Old/Bad Smokless Powder Problem

[hpearce]

Everyone,

I have some old/older smokless powder on hand and have been thinking about using is since the powder shortage has not let up as many have thought.

The powder is 15 to 20 years old, still in factory containers, some still sealed, some have had partical amounts used, but over half filled.

How do I determine if the powder has expired?
I don't want to waist a lot of time reloading and possibly have trouble by getting a bullets stuck in my barrel due to bad powder due to incomplete ignition. I do not want to dispose of good powder, either.

Most of the power has no or little smell. The grains/flakes/rods all look normal, no rust like apprearence. No acid, or acytone smell or very little.

Please let me know.

Thank you,

Howard

[sargenv]

As has been said multiple times with multiple questions.. modern smokeless powder will likely outlive you in it's usefulness as long as it was stored correctly (cool dry place). I would not worry about using powder umpteen years old if I could detect no appreciable deterioration. I still have some Winchester 500HS and Alcan AL-8 that has not been made/imported since likely the 70's.

[gunboat]

I agree with sargenv -- especially the sealed cans are long lived -- I am still using some 4831 bought in 1960 (25 cents per pound)-- If you get a yellow dust from one, it is suspect. my ha-penny

[anyracoon]

Smell it. If it has an acid smell to it no good, sweet smell good to go.

[hpearce]

Thanks for your opinions and info.

I have a few powders that were origionally shipped in the cardboard cylinders containers, which are not too air tight.
None are acid smelling, alot have lost their "sweet" smell and don't have any smell.

Does anyone have any test, other than loading a round and test firing, to validate the usefullness of a powder?

Thanks

[WileyWilly]

I am still using the remainder of an 8lb cardboard container of Red Dot from the 70's. Put a small amount into an airtight container for a week and smell it then. If there is no odor like ammonia or acid(sharp smell), it's probably good to go. The worst thing that could happen is reduced power, so chronographing the first loads would be a wise idea.
WW

[hpearce]

Thanks for the specifics WileyWilly.

I needed some sort of physical test to do, just to make me feel good.
I have a canister of Red and Blue Dot that were purchased in the early seventies also.
I just don't want a stuck bullet in the barrel.

I was pulling bullets from some military ammo from 1947 and 1949, the powder was still good and smelled great - I just can't identify the brand.
The powder went into the flower bed.

Thanks