchased around 1980 that is still 90% full. I used it for my 30.06 when I first got into reloading on an RCBs Rock Chucker single stage press which I still have.
I have not reloaded much rifle loads accept for 30/30 Winchester for my Winchester 94 that I purchased about the same time frame. I have been using H4895 for that mostly with reduced loads of Mouse Farts.
I have decided to get out my old Remington 700 30.06 and shoot it for fun again but only have a few rounds loaded from way back then. I have a box of 150 grain sierra bullets and about 50 empty shell cases and CCi Primers. So I am thinking of loading up some practice rounds with the IMR 4064 but have no idea of how good it would still be or if it is safe to use being so old. I know there are a lot of different opinions on old powder but My thinking is why waist it if it still goes bang. I am not planning on using it for hunting just practicing on paper for fun.
Any suggestions or comments on my options. I noticed that I have some old loads that were labeled as being loaded @ 52 grains of IMR4064 as being a good load and it seems to jive with more recent data I have looked up so I thought I would start there.
I am posting a couple of pictures of what I have.
Dave

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd load it up and shoot it.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Chute it

 

[TEXASJD]

Powder looks ok as long as it does not smell are have red dust load it. You might be on the hot side but burn rates do change some over time, better to start low and work up

 

[Soonerpesek]

I have a can of Dupont/IMR4054

I'd load it up and shoot it.

Yes...................and then let me purchase the empty can from you.............that's kinda cool..........

 

[.45Coltguy]

It "looks" good in the picture. You could take a small amount outside, in a line or small pile and light it. If it burns smoothly and uniformly, good to go. If it sputters and doesn't burn cleanly, not good.How does it smell?

 

[deadeye dick]

I would say start at min. and work up slow. as 45Coltguy says burn some. If you start low you can't get hurt. Also find someone you don't particularly like and let him take trhe first shot. (smily face) I have some 12 Ga. paper shells i loaded 55 years ago with red dot.

 

[AJC1]

The official answer is to inspect powder in accordance with the direction of a manufacturer. Seeing that you have it on white paper I'm guessing you checked it and it's OK.
Powder doesn't get more powerful it can become unstable. I would be inclined to load it according to your notes and expect a slight reduction in fps unless the ambient temperature is much higher.

 

[Blue68f100]

Check for rust inside the can. When you poured it out I'm assuming you did not see any dust/cloud from it. Check for clumps too. It's a early indication that its starting to break down. I've used powders older than that with good results. Actually my ES & SD were better with the old vs new. Like 0-1, which is very had to get that on 10 shot string.

If good my recommendation is use it up. 4064 is good for the 270 too. It want last for ever, at least now you know it's good.

 

[DukeConnor]

IDK. I wouldn't risk it for 50 bucks worth op powder.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Okay, I am officially turning on the @Slamfire signal.

 

[BushMaster-15]

See no reason not to use older powder ,provided it's not become acrid smelling or super fine dust exits the can upon opening . Your powder looks just fine to Me .
Just used the last bit of this older IMR 4895 a few weeks back and the IMR 4831 is older still .
Most certainly vintage 1972-75 powder , I can't get a decent photo of the marking pen price of $ 3.25 ,because the top tin surface rusting nearly obscures it . Have to hold the can to the light for reflective detail . Ditto with IMR 4831 which is $2.85 and I purchased those full retail price back then .

 

[wannabefree]

Powder looks ok as long as it does not smell are have red dust load it. You might be on the hot side but burn rates do change some over time, better to start low and work up
View attachment 1126514

I was just looking in an old Lymans Reloading guide that I used back then and it lists there accuracy load as 52.5 gr of IMR4064 my old notes indicate I stopped at 52 Grains and called it good but I also notice later guides list 51 gr as max recommended loads for 150 grain bullets. I think most modern reloading info is a bit more conservative. I will probably start at around 47 or 48 grains and ladder up if I get serious. On the other hand if I were to purchase new powder I would have to start over since modern formulations are not likely exactly the same as they once were.

