Powder shelf life

[Criss Stewart]

I like to carry enough powder to carry me for years to come. I have heard others talk about fuming on powder. What concerns should a guy have if you keep it stored properly.

 

[Roksliding]

Depends on what type of powder..... some of it may be already expired, I will dispose of it for you..... PM me the types of powder and I will give you my address, and I won’t even charge you....


This is obviously a joke, it’ll last decades, if it’s stored properly. I have heard that powder will give off a different aroma when it has gone bad, I’ve never witnessed this tho, and I’ve shot imr4350 that was over 20 years old no issues.

 

[Criss Stewart]

Thanks a friend gave me two kegs of accurate mr 3100 and I would guess it to be from the 1980's. It is in the unopened original milk jug and cardboard shipping box. I doesnt give off any odor.

 

[11boo]

Thanks a friend gave me two kegs of accurate mr 3100 and I would guess it to be from the 1980's. It is in the unopened original milk jug and cardboard shipping box. I doesnt give off any odor.

That is fine of course. I’m using some 231 I got dirt cheap 15 years ago.

 

[MThuntr]

Powder if stored correctly will last a very long time (temperature/moisture controlled area). There are guys burning surplus powder in excess of 40 years old with little effect. As mentioned powder that has gone bad has a funky smell.

That is why all of my reloading equipment is in the house and on the main level where temps are never below 55 or above 80

 

[gbflyer]

I have some of the old pull down 4831 powder from Hodgdon I suspect is at least 50 or more years old. Still smells like the new stuff. I had some Accurate 2520 get away from me. Dumped it.

 

[5MilesBack]

I doesnt give off any odor.

How do you know, if you haven't opened it?

 

[Criss Stewart]

I opened it, the box was sealed, the container was sealed much like a milk jug at the supermarket with the breakaway seal.

 

[5MilesBack]

So you did open them.

 

[OXN939]

temps are never below 55 or above 80

Probably worth a note on temperatures in this discussion. Powder getting hot accelerates the process of chemical degradation faster than powder getting cool. Of course, you want to avoid temperature extremes either way as much as possible when storing, but leaving powder in the back of a hot car is way worse for it than leaving it in a garage that gets chilly in winter.

 

[Criss Stewart]

Probably worth a note on temperatures in this discussion. Powder getting hot accelerates the process of chemical degradation faster than powder getting cool. Of course, you want to avoid temperature extremes either way as much as possible when storing, but leaving powder in the back of a hot car is way worse for it than leaving it in a garage that gets chilly in winter.

Thankyou that us very helpful, really appreciate everyone's help. Always something to learn

 

[rayporter]

some benchresters still shoot pull down powder from the vietnam war. and consider it the best you can get.
back in '01 when you could still buy 44 lb kegs i bought one and shot it for years. when i ran out i found a guy that had an unopened keg and shot it till a couple years ago.

a couple years ago i opened a can of 4198 from the 80's and it was brown and smelled awful, like acetone.

 

[JFK]

What do you guys consider too warm to store powder? Not talking about storing it for decades but maybe a few years. Is there a point at which things go down hill quickly.

 

[Dioni A]

some benchresters still shoot pull down powder from the vietnam war. and consider it the best you can get.
back in '01 when you could still buy 44 lb kegs i bought one and shot it for years. when i ran out i found a guy that had an unopened keg and shot it till a couple years ago.

a couple years ago i opened a can of 4198 from the 80's and it was brown and smelled awful, like acetone.

I Have a great respect for a man who's burned multiple 44 lb kegs of powder! That's impressive!!

 

[rayporter]

ha! i am a nobody. it is said that Rex Reneau went through 10,000 rounds [ which is one keg] the year he made the hall of fame.

 

[dmossu]

How do you guys usually store powder? I am just getting into all this and am thinking about in a gun safe with a dehumidifier?

 

[Phil j]

How do you guys usually store powder? I am just getting into all this and am thinking about in a gun safe with a dehumidifier?

All I can say is bomb never put powder in a safe

 

[rayporter]

i know a couple guys that put it in an old refrigerator in the garage or shop and one guy that has 3 kegs under his workbench.

 

[snuzzo29]

I store my powder on a shelf next to my bench.

 

[EastHumboldt]

I store mine right next to my grinder and under my acetylene torch.. Kidding of course. It’s in a closed cabinet in my garage which stays between 50 and 80 year round.