old powder

notime · 09-13-2008, 04:00 PM

Had a friend bring over a shotshell reloader that I had loaned him some years back (long time back). In the box is three canisters of powder. Found the sales slip and it is dated 9/16/88, thats how long it's been since reloading, question is should I trust this powder or chunk it and buy new before I start reloading again.About how long does powder last. The canisters are sealed just like new if that makes any differance.

bomar_97 · 09-13-2008, 04:26 PM

I know plenty who use old powder.. and older than what you mentioned..

I'm not sure, but there is something you look for in the powder.. and I believe someone said to look for red in it that could be rust..

We just bought some old powder this past week.. never opened.. can not showing any sign of water damage or rust.. and will use it when our current can is empty.

Blackrock · 09-13-2008, 04:40 PM

I have used way old powder in the past and it may have affected the ballistics in my -06. The powder was some old IMR in the rectangular metal can that a buddy had stored in an outside storage shed. If it has been stored high and dry and cool it should be OK.

Big Dog · 09-13-2008, 04:42 PM

I am still loading .38 Specials with Red Dot powder I bought in 1976 - works fine! Just keep it cool and dry.

A quick inspection would be good. Make sure there are no clumps, and no funky smell.

big boomer · 09-17-2008, 01:31 AM

Use it unless it smells funny, sometimes if it starts to go bad it picks up a bad smell. I have used powders from the 70's with no problem and some I don't even know how old But theres no loading data for them except in very old manuals.

gandog56 · 09-17-2008, 03:06 AM

I just used some 25 year old H414. Worked fine.

Ken in Iowa · 09-20-2008, 08:48 PM

Look for the red dust and clumping- they are signs of deterioration.

The smell is pretty subjective plus extruded and ball powders smell quite differently anyway.

I shoot 1950's ammo and load powder from the 1960's and '70s quite often.

jackar · 09-22-2008, 05:20 PM

About 1986 (?) a pawnbroker friend of mine acquired three or four "kegs" of Unique and was selling it in bulk by the pound. I took him four mayonaise jars, quart size and he filled them up. I don't use much Unique, use Bullseye for the .45 ACP rounds, and still have one jar of Unique left. You still get the "ether" aroma when you take the lid off. I always forget to ask him what the date was on those kegs, but I know they were fairly old then. Like previously posted, if stored properly it's probably still good.

09-13-2008, 04:00 PM	#1
notime Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	old powder Had a friend bring over a shotshell reloader that I had loaned him some years back (long time back). In the box is three canisters of powder. Found the sales slip and it is dated 9/16/88, thats how long it's been since reloading, question is should I trust this powder or chunk it and buy new before I start reloading again.About how long does powder last. The canisters are sealed just like new if that makes any differance.

09-13-2008, 04:40 PM	#3
Blackrock Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE Arizona's Gila Valley Posts: 382	I have used way old powder in the past and it may have affected the ballistics in my -06. The powder was some old IMR in the rectangular metal can that a buddy had stored in an outside storage shed. If it has been stored high and dry and cool it should be OK. __________________ "I only use my gun whenever kindness fails" Forbidden fruits create many jams

09-13-2008, 04:42 PM	#4
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,412	I am still loading .38 Specials with Red Dot powder I bought in 1976 - works fine! Just keep it cool and dry. A quick inspection would be good. Make sure there are no clumps, and no funky smell. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

09-20-2008, 08:48 PM	#7
Ken in Iowa Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 89	Look for the red dust and clumping- they are signs of deterioration. The smell is pretty subjective plus extruded and ball powders smell quite differently anyway. I shoot 1950's ammo and load powder from the 1960's and '70s quite often. __________________ Now officially collecting Mosin M38s!

09-13-2008, 04:26 PM	#2
bomar_97 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 33	I know plenty who use old powder.. and older than what you mentioned.. I'm not sure, but there is something you look for in the powder.. and I believe someone said to look for red in it that could be rust.. We just bought some old powder this past week.. never opened.. can not showing any sign of water damage or rust.. and will use it when our current can is empty.

09-17-2008, 01:31 AM	#5
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 1,238	Use it unless it smells funny, sometimes if it starts to go bad it picks up a bad smell. I have used powders from the 70's with no problem and some I don't even know how old But theres no loading data for them except in very old manuals.

09-17-2008, 03:06 AM	#6
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 5,617	I just used some 25 year old H414. Worked fine.

09-22-2008, 05:20 PM	#8
jackar Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 177	About 1986 (?) a pawnbroker friend of mine acquired three or four "kegs" of Unique and was selling it in bulk by the pound. I took him four mayonaise jars, quart size and he filled them up. I don't use much Unique, use Bullseye for the .45 ACP rounds, and still have one jar of Unique left. You still get the "ether" aroma when you take the lid off. I always forget to ask him what the date was on those kegs, but I know they were fairly old then. Like previously posted, if stored properly it's probably still good.