How old is too old for powder?

[rockrat]

LGS got some reloading stuff in and part of it was a half empty container of red dot and almost full keg of 2400. These things are cardboard and the whole top comes off to get at the powder. The RD is a 15 lb container, so maybe 8 lbs left and maybe 7 lbs of 2400. Leery of opened powder , plus I don't know how it was stored. Probably from the 60's

On the plus side, I picked up an old red colored metal keg that was for 5 lbs of 2400 (maybe 1.5lbs in it still) and an unopened square metal can of Bullseye (early 70's). Also got some 45-70 brass and Hornady 300gr bullets and an old RCBS EZ Melt I

[Dieselhorses]

I am using powder (H110) from the mid 90's, of course when I got it unopened. They say if it doesn't have a brown tint to it or smell like "vinegar" it's still usable, otherwise it's fertilizer. I poured a little out on a cinder block and lit mine, it burned so I loaded some bullets and shot fine!

[Snow ninja]

I've had zero problems reloading with powders from the 60's and 70's. Can't tell any differences. Like said above, if it smells weird, it's probably bad.

[ShooterAZ]

I still have most of an 8 lb keg of pull down IMR4895 from WWII, still works just fine. I bought several kegs of it, and I'm down to my last one now. As long as it's been properly stored and isn't turning orange or brown, or smell bad it should still be good. I bought mine from a reputable source, but I'd be a bit leery of opened powder too. Red Dot is easily identifiable, 2400 should be too. Good luck!

[15meter]

I've used powder up to 40 years old with no problems(think Alcan).

Check appearance against a known sample, then load a couple of the lightest listed load you can find and try them.
I bought two steel kegs of Red Dot at a garage sale once, was assured they were both Red Dot, got home and poured some out of one keg--it was clearly a mix of two different powders, that went for fertilizer. The other keg was factory sealed--no problem with that one. Luckily I paid next to nothing for the powder so I didn't get "burnt".

I'm currently working through a keg of Blue Dot that is from the Hercules days, well before Alliant and it is shooting fine.

[Kraschenbirn]

I'm working at finishing off a partial jug of AA#5 from the mid-90s, discovered last winter sitting behind some boxes of shotgun hulls. Smelled and looked okay when (re)opened so I loaded up a few test rounds of .45 ACP and touched 'em off. No problems: they all went BANG and shot to the same POI as ammo loaded from more recent lots. Only thing I did notice was the older powder seemed 'dirtier'...more powder fouling...than more current AA#5.

Bill

[jdfoxinc]

When it smells like acetone. Then fertilize the Roses.

[dh2]

I still have a keg of AA3100 from 1990 and is still my go to powder for 30-06 and 270 Win

[cwlongshot]

If ya find out. LMK!!

Im still using cardboard kegs of Red Green and Blue dot I bought as “OLD” about 1985.... I still have a few tin CUBES of 2400 too.
PROPERLY STORED, should out last us.

Smell it. If nothing out of normal its probably just fine. If arid or “spicy” might be “going” or gone. Its GREAT LAWN fertilizer!

CW

[stubshaft]

Another thing to look for is a very dusty appearance when powder deteriorates.

I just loaded up some Hornet loads last night using PB powder from the 60's.

[MT Gianni]

I still have some Bullseye in a steel 3 lb drum. It works fine. I have some much newer 4198 that doesn't. It all depends on storage. Really though, canister powders are a cheap as they ever have been.

[6bg6ga]

Storage... how warm is too warm?

[richhodg66]

I just loaded and shot some Alcan 7 today, worked fine and had been in a non-climate controlled barn in Texas for quite a while. Stuff still looks good and shot well.

I shot up the last of a can of Alcan 5 a while back and before that, used up a four pound keg of Alcan 120. None of these have been made for more than 40 years.

[15meter]

Remember a Hercules/alliant ad that claimed they had some of the original bullseye (stored under water!!!!)
That they took out, dried out and loaded test loads that worked. 1900 kind of vintage? But I've got geezer memory.

[tazman]

Yesterday, at a family get together, Some family members and I burned through about 300 shotgun shell I had loaded around 1985. No misfires. All performed exactly as they should.
They were stored in military ammo cans this whole time.
The powder used was Red Dot.

[sharps4590]

To me, powder from the mid-90's IS new!!! I still have a few partial cans from the 70's which are still good and when called for I use them. My half keg of IMR-4831 is from the early to mid-80's and I just loaded and fired some 7 X 64 Brenneke's with it....still good and still accurate.

[MT Gianni]

Storage... how warm is too warm?

IMO, prolonged exposure to 80+ temps starts the process. Over that is like a steady climb with temps and time of exposure.

[Tom W.]

I still have about a half pound of BE that I got in the late 80's. I don't know how old it is, but it belonged to a friend's grandfather who passed away in the late 70's. It was in a big yellow can lot #463. I still use it for my 9mm.....

[Dutchman]

[Outpost75]

When it smells like acetone. Then fertilize the Roses.

Acetone odor is OK.

VINEGAR odor is when the powder is BAD!