Old primed brass and powder

[North of 60]

My Dad started reloading in the late 1940's. I remember I helped him (sort of) when I was young. I have a 1903 Springfield that been sporterized. I reload for it and it likes military surplus #4895. Dad and some of his friends that reloaded bought some surplus military 4895 thru the NRA back in the 1950's and I had all I wanted for my 03. I ran out of mine about 10 years ago. When Dad passed and I was cleaning out his reloading room, BINGO ! I found about 5# of it, and it shoots fine and it was made during WWll 80 years ago.
So smokeless powder will last.

That's awesome and i bet your dad would be proud ...and be careful as not all smokeless powder will last a long time, especially in humid environments.

There are some chemistry reasons for why some powders last longer and some don't...and i haven't looked up exactly what the common reasons are for that.

 

[MT762]

Bad powder is really stinky. It's not subtle. Once you've smelled it you won't have doubts. Bullets are fine. Primers...meh prob fine too.

The chance of any can of powder having the same burn rate as a supposedly identical can esp 20 years later...maybe not all that high. So whatever you work up, might have expect to tweak the load when you run out of that can.