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Thread: WARNING re some old powders!

  1. #1
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    georgerkahn's Avatar
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    WARNING re some old powders!

    I am a subscriber to AmmoGuide, receiving the September newsletter this morning. Mr Haas, publisher. posted quite an article re some Accurate brand powders he has/had... If you have interest -- for safety -- the link to web article is https://ammoguide.com/cgi-bin/news.cgi?em=agnews2109 .

    His article started with, "I kept smelling powder as if a fresh bottle was open somewhere. I had pulled down several left over handloads and had about a half pound of powder sitting on the bench, but holding it close to my nose, I detected very little scent. The smell was so strong it burned my lungs tonight, so I started the arduous task of opening every bottle of powder I had in the cabinet. What I found was a little scary."..........

    I know I will be checking some of my powders! As this is a safety issue for many of us, I reckoned I'd share.

    geo

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
    762sultan's Avatar
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    Thanks for the heads-up as I have about 25 lbs of assorted Accurate powder in the reloading room. I'm on a mission to check it right now. If I find a problem I will report back. I don't want to dump out powder that cost me $20+ dollars a pound but that is a small cost compared to the alternative............. Just came back from checking my stockpile and found nothing to be alarmed about. And I don't have 25 pounds of Accurate powder...I guess the last powder I bought was IMR 4895.
    Last edited by 762sultan; 09-01-2021 at 10:56 AM. Reason: added comments

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master OS OK's Avatar
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    Thanks George....I'll spread the word elsewhere.
    a m e r i c a n p r a v d a

    Be a Patriot . . . expose their lies!

    “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” G. Orwell

  4. #4
    Boolit Master 358429's Avatar
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    I wonder if that is the smell of automatic ignition working its magic. Where is Murphy when you need him?

    Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Boolit Master armoredman's Avatar
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    I love Accurate Arms powder, but I have loaded every scrap I have...so I don't think I have much to worry about. Can't find any more. No handloads of mine have survived 17 years without being shot, so probably OK with the loaded ammo. I do smell the powder bottle every time I open it up to start charging cases, no matter what it is. Everything is good so far, even the old 700X, metal can I have no idea how old it is. Works great in cast 9mm loads...but I cannot STAND trying to meter it.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I have NO use for a powder that has these issues.

    I have 20 year old powder that works and I expect a 50 year shelf life if not more. Think about all the milsurp ammunition that is more than 50 years old and still works.

    I bet there is more to the story...like poor storage conditions...at least I hope so.
    Don Verna


  7. #7
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    Kraschenbirn's Avatar
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    I've got a few pounds of AA #5 over 20 years old that still loads/shoots like it did when I acquired it...no odd smell, no discoloration, no stain inside container or lid but then my stash has been stored inside a closed cabinet in an area with a constant 65-70 degree temp and 60% humidity. Also have some the discontinued AA2015BR, stored in that same cabinet, nearly as old as the #5 with no apparent sign of deterioration.

    Bill
    "I'm not often right but I've never been wrong."

    Jimmy Buffett
    "Scarlet Begonias"

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check