old powder?
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Wide open Nevada
Posts: 515
RE: old powder?
I have a can of Unique and Red Dot that were bought in the 70's .As long as the cans are sealed and in 50-80 degree storage a very long time . The corp I work for does that sort of storage I see TONS of both black and smokless new and recoveredthats over 30 years old every day . In fact I saw some 16" howidzerpowder charges just a year or so ago that were loaded in 1946 .
#4
RE: old powder?
I'll go one better. I have loaded and shot the rusty looking powder. But the "rust" really gooked up my powder measure. I finally dumped it. For the layman, I think the rule of thumb is, "If it looks like gunpowder and if it SMELLS like gunpowder, shoot it." Just be aware some powders naturally smell differently. A lot of the Hercules powders smell sort of like "black pepper" to me.
#5
RE: old powder?
It is not the LENGTH of time you stored it that determines IF you need to throw powder out, it is CONDITION! IF the powder was made correctly (all solvents removed in processing), and you stored the containers tightly shut in a cool, dry pplace, the powder SHOULD still be good.
Examine it visually and with the "sniff test". If the powder flows freely, does not clump up, has NO reddish dust or red flecks in it, and it smells like ether, it is OK.(As Pavo said, some Alliant-Herc. powders have a non-ether smell, but the smell is NOT that of an acid)If it has a powdery red dust or red flakes in it, and also if it has formed clumps, plus ithas an acrid or acidy smell, it is decomposing. Dump it out on the lawn as fertilizer!! Usually, when a smokeless powder deteriorates in storage, it is because all the solvents weren't properly removed in the manufacturing process. Most well-made powders will virtually last forever, if stored right.
Examine it visually and with the "sniff test". If the powder flows freely, does not clump up, has NO reddish dust or red flecks in it, and it smells like ether, it is OK.(As Pavo said, some Alliant-Herc. powders have a non-ether smell, but the smell is NOT that of an acid)If it has a powdery red dust or red flakes in it, and also if it has formed clumps, plus ithas an acrid or acidy smell, it is decomposing. Dump it out on the lawn as fertilizer!! Usually, when a smokeless powder deteriorates in storage, it is because all the solvents weren't properly removed in the manufacturing process. Most well-made powders will virtually last forever, if stored right.
#6
Typical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Wide open Nevada
Posts: 515
RE: old powder?
I believe the smell was best described as chicken manure to me . I haven't run across any to say for sure . As for the primers shoot them up unless they're mixed in a can box and are unidentifiable . Then unofficially I would hose them down in WD in a zip lock and if possible hand carry to a land fill or animal pit or in a post hole they may dry out and become viable but if buried time and moisture will break them down to inert .
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Grouse45
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03-22-2009 02:39 PM