Cap Left Off - Still Good?

[CVShooter]

I went into my work room last night and saw that I had left the cap off my jug of H335 over last weekend. There isn't much left in there -- just enough for about 150 more .223s. It's an enclosed space with good insulation but it's still just a small room off the patio. Outside humidity has been high here -- 90%+ for most of the day. Inside humidity? Who knows? The room isn't heated but it hasn't been opened up since the weekend.

While I don't mind a little degradation for plinking loads, I'm curious if this would still be good for hunting loads out to about 250 yards. I had some Barnes on order for 50 of those final powder charges. Is it worth salvaging this powder? Can I do anything, like put some silica gel packets in there & cap it to help it out? Or should I just toss it?

[God Bless America]

Still fine.

Some powder was stored under water, don't worry about the humidity.

[JackEllis]

I doubt they'll blow up if that's your concern. Load a few .223s, shoot 'em and see how it works out.

FWIW I load the powder hopper and then put the cap back on the powder bottle so that in case it somehow gets knocked over I don't have powder everywhere.

[CVShooter]

I doubt they'll blow up if that's your concern. Load a few .223s, shoot 'em and see how it works out.

FWIW I load the powder hopper and then put the cap back on the powder bottle so that in case it somehow gets knocked over I don't have powder everywhere.

Nah, I just didn't want to load up some hunting rounds & have a wounded animal years from now because I messed up the powder. Most of these rounds will probably be shot by my son when he's old enough to get a tag -- just a few more years away now...

I usually do exactly that -- put the cap back on immediately. Don't know why I failed this time other than I only went in just to see how much I had left so I knew how many more bullets to buy. Probably got distracted by family stuff.

Thanks for the input. I'll probably still test them out the next time I'm at the range. But I didn't want to spend $40 for bullets only to have to have to pull them all later.

[trackcage]

Agree that the powder is fine but if you're worried... maybe use a new jug of powder for your hunting loads and relegate the last of this jug to range ammo? But I really wouldn't give it too much more thought.

[JagerDog]

Worst case: it absorbed some humidity and weighs a bit more.

Put it in the dryer (no...don't do that).

[mjmagee67]

You could always send it to me for proper disposal...on second though never mind I have a little under 16 lbs of H335...

But just use it. I've left powder in powder throwers for months and those are NOT sealed up tight.

['ol shooter]

Put a cracker in with it, it will suck up the moisture.
P.S. Don't eat the cracker.

[Abenaki]

Worst case: it absorbed some humidity and weighs a bit more.

Put it in the dryer (no...don't do that).

That right, don't do that! I will get sucked up in the lint trap

Every one knows to use the microwave


Actually....don't do any thing to it. It should be fine.
But my motto is....if in doubt...toss it out!

Take care
Abenaki

[phdo]

[mjmagee67]

I never take mine out.....

[67Cuda]

Worst case: it absorbed some humidity and weighs a bit more.

Absorbed some humidity?

[JagerDog]

Absorbed some humidity?

Moisture (from humidity)? That better? You've been very helpful.

[200Apples]

That better? You've been very helpful.

Hahaha! Too funny.


Seriously, though, thank you to all who have replied in this thread. I have some Unique I did not return to it's original jug. I always clean out the hopper after a load session. I had put this leftover powder in a small jar, tightly sealed and away from light, and next to the og jug. Looks like I have no worries and should go ahead and use it.