 

[AJC1]

I was just looking in an old Lymans Reloading guide that I used back then and it lists there accuracy load as 52.5 gr of IMR4064 my old notes indicate I stopped at 52 Grains and called it good but I also notice later guides list 51 gr as max recommended loads for 150 grain bullets. I think most modern reloading info is a bit more conservative. I will probably start at around 47 or 48 grains and ladder up if I get serious. On the other hand if I were to purchase new powder I would have to start over since modern formulations are not likely exactly the same as they once were.

I've not herd of a reformulated 4064 and outside of batch variation the general rule is to keep it within 5% of the original burn rate or call it a new powder.

 

[wannabefree]

Good to Know. I just assumed it had to be a little different.

 

[JDeere]

If it is dry and does not have the acidic smell load it and shoot it. I have several cans like that and even some of the old cardboard canister a friend gave me. All good shoots fantastic....

 

[FLIGHT762]

I'm shooting H-4831 older than your 4064. I had a couple of #'s of the old, canned 4064 like you have. As long as there is no rusty dust coming off of it, shoot it.

My old cans shot great, with very good accuracy. I used it up on some 308 Win. L/R loads. 155 Nosler CC with 45.0 grs. of the old 4064.

Burn it up.

 

[Ranger99]

Like the others have said
If it's not degraded and stinky,
( and it should be obvious)
use it and be happy.

I've used old powder before that
didn't show any degradation, and
it was fine. I still have some unopened
cardboard cans of Hercules that
I'll eventually use if they're ok

 

[Random 8]

It looks fine. If it smells fine, and there is not rust in the can, it PROBABLY is fine, but YOUR call. I'd shoot it. Generally old powders will attack your brass, and get underpowered as they age. They're not dynamite. A good mild load is 47 grains with your 150s. This is my standard Garand Load. It'll basically be a .300 Savage. Don't hold onto those rounds a long time. Shoot it up!

 

[35 Whelen]

Forty years old? I've been using powder made in the '60's. As long as there's no rust in the can, load and shoot.

35W

 

[kalielkslayer]

I have similar IMR cans; 4381 and 4350.

The open ones I keep but don’t ever plan on using.

I always start load development with a new can. That leaves partials.

Once i develop a load, I load with that can, or another new one from the same lot.

But who knows when you can’t get more?

And I have my compost, and alfalfa pellets to fertilize my garden. So why not save it?

 

[Charlie98]

I noticed that I have some old loads that were labeled as being loaded @ 52 grains of IMR4064 as being a good load and it seems to jive with more recent data I have looked up so I thought I would start there.

I would say start at min. and work up slow.

A good mild load is 47 grains with your 150s. This is my standard Garand Load.

I don't think I'd be starting at 52grns, even with a 150grn bullet. I have loaded the 47grn IMR4064 with 150's for my Garand as well and that would be a reasonable place to start, based on the data I have. You mention you are only plinking with it, I don't see any reason to push the data.

 

[BushMaster-15]

I would also like to take this opportunity to illustrate a slight but significant difference in Two supposedly identical powders .
Dupont IMR 4350 and IMR 4350 . Dupont is up to 87 FPS FASTER ,than it's IMR foreign made counter part . As I own two speed measuring devices ,so both can't be wrong . Top line Chrony and Lab Radar . As I've consistently stated there are ALWAYS variables in reloading ,which are Beyond mere mortals ability to control ,even manufactures CAN'T get it 100% ,100% of the time . It's Life and You and I must deal with it .
Note the differences in the cans although slight they're DIFFERENT , even the cans color is slightly off shade

​

 

[Palladan44]

The rotten egg smell of powder going bad is unmistakable, and fairly pungent. And, the chemical degradation will add the reddish discoloration.
No bad smell, no discoloration, no clumping of powder means you're likely safe to use it as directed.

 

[OFFGRID]

i cant speak for powder but i recently shot a box of rounds that were loaded in 87. no problems from any of them. single hole groups.