Loose powder in sealed container in climate controlled area can last a long time. I've shot pyrodex that was over 10yrs old with no issues or loss of power.

Pellets, well that is different. If they are kept in a sealed container in climate control they will last longer. Just kept in those pyrodex boxes, its a crapshoot how long. I don't think there is a set time, too many variables. Some, like my buddy will claim they never go bad.

He swears that they don't go bad, and is still using pyro pellets that are quite old. No issues for him so far, but from what most folks say and what many report... he'll get bit eventually. I have never used pellets so I can't speak from experience on them.

One common theme I've seen, when someone claims they have lost powder or have some crazy erratic stuff is happening, its almost always with old pellets. When in doubt, get new. Or (much) better yet... get loose powder.

Typical is impossible to say. According to my hunting partner who uses Pyrodex pellets, keep your new pellets double zip-lock-bagged tightly and the humidity level whereabouts surrounding your gun safe, should never go beyond 60. That means a running dehumidifier here in Michigan for 8 months of the year (Mid March - Mid November).

Added insurances are a couple silical-gel cannisters in that 5-10 gun safe and dried out as needed. I do mine (oven at 300 degrees for 90 min) every-other month in the winter and every month in the summer.

Lastly, don't take 100 pellets to the range to shoot 26. Keep them tightly sealed, even during shooting. Don't expose them to the air between shots and don't let temps vary drastically in their presence.

BTW...... I have seen my hunting bud use the same package for 4-5 years. He also uses bore butter and gets away with it and he also brings his loaded Black Diamond XR ML into the cabin every evening for overnight warmth...... and gets away with it.

I swear he's the luckiest hunter on earth.

Dang what a pain in the @$$. I guess whatever it takes tho. I'll be keeping all of this in mind in for the future. I knew powder could not get wet but, I had no idea this stuff was so temperamental. All this advice is awesome!

Lol he is lucky! I never bring mine back in the house until season is over and it's time to clean it up and put it away.

MIHunter94

Goes to show that stainless barrels withstand temp variances better than blued. So does the blanket-power of his $150+ rifle case he brings along. He won't even open the gun case either. He keeps it tightly sealed shut overnight, after a full day in the cold woods..... sometimes damp woods.

His ML instantly fires after 2-3 day hunts, prior to coming back home to Clinton Township Mi, 100% of the time: Unbelievable Luck! Plus, his practices are why his one small box of pellets last so long. He's still using the same 30pk of T/C sabot/bullets from several years ago. poke:

He laughs at me unloading the barrel after every morning hunt and every evening hunt.
I take no chances - plus I love to shoot / then semi-clean smokepoles at camp.

Ron,
This topic brought up a question. I used your QRBP today in my Optima V2 rifle, not a problem what so ever!! I cleaned the rifle this evening an did not remove the vent liner, just cleaned it like the BH plug and reinstalled it back in the rifle. Should I have removed the vent liner to clean or not?

It is up to you. Me i remove the vent liner every time i clean the plug. If you ever wish to replace the vent liner, it may not be very easy to remove, if left in place for awhile.

OK, I soaked it in Hoppes, thought about it an just didn't..will do next time for sure! I forgot how much more cleaning is involved with break actions,even with BH, as compared to T7 in my Whites.

By the way I very much prefer your vent liner plug to the BH 209 plug, much better design IMO!!

Thank you; that is kind of you to write. Seems i kinda agree. However, the factory BH209 plug does work very well, very well indeed.

Yes, i believe that is true also. The OEM plug with a vent liner added with the correct flash channel volume is better than either of the BH209 plugs.

A tungsten carbide bushing would be even better than a vent liner but the cost goes up a great deal. Those bushings are around $30 each but may last 1000 shots or more.