IMR 3031 turning brown?

[Prophet]

I have some IMR 3031 that was never opened. When I opened the can ( I say can because it is old supply) the stick powder has a brown dust on it. This is my first experience with the 3031- should I properly dispose of this powder?

[milw50717]

The powder is beginning to deteriorate.

It may still be suitable for plinking rounds, but personally, I would dispose of it.

[FLIGHT762]

Your powder is going bad. If you smell the powder and it has an acidic smell, toss it out. You can sprinkle it in the garden, it makes a good fertilizer.

If it still has a solvent smell, it can still be good. Just recently, I had some old IMR4064 where the inside of the can had rusted slightly . It still smelled good. I dumped the powder out, sifted the rust particles out of it and loaded it up. It shot accurately. It was fine. I believe I got to it before it went bad.

I also had some old MR 4350 that had a lot of rust in it and it definitely smelled acidic. It got tossed out.

If your powder has a lot of rust in it, to be safe, you should toss it out. It sucks, but it's better to be safe.

[JNunez23]

Your powder is going bad. If you smell the powder and it has an acidic smell, toss it out. You can sprinkle it in the garden, it makes a good fertilizer.

If it still has a solvent smell, it can still be good. Just recently, I had some old IMR4064 where the inside of the can had rusted slightly . It still smelled good. I dumped the powder out, sifted the rust particles out of it and loaded it up. It shot accurately. It was fine. I believe I got to it before it went bad.

I also had some old MR 4350 that had a lot of rust in it and it definitely smelled acidic. It got tossed out.

If your powder has a lot of rust in it, to be safe, you should toss it out. It sucks, but it's better to be safe.

That!! ^^^

By the way, how old is the powder?

[GW]

By the way, how old is the powder?

And how was it stored?

[koehn,jim]

Its best to sprinkle it on the plants.

[wild_weasel]

Is it in one of the IMR rectangular cans, that has not been around for a while. But yes it sounds like it is oxidizing the lid must not have been on tight. I have a can of 4227 that I bought when I first started reloading in 1980 that smells (acetone) and looks as good as the day I bought it. I would scatter it in the grass and not use it, 3031 reaches maximum pressure fast and best not to tempt fate.

Cheers,
W-W

[thomashoward]

First sign the powder has deteriorated.makes good fertilizer,pour on lawn
Save the can

[Calif Mini]

Is there a rule of thumb as to when the possibility of going bad is?

Have some pistol powder that has not been touched for three years.

How about the same question on primers.

[FLIGHT762]

It goes bad when the powder starts turning a rusty color and is starts smelling acidy, not solventy. I still use H-4831 from the 1970's, about 3/4# of Alcan 5 pistol powder and primers from the 1950's. The Alcan 5 and the primers are used for plinking rounds, but the H-4831 is used in my 270 Win. and .300 Win. Mag. hunting loads.

It will all depend on how the powder/primers have been stored over all those years.