Old Gun Powder

[HammeringHank100]

Hey Guys, I have some old gun powder from the 1970's. In loading .45 auto with this powder I'm getting a lot of leading in the barrel. Does gun powder get weaker over time. Thanks.

[waksupi]

It's not the powder, your boolits are the wrong size or alloy.

[HammeringHank100]

Thanks for the reply. The bullets are also from the 70's. I don't remember leading at the time

[runfiverun]

this is the same gun then?

[GaryN]

I agree. I have powder from the 70's and it works fine. What ruins it is the way it is stored. Heat and moisture are not good for it.

[texassako]

Thanks for the reply. The bullets are also from the 70's. I don't remember leading at the time

Is the lube as old?

[jonp]

unless the powder has an off smell to it or appears bad I don't think that is the problem. I'm doing a sorta experiment right now with some H110 in a plastic bottle. I've had it about 15 years. It's about 1/2 gone and in the original sealed plastic container. It is in my hunting camp and the temperature ranges from -40 to 85/90. Every summer when I get home I check it and load a few rounds and it's still just fine.

[Cherokee]

I doubt its a powder problem, got to be bullet size, lube or alloy

[303Guy]

got to be bullet size, lube or alloy Can't be the alloy since it worked fine 45 years ago - couldn't have aged much in that time! Lube could have dried out or something. Has the gun changed? If its the same gun, is it in the same condition? Stored bores are worse than stored powder - I know, I have a collection of old guns.