I've only been reloading a few short years and didn't get into it before the great powder shortage that I keep hearing about. When I started, I only reloaded .45-70 for BPCR competition. Finding black powder was and is a challenge. I haven't loaded a round for probably five years and still have around ten pounds of it. I understand it keeps for years with no ill effects.
But as for smokeless, I keep seeing comments in threads on the internet from around 2009 to 2012 in which people say they are using whatever powder they can find.
Every powder I've wanted to try, I've been able to find. Some powder is harder than others since the only two places that sell it within 45 miles are Wal-Mart and a sporting goods store that has been focusing more on $200 cast iron skillets than firearms.
I was there yesterday and noticed they didn't have any WSF or Ramshot Silhouette. But I can drive 50 miles and Sportsman's Warehouse will have just about anything.
Other powders I've been using have been Unique, 231, Lil' Gun, and Trail Boss. I've used TiteGroup a bunch and get mixed results. I can find it at Wal-Mart.
I load for only 9mm, 40 S&W, 10mm, .45 Colt, .450 Bushmaster, and the aforementioned .45-70 govt.
Just wondering for those that lived through the last drought, what powders became the most sought after?
Also, I don't do a lot of loading and in the last four years of loading, I have not gone through a single can of powder. Some are lighter than others, but I haven't ran dry on anything. How long should I expect powder to stay good? How about primers?