In regards to the shelf life and storage of powders, if I have a 8 lb jug and several 1 lb containers of the same powder manufactured at about the same time is it better to use the 8lb jug or the 1 lb containers first. Which would store the longest ? Maybe this has been answered before, if so I must have missed it. Thanks.
Powder shelf life ?
- Thread starter wmdron
- Start date
CatShooter
wmdron said:
Either - it makes no difference.
After 10+yrs away from shooting, I'm shooting powder I bought in the '90s. Mine was stored inside in a dark closet and I see no ill effects. I was worried about it when I got restarted, but not anymore....
I am using a tub on N160 from 1998 just now and it's fine. When I replace it, I will re-evaluate the load. Regards JCS
Powder has an extremely long shelf life, so you have nothing to worry about. Since you have the same powder in both 1lb and 8lb containers you might want to use up one of the 1lb containers first. Then open your 8lb and transfer that powder into the 1lb container to make powder handling easier come reloading time.
As long as it is stored in a dry medium temperature and you keep it sealed up tight in the original containers it will last indefinitely. I am using some IMR 4895 that was pulled from military ammo made in the early 1960s that was pulled around 1990 and it is as good and shoots the same as brand new IMR 4895.
What is the shelf life of ammo and storage?
Store reloading components and ammunition in a cool, dry place, protected from direct exposure to sunlight. If stored properly there is a 10-year shelf life on loaded ammunition.
http://www.federalpremium.com/company/faq.aspx Use the 8lb first. If in metal cans, move to HDPE plastic.
Store reloading components and ammunition in a cool, dry place, protected from direct exposure to sunlight. If stored properly there is a 10-year shelf life on loaded ammunition.
http://www.federalpremium.com/company/faq.aspx Use the 8lb first. If in metal cans, move to HDPE plastic.
CatShooter
243winxb said:
All you folks out there that have powder, primers, cases, bullets that are more than 10 years old, or that have seen the light of day...
... SEND THEM TO ME. I have special machines that will safely dispose of them for you.
The 5 lb can of RL 22 that I was loading out of yesterday has a 1991 date on it and I have another from the same lot sitting in the cabinet. I used to shoot it in a .300 Jarrett and apparently bought a lot of it.
The only powder that has ever gone bad on me is IMR 4064. Both open and unopened cans stored with all of my powder in a cool dark place went bad while no other powder suffered the same fate.
The only powder that has ever gone bad on me is IMR 4064. Both open and unopened cans stored with all of my powder in a cool dark place went bad while no other powder suffered the same fate.
My wife, who by the way is an expert on most anything 
recommends that I use the 8 lb. containers up first. Her logic is that if something goes bad you would want it to be a smaller container not a large one. Thanks for the tips and info it's good to know that as long as I keep my powder dry and cool I probably can't go too wrong.
recommends that I use the 8 lb. containers up first. Her logic is that if something goes bad you would want it to be a smaller container not a large one. Thanks for the tips and info it's good to know that as long as I keep my powder dry and cool I probably can't go too wrong.243winxb said:What is the shelf life of ammo and storage?
Store reloading components and ammunition in a cool, dry place, protected from direct exposure to sunlight. If stored properly there is a 10-year shelf life on loaded ammunition.
http://www.federalpremium.com/company/faq.aspx Use the 8lb first. If in metal cans, move to HDPE plastic.
The .50's I shot in the 60's were made in the 40's.
CatShooter
Normally, I recommend that people drop the max by 10% and work up.
But in this case, I would recommend that you drop 15% and work up.
But in this case, I would recommend that you drop 15% and work up.
243winxb said:
Judd
Gold $$ Contributor
I would mix it all together so you have one batch/lot that would shoot the same throughout rather than 2 separate. Then work up a load and happy shooting for a much longer time without having to deal with redoing a load.
I'm going through that right now....pain in the *** to have a load working and shooting well only to have a different lot completely jack that all up.
I'm going through that right now....pain in the *** to have a load working and shooting well only to have a different lot completely jack that all up.
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