How old, is TOO old?

[The War Wagon]

In organizing my stash of late, given all the spare time , I came across a COUPLE of golden OLDIES - from my Y2K loading days!!!


SPANKIN' new - ALWAYS stored in a cool, dry, place, and the seal is UNbroken!!!





HERE'S the kicker - good ol' 20th century powder!





Yes, the date is July 16, 1999.


What sayeth the brain trust on this? Keep, or pitch (and how DOES one dispose of a pound of gunpowder, anyways?)?

[BajaJames83]

I have a few metal cans in the garage with powder still in them and it's still good stuff

[Divernhunter]

That powder is young---not old. Load it and shoot it

[17+1]

I’ve shot a ton of ammo from the 50’s-70’s and never had a problem.

Like you mention it’s all about how it’s stored.

[ar15barrels]

I have lots of powder from the 60's that is still fine.
Storage conditions are key.

[The War Wagon]

I reckon that makes sense. I've shot ammo from the '50's myself, but I guess I was thinking, that once it was SEALED inside cartridge, it was like bottled whiskey. I figured in a can, it could go "stale."



I've never let it sit around THIS long - this is good to know!

[Cypriss32]

[five.five-six]

I've been told if you open it and it smells like vinegar it's fertilizer now. otherwise, load shoot repeat.

[five.five-six]

Bad news, that stuff is toast and dangerous as well.

PM me your address and being that I am trained and authorized, I'll come over and make sure that it's disposed of properly for you.

In organizing my stash of late, given all the spare time , I came across a COUPLE of golden OLDIES - from my Y2K loading days!!!


SPANKIN' new - ALWAYS stored in a cool, dry, place, and the seal is UNbroken!!!





HERE'S the kicker - good ol' 20th century powder!





Yes, the date is July 16, 1999.


What sayeth the brain trust on this? Keep, or pitch (and how DOES one dispose of a pound of gunpowder, anyways?)?

[ar15barrels]

I've been told if you open it and it smells like vinegar it's fertilizer now. otherwise, load shoot repeat.

Rotten egg small = bad.
Red/rusty color to the powder = bad.
Rust on the inside of the container = bad.

[anyracoon]

Just finished off a 15# cardboard keg of Unique labeled Hercules.

[Swagman00]

You need to see the tins of Alcan AL-5 and 7 I have kicking around. I'd use it if I could find enough load data for the stuff.

[The War Wagon]

Bad news, that stuff is toast and dangerous as well.

PM me your address and being that I am trained and authorized, I'll come over and make sure that it's disposed of properly for you.

Start driving NOW. I'll see you late Tuesday.

[Fjold]

I just finished up a 3 Lb steel container of Bullseye that I bought back in the mid 80's

[five.five-six]

I just finished up a 3 Lb steel container of Bullseye that I bought back in the mid 80's

There was a time when I would go through 8# a year with that stuff.