Forums46
Topics537,006
Posts9,719,376
Members86,987
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Does powder expire
#7505221
05/06/19 01:48 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 634
floresrsr
OP
Tracker
|
OP
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 634 |
Folks, How long can i expect powder to be safely stored?
TIA
Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war. Ernest Hemingway
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7505287
05/06/19 03:16 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 315
bigbill
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 315 |
I bought a 20# keg of 4831 from W W 2. Paid $12 for it. I just loaded 200 rds of 6mm .was the best powder I ever used. Just wish I had some more of it
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7505385
05/06/19 12:19 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306
DLALLDER
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306 |
I read an article a few years back that showed a powder company testing powder that was over 100 years old. It had been kept in controlled environment but was still good with something like a 1 % difference from the original test.
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7505410
05/06/19 01:05 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
redchevy
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481 |
Ive got a few cans working on 20 years old. Im gonna use them still some day.
It's hell eatin em live
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7505425
05/06/19 01:26 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,083
J.G.
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,083 |
As long as it is kept dry, I would believe it is nearly non-perishable.
And, if it got exposed to humidity, I would think it could be dried back out, sitting in the Texas sun, in July. Just my speculation.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7505475
05/06/19 02:23 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,576 |
It’ll most likely be good, still.
Something to keep in mind, though, is that it can dry out. It’s made with a specific amount of moisture content. Drying out doesn’t make it bad, but it can make it less dense. If you find out that it takes a lighter charge to reach similar velocities, that’s why. So, keep that in mind when working up loads to avoid a load that’s too hot. If it’s been stored properly, it shouldn’t be an issue.
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7505485
05/06/19 02:36 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,442
kmon11
junior
|
junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,442 |
I have seen some powder that has gone bad and it will change color (brown) and have an acidic smell. I got that powder in a trade with someone that got it from an estate sale along with reloading tools that dated back to the 40s. or earlier in a few of them. That powder was less than a half pound in the original container and who knows how it was stored.
Stored in a controlled enviroment I have used powder well over 40 years old that worked fine
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7505882
05/06/19 09:50 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 634
floresrsr
OP
Tracker
|
OP
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 634 |
Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war. Ernest Hemingway
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7527529
06/05/19 12:39 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 233
Maddog
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 233 |
The shelf life on properly stored powder is that it will last longer than the shelf.
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7548154
07/04/19 12:22 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 323
Glenn voth
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 323 |
I had almost a two pound can of vihtavuori 140 that was open go bad it started to slap through the bottom of the can I threw it on the lawn makes good fertilizer
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7548498
07/04/19 02:11 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 257
JABHunting
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 257 |
If the powder is dry and has been temperature controlled its whole life it lasts nearly indefinitely. There is no specific chemical compounds that "break down" due to the passage of time. Moist air and huge temperature swings are probably have the most detrimental effect. However if the can is sealed properly this should not be an issue. I have powder that is from 1984 that still produces the same FPS with the same load over my chronograph. (BTW- it is IMR-4350). Most smokeless powder has a coating that helps prevent moisture absorbsion. Black powder and black powder substitutes are hygroscopic and will deteriorate over time just from opening and closing the container. Still, I have some Goex FFFg that is from 1990 and it works fine but I do get somewhere around 70 FPS less with the same load as I did when the can was new. This may be from the powder or it could be from the rifle being shot several thousand rounds. Pick up a military surplus round or any commercially produced round that is ...say...50-years old. I'll bet it shoots in your firearm. Why? The powder is sealed in the cartridge. Same concept applies to the actual can of powder.
|
|
|
Re: Does powder expire
[Re: floresrsr]
#7553422
07/10/19 10:34 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 240
WendlingKnives
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 240 |
I have powder I still use that is easily 25yrs old. Just store it proper and no issues
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|