Hello I am new to the forum and have a question regarding gunpowder for reloading. I recently got some reloading supplies that were my Grandfathers and there is some gunpowder with it. There are some containers that he obviously mixed or used that are not “ factory fresh” but there is also a fair amount that is still sealed. This is powder from the mid 60’s my best guess.
I had hoped to maybe start reloading at some time but I find I just don’t have the time to do it. My wife is nervous about having the powder around and wants me to get rid of it. There is a local shooting range that can dispose of it.
So my question is this for the powder that is still sealed is it still useable, would anyone want it? I am guessing that there have been advances in powder since the 60’s which would make this stuff less potent, but I do not know for sure. If it is still useable what would be the best way to find a new home for it? If needed I can provide details from the labels as far as what kind it is. Thanks Jay

Welcome to the board Jay.
I use my old gun powder it to fertilize the lawn. Old gun powder will make your lawn green & lush. Just spread it on & wet it down. The gun powder will disolve with a few minutes of watering. This is a good safe way to make use of your old gun powder.
The factory sealed cans of gun powder are old. I would have to see & smell the powder before I recommended useing it?

I started reloading in the 60's, and i've yet to this day, thrown out any gun powder "because it's old!!" If it looks the normal color, and smells like any other gun powder you have, it's still good!!!

I hope you wife doesn't get to thinking about the gas in the lawn mower that's around, or the 20 plus gallons of gas in you car!!! I assure you "that gas" in your car is a thousand times MORE dangerous than any smokeless gun powder you have around!!! Don't believe me???????? Spill a cup of gun powder in your grass and light it!!! Unless it's in a pile, you can't light it!! In a pile, YES it will make some smoke, and sit there and burn. Then do the same with a cup of gas!!!!!! The gas will light "spread out or puddled up"!! It will also explode if conditions are right!

Gun Powder containers are designed to let go if in a fire, so as it burns the gas can't build up pressure and explode. A Gas tank is SEALED these days, read BOMB!!!

Drilling Man

Thank you both for the replies, so it would be ok to sell it or use it. Thanks Jay

If the powder in the containers still has a bit of a solvent odor, there should be no problem using it. Most smokeless powders made in the last 60 years are very stable compounds, and unless they are stored improperly (high heat, corrosive atmosphere, etc) they will tend to stay stable and usable for many, many years.
Asa for your wife's worries about all that "dangerous gunpowder", no worries. Smokeless powder is a flammable solid, not an explosive. When burned, smokelss powder generates a large amount of gas. As long as the containers have a weak point (which ALL factory containers do), the gas will disapate. On the other hand, IF the powder has been transfered to other containers, such a glass jar, it could generate enough gas pressure to cause the jar to explode. I have seen idiots use glass jars for powder storage, very, very, bad practice! As long as the powders in question are in original containers, you have nothig to worry about.
As DM pointed out, gasoline (particularly gasoline vapor, a real explosive!) is far more dangerous to store than smokless gunpowder.

Do any of you use Hercules ( now Alliant) 2400? If so how strong is the oder? I just reloaded some pistol ammo (been awhile since I need to reload for my pistol) . The powder looked ok ... but I didn't detect any oder. Now you have me thinking I might want to pull the bullets and get a fresh can. Thanks

If the powder is in labeled containers, it should be ok, just start at minimum loads and work up, sometimes manufacturers will make a powder of the same name and will change its characteristics slightly over time.

If the powder looks like it has been mixed, get rid of it- as someone else mentioned, dump it on your lawn.

I'll check mine when I get home in the morning.