Shelf Life of Powder
What is the approximate shelf life of smokeless powders?
Friend brought me over some different containers, 3130,4198,unique,296,630, etc that he says are between 4-15 yrs.
I reloaded one shell last night after he left and popped it off and all went well (moderate chg). Do you think they'd be safe to use or dispose of them all.
IF dispose, what's the best way...call the FD?
ThanX
Friend brought me over some different containers, 3130,4198,unique,296,630, etc that he says are between 4-15 yrs.
I reloaded one shell last night after he left and popped it off and all went well (moderate chg). Do you think they'd be safe to use or dispose of them all.
IF dispose, what's the best way...call the FD?
ThanX
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Don't dump it yet. Read the attached link on old powder before you dispose of it and see if it meets the guidelines of being good.
If you do decide to dump it. No need call the FD just sprinkle it on the flower beds, makes good fertlizer.
As the others have said I have some bulleye over 40 years old and still shooting it. Using up a couple of pounds of it a 3 to 3.8 grains at time don't make much of dent in a 1 lb can.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/safety/storage.php#Anchor-How-47857
SOLD MY COW SO I DON'T NEED YOUR BULL [;)]0 -
I have been shooting ammo over 50 years old and loading with some powder that is 30 years old, with no ill effects. Watch for an irritating acidic odor in the powder, not to be confused with solvents.
rich
Why does everyone feel the need to burn that much powder?0 -
If your friend has stored it properly, it will work just fine. I have used powder far older than 15 years many, many times. If it stinks (use the link 22WRF provided), use it for fertilizer - with the nitrogen content, this stuff is great. I have a patch of lawn where I spread all the junk powder; looks like a putting green . . . well, when it's mowed . . . . [:D][:D] 0 -
If it was stored properly it should be alright. I am still used some H4831 that I purchased back in the late 1960's or early 1970's. I purchased a lot of it back then for about $2.95 per pound. 0 -
I still have some powder left in the very first can of powder I ever bought some 23 years ago, Bullseye. Its still viable .John
I might not always tell you the truth, but I will never lie to you!0 -
Thank You all Very Much.
Has no odor that I can detect. I know his home and the basement area he uses is damn near ID to mine (storage wise), so I guess I'm the proud owner of 23 lbs of powder. I really like that 630 ball.
Thank for the help.
Greeker0 -
There's truth in the old saying, "Keep your powder dry". If properly stored will last for years, another benefit of living in Arizona. Personally don't do a whole lot of reloading so powder lasts me along time, still using some thats at least ten years old.
B - BreatheR - RelaxA - AimS - SightS - Squeeze0 -
Also note that powder slowly lets off ether gas. If you open a sealed can of older ammo you will smell it. If the container is airtight, let the initial smell clear before checking for the acrid smell which should be persistent. Also, discoloration from normal, esp. a yellow/green/brown hue is a sign of degredation.
I have pulled bullets on 100 year old plus ammo which looked ratty outside, but inside all was well. I fired it with no trouble but a few split case necks.
I suspect you will be fine. Also note that degraded powder WILL work- I suspect a lot of people shoot surplus with degraded powder and never even know it- but pressure curves, max pressure, burn rate, etc. is thrown out the window. Depending on degredation it MIGHT be perfectly safe for a particular application-- or it might be very dangerous which is why you shouldn't play with it.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
Accurate Rifle Mag. Did an artical on this with 30 Year old powder.
don't Remember the exact one. It was an IMR powder, used for 30-06
The old ver new was less than 2% devation in vel.!
Just store it well!
NRA Life Endowment Member0 -
I have asked that question of the powder manufacturers reps at the NRA convention & they all answer with the smell test. 0
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