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powder shelf life

kumatekumate Member Posts: 2,314 ✭✭✭
edited July 2013 in Ask the Experts
how long will powder last in a dry area once it is opened and then resealed tightly

Comments

  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I used some Unique the other day from the fifties. It was in the cardboard vertical tube and it shot fine.

    I've also got some DuPont IMR powders from the same period in the cardboard boxes and it's still good.
  • OakieOakie Member Posts: 40,510 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
    I used some Unique the other day from the fifties. It was in the cardboard vertical tube and it shot fine.

    I've also got some DuPont IMR powders from the same period in the cardboard boxes and it's still good.


    Was it mine[:D] I have the same stuff. Cardboard tube of unique from the sixties though. It was left over from my dads gun store. Shot just fine. I loaded it my 41 magnum. Best damn powder there is in my humble opinion.
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    kumate,

    There will not be a definitive answer for your question because of the number of variable which can affect the powder.

    Many of us can recount positive experiences with powders which have been stored for decades. But this is not a testament to that concept. Moisture and heat will affect powder adversely. Air will accelerate the deterioration of powder. Depriving the powder of those factors will lead to better preservation.

    Best.
  • richardaricharda Member Posts: 393
    edited November -1
    Some DuPont military rifle powder from WWII era is still good; some is not - and this stuff was made in a tearing hurry with the expectation it would all be used up right away. I have Bullseye pistol powder from the 1950s that is fine.
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Cool and dry is the best. Back in the 60's I shot up a batch of 1918 National Match with a consistent 7 second hang fire, no clue to storage conditions - exterior was clean.

    In the 70's I shot 1000's of rounds that laid on the ground out in the weather for years some looked to lots of years.

    I kept some pulled 5010 powder in glass jar's just to watch. Open hot attic storage didn't take too long to start turning red. Cool and dry with a lid lasted many years. Mind you this was powder loaded in the 40's and laid out in the weather for years.
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've used some powder I got in the late '60,s and it shot very good. It was kept cooland dry.
  • kumatekumate Member Posts: 2,314 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    thanks fellers. got a chance to trade for 2-8lb kegs of 4350 and was just wondering. gottem in the gunsafe with humidity control at 60 and temp at 70. should be good to go for a few years
  • Ray BRay B Member Posts: 11,822
    edited November -1
    Powder shelflife is not a function of time but rather temperature change and humidity. The single base powders like IMR 4350 are more resistant to degradation than the double base powders, but checking the powder is easy. Open the container, if it smells like solvent and it still has its original color and isn't sticking together, it's okay. If it smells "sharp" and particularly if it is changing color to a rust tone then you might want to test a batch of it- small amount, burned in the open, from several yards away. It should burn with a "flare" progressively through the pile and give off very little smoke.
  • Emmett DunhamEmmett Dunham Member Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Powder in a gun safe????
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by kumate
    how long will powder last in a dry area once it is opened and then resealed tightly


    Assuming the powder is kept cool and dry (that's key!), it should last for many decades.

    I think everyone has the experience of shooting really old rounds that worked perfectly fine, including stuff that's 40 years, 50 years, or even older.

    As already mentioned, if the powder looks good, retains its shape and color, and isn't releasing an off smell, its probably fine.

    Note that bad powder probably isn't going to "blow up" a gun, but it can lead to inconsistent velocity (meaning poor accuracy) and reduced power.

    The worst possible problem is inconsistent ignition. "Hang fires" where the primer goes off, but the bullet doesn't launch for several seconds can be really dangerous. If you're not going by the book and counting for several seconds after a dud before you open up the gun, a round could go off with action open or while opening. . .that's bad.

    Worse, a true "squib" load where the bullet leaves the case but doesn't leave the barrel can cause an obstruction, and then the NEXT shot fired into a jammed bullet can be catastrophic, leading to a bulged barrel, a ruptured one, or worse.

    Oh. . .the conventional wisdom is NOT to put powder in the gunsafe, because in the event of a fire, the burning powder can turn your safe into a bomb. If you want to keep the stuff locked up, an ordinary wood, plastic, or thin metal cabinet is a MUCH better idea.
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