Is this powder to old ??

[357shooter]

Say I came across this powder cleaning out a repo condo it has not been opened
the seal is still there. I did open the 4895 and it looks good no real smell to it.
think it's good to use or dump it.

[IMG][/IMG]

[highpower790]

Open the containers and look at the powder.You will be looking for a rusted appearance if the powder is bad.IF its clean and smells good shoot it!

[357shooter]

Open the containers and look at the powder.You will be looking for a rusted appearance if the powder is bad.IF its clean and smells good shoot it!

OK thanks.

[varanidguy]

Send it to me for disposal, I won't charge you anything.

Seriously, it should be good. Like highpower said, check it for discoloration, acidic smell, etc. If it looks and smells good, it's good to go! Powder can last for decades if it is stored properly.

[bender152]

I'm still using Bullseye powder from a jug similar to the one on the right in the pic below. No idea how old it is, but it still works fine.

[JTROKS]

I have some IMR-4350 with lot date of '91 that has slight red dust when poured through funnel. Other than the rusty color dust, it smelled OK and no discoloration with the powder. Can it came in has rust spots inside. Most everyone said throw it away, but I shot it anyway for experimentation. Got some real nice groups from 300WSM and 55 grain 22-250 loads. 270 Winnie shot a .4 with the light barrel it has. Didn't have time or sun to set up chrono, but with the accuracy it produced it's very consistent. I did put it in a glass jar to prevent reaction with the rusting can. Soooo... I'm gonna shoot it some more and keep a lb for a much later time to see how it turns out. I'll check it more often. If it starts discoloring I'll put a torch to a small pile and see how it burns. Then maybe test it out. If we still have guns and components I'll test it in a decade or so. I've had it since the early 90s sooooo... What's another decade or two.

[stilly]

I'm still using Bullseye powder from a jug similar to the one on the right in the pic below. No idea how old it is, but it still works fine.

Hey I just emptied one of those!

I have another that is full I think along with a Blue Dot. My 5lb bottle of 700X has a similar pull up plastic top too...

To empty those bottles completely I think you gotta cut off the lids.

[mikeyr]

The powder is still good to shoot if it does not smell bad and its the right color.

BUT I would not use it except as fertilizer because you said you found it as part of a condo repo, so it was not in your possession since day 1, who knows what the previous owner of those cans did with it, he may have poured some excess OTHER powder into those cans and you don't really know what is in that can. Some powders are identifiable from their shape and size but may look alike, I would not risk that.

[Citadelgrad87]

The powder is still good to shoot if it does not smell bad and its the right color.

BUT I would not use it except as fertilizer because you said you found it as part of a condo repo, so it was not in your possession since day 1, who knows what the previous owner of those cans did with it, he may have poured some excess OTHER powder into those cans and you don't really know what is in that can. Some powders are identifiable from their shape and size but may look alike, I would not risk that.

Good advice, but per op, he broke the seal.

[BigBronco]

OP did say it was sealed. Good to go in my book.

[samcam13]

I compared some opened red dot that was properly sealed dated 1980 to some brand new stock. 9mm loads showed an average of around 20fps faster than the new stuff. Well within the range of lot to lot variation.
I can tell you just by looking at the can of 4895 it looks bad. I can dispose of it for you 43 grains at a time

[mikeyr]

Good advice, but per op, he broke the seal.

Ok, I missed that...use the powder !