Powder Shelf Life?

Telcotech · 04-07-2009, 12:07 PM

Good day.... wanted to ask this ? to experianced reloader's on here. This is a great forum for sure......much to be learned in its content. I have several containers of pistol powder;Bullseye, Unique, WW296, Hodgdon 110, that were piurchased as far back as 1970, been kept in their original containers, and in a cool, dry enviroment. I reloaded 100 rnds of .38 SPL last wkend using new primers, 4.5 grn's of Bullseye, 158 grn. SWC, and they all fired and functioned exc. The Bullseye was purchased in 1977. Does smokeless powder have a really long shelf life if stored properly? Or does it need to be diposed of?
Thanks for all reply's...

army mp · 04-07-2009, 12:55 PM

Smokeless powder will be OK for years, if stored properly. Guys had trouble with the stuff in the old card board containers and damp basements. The newer plastic containers if sealed will last a long time. The best way is open the container and smell the powder, it will have a very strong smell if going bad. But with any old powder only load a few rounds to test.

Telcotech · 04-07-2009, 02:30 PM

OOOPS!!!!! after reading my thread....I double checked what I had wrote down as my load during lunch.....it was 3.8 grn's Bullseye behind a 158 grn SWC not 4.5 grns ...... boy...can't remember squat anymore...
But any way....thanks for the reply!!

JLA · 04-08-2009, 12:21 PM

if stored properly powder and current primers (good chance they may change the formula) will outlive you. happy shooting

04-07-2009, 12:07 PM	#1
Telcotech V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North Central Iowa Posts: 253	Powder Shelf Life? Good day.... wanted to ask this ? to experianced reloader's on here. This is a great forum for sure......much to be learned in its content. I have several containers of pistol powder;Bullseye, Unique, WW296, Hodgdon 110, that were piurchased as far back as 1970, been kept in their original containers, and in a cool, dry enviroment. I reloaded 100 rnds of .38 SPL last wkend using new primers, 4.5 grn's of Bullseye, 158 grn. SWC, and they all fired and functioned exc. The Bullseye was purchased in 1977. Does smokeless powder have a really long shelf life if stored properly? Or does it need to be diposed of? Thanks for all reply's... -->

04-07-2009, 12:55 PM	#2
army mp V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: western Pa, Posts: 479	Re: Powder Shelf Life? Smokeless powder will be OK for years, if stored properly. Guys had trouble with the stuff in the old card board containers and damp basements. The newer plastic containers if sealed will last a long time. The best way is open the container and smell the powder, it will have a very strong smell if going bad. But with any old powder only load a few rounds to test.

04-07-2009, 02:30 PM	#3
Telcotech V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North Central Iowa Posts: 253	Re: Powder Shelf Life? OOOPS!!!!! after reading my thread....I double checked what I had wrote down as my load during lunch.....it was 3.8 grn's Bullseye behind a 158 grn SWC not 4.5 grns ...... boy...can't remember squat anymore... But any way....thanks for the reply!!

04-08-2009, 12:21 PM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,280	Re: Powder Shelf Life? if stored properly powder and current primers (good chance they may change the formula) will outlive you. happy shooting __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!