Old Powder - Use vs Toss

[Oldffemt]

This is from my gramps. He died in 1998. I’ve been loading 243 rounds with it and the last 10 shot group was .88”. ES and SD are pretty acceptable too. Price tag says $6.38! He would have loved fast twist tikkas.

 

[Chris in TN]

I regularly load and shoot pistol and shotgun ammo with an old metal keg of Red Dot that's older than me. The red dots have faded to a pale pinkish brown color.

Would I use older powders like that for rifle ammo to be fired for groups and long range practice? Ehh, ideally, no.

Fine for shorter range pistol and shotgun loads? Yeah, absolutely.

 

[ktm450]

Update:
I have opened two sealed containers of 4064. Both containers have put off a very fine red dust as I poured them into the powder hopper. I opted not to try it and threw both away. I will update the group as I experiment with different powders and containers.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I still shoot some military surplus (pre 1950) 4895 my Dad bought in the early 1950's. It still shoots fine. Humidity & heat are big no no's.
My dad and several of his buddies bought 5 10# containers from the NRA. I started shooting it in about 1957 in my sporterized 03 Springfield and the rifle loved it. I ran out in about 2005 and everything went to pot group wise. My 03 didn't like the newer 4895 and the other powders I tried. I finally "retired" my 03. When my Dad passed away in 2012 I took all his reloading stuff (and guns too) and found some of the old 4895. I duplicated my old load and SUPRISE... my 03 was back to shooting great groups.

 

[EdP]

Even better is if you can also use the loading manuals your grandfather was using from that time - those charges should match up with his specific powders from that same era.

This.