Old Powder

[K0na_stinky]

Hey I was looking at a bottle Reloader 19 and noticed that it was made in 2006. The Bottle of Reloader 19 I just finished was made in 2009. Is there any difference between powder that is 3 years older? Will it burn the same and get the same results?

Thanks

 

[jonbearman]

It will be only slightly different.If you are benchrest shooting it could be a problem as far as accuracy.If you are hunting you wont notice any difference if any.I would just back off a little in charge weight and work up to where you find pressure signs.

 

[bozo699]

+ 1 on what jon said. I have powder thats over 50 years old still shoots fine. As long as its not pasty or rust colored or as long as it looks like normal usable powder I would think you would be fine.
Wayne.

 

[K0na_stinky]

+ 1 on what jon said. I have powder thats over 50 years old still shoots fine. As long as its not pasty or rust colored or as long as it looks like normal usable powder I would think you would be fine.
Wayne.

Thanks guys. I was just worried that there might have been a big performace change and I would have to make a whole new load for it. Its cold outside and good shooting time is coming around less often.

 

[jonbearman]

Wayne look at the new thread about herters powder.

 

[bozo699]

Wayne look at the new thread about herters powder.

Thanks jon, I would agree when dealing with a known old powder one should use caution, but if all the signs are good I don't see anything wrong with using it. I wonder how many of those guy's against it has shot wwII surplus ammo? just how old do they think that powder is? I shoot Korean war surplus 50 bmg ammo quite a bit in a AR-50 as I know many other people do, early 1950s ammo, still shoots great!
You know jon I think it is how you store and take care of it, leave it in the trunk of your car year around and you might have a problem, in your basement where the temp is constant probably last for decades
Wayne.

 

[tenring]

The key to powder storage is - keep it cool and dry.

 

[4xforfun]

The key to powder storage is - keep it cool and dry.

I thought I read some where a couple of years ago that Hogdon was testing storing powder in WATER for long periods, drying it out and testing. From what I remember they saw no differance than powder stored normaly.

How they dried it out is another story??!!??

 

[bozo699]

You know 4xforfun, I read that somewhere also ???forgot all about it.
Wayne.