Bad Powder?

[Hotburn76]

I have a new savage 12 in 204 that I am working up a load for. I have been putting some groups under a dime with H-4198. Seen on the net that alot of guys seem to like 4895. I had some that is about three years old. I have been keepingall my reloading stuff in the house. The powder had a yellowish green tint to it, but I cant remember what it originally looked like. The can smelled like a strongnail polish smell. Here is what really stood out at the range. Most of the shots had a long smoke trail that was on the same path as the bullet, sometimes twenty feet past the barrel. It was about the size of your thumb and quickly blew away. So should I assume this is bad powder. I also opened up a fresh case of CCI 450 but do not think this is a ignition problem. Any thoughts from you guys, just wanted info before I toss it.

That is strange. Teh strong smell of nail polish is normal. Rotten eggs is not. Sounds like its at the beginning stage of deteriation.

I have had great luck with 29.5gr of BL-C2 and 32gr noslers. Cookin too.

[thndrchiken]

Sounds like some moisture may have gotten to it.

[skb2706]

For a sealed can of smokeless powder three years is not old at all. I have powders that are much older that are very safe and show no signs of problems. The vapor trail you see may be more of a sign of ambient conditionsand have nothing to do with powder. But for the $20 or so that a pound cost you and if you're worried about it, pitch it. Me, I'd use it. Or buy another pound of the same powder and do a comparative check....any powder that yields "sub dime groups" would be worthwhile to have around anyway.

[handloader1]

Contact Hodgdon they may replace the pound. I once had a erratic pound of Tripple 7 they replaced. I have had Hodgdon powders the same color. I called Hodgdon and they said it was normal, but I don't remember why. Good luck.

[Hotburn76]

Thanks guys. I will most likely just dump it, not worth wasting bullets over and then being in doubt.

[handloader1]

I looked through my powder and a pound of H380 is green. I have a note on the powder container which says the powder is not contaminated due to its green color. It is coated to regulate its burning rate. Good luck.