Powder shelf life

[nilebartram]

How long will powder keep? I found some Data powder (2200) From the 90's all sealed. Open one and it smelled fresh and sweet like my recent purchase of LT 32. nilebartram

 

[chkunz]

Indefinitely with proper storage.

 

[edwardware]

Not indefinitely, since it starts slowly oxidizing the moment it's dry. In the poorest conditions (hot car) I've heard of degradation in 5 years; I also use powder with batch dates in the 40s, without any issue.

Sniff test (solvent-good, ammonia-BAD), and start low.

 

[Big Mc]

How long will powder keep? I found some Data powder (2200) From the 90's all sealed. Open one and it smelled fresh and sweet like my recent purchase of LT 32. nilebartram

I have two three pound kegs of Green Dot I bought for shotgun shells. In a cardboard package. Bought in 1963. Just loaded 100 rounds last week. Still fine. It all depends on how you store it. Just my two cents Tommy Mc

 

[wkdickinson]

In the late 90's I bought 8# of Varget, then for many reasons basically quit shooting, so it sat in my basement all this time (in it's plastic jug, in a dark, cool cabinet). Over the years I would use a bit here and there for hunting loads etc. I started shooting again maybe 5-6 years ago. Having about 6# left, that's what I used in my 308 and 223 - worked fine. I still have a little left and can't tell any difference between it and the new 8# I bought a year or so ago.

 

[biggun2869]

I remember reading in American Rifleman probably 40 years ago that they still had a quantity of unique that if I remember reading it right came out in the teens and they checked it periodicly and it hadn't changed a bit. You guys check this out. I know I read it!
Most important that it is stored at the right temp and humidity

 

[chkunz]

I remember reading in American Rifleman probably 40 years ago that they still had a quantity of unique that if I remember reading it right came out in the teens and they checked it periodicly and it hadn't changed a bit. You guys check this out. I know I read it!
Most important that it is stored at the right temp and humidity

Yes, it was stored at Hercules. They put several pounds of the, then new, Unique in a beaker covered with water. Every 10 to 20 years or so they would take some out and dry it out and test it. The last time I remember that they reported on this was probably in the American Rifleman article you reference. Also, it was reported on in Handloader magazine. There was only a slight degradation in pressure. Unique is a double base powder that is stable under water.

 

[Webster]

How long will powder keep? I found some Data powder (2200) From the 90's all sealed. Open one and it smelled fresh and sweet like my recent purchase of LT 32. nilebartram

I read an article years ago that could probably be found using Google. The article stated that a big factor in the determination of smokeless powder life and deteriation is the washing and removal of residual acid that is used to make nitro cellulose. Each lot is tested for residual acid and it should be below a certain %. I will look for the article.

 

[sundance]

I just finished up the Data 2200 powder I bought in the 1990's . I got 15 8 pound jugs of it when Natchez was closing it out at $40.00 per 8-pound jug. Loaded many many 223 Ackley rounds with 40 gr Vmax with that powder. Loved that powder, I think Natchez said it came from Europe somewhere. They had 200 8 pounders total.

 

[jepp2]

How long will powder keep?

You do realize there is a difference between the shelf life for single base and double base powers, right?

The rule of thumb is single base 45 years, 25 base when double base, IF STORED PROPERLY. But the only powder I have had go "bad" was a single base, properly stored after ~15 years. And I always just imagined (maybe hoped) that when powder went bad it went down in energy. But that isn't what my Chrony said. Dramatic increases in velocity/pressure.

 

[46and2]

You do realize there is a difference between the shelf life for single base and double base powers, right?

The rule of thumb is single base 45 years, 25 base when double base, IF STORED PROPERLY. But the only powder I have had go "bad" was a single base, properly stored after ~15 years. And I always just imagined (maybe hoped) that when powder went bad it went down in energy. But that isn't what my Chrony said. Dramatic increases in velocity/pressure.

Is this info published anywhere we can read?

 

[K22]

My problem is not shelf life but having enough powder to worry about shelf life.

But to the point, I've had some 231 and IMR 4350 which was given to me by a fellow shooter that was about 10 years old. Had no problems with it.

 

[Ringostar]

If anyone has H4350 that’s past 2 years old. You probably shouldn’t use it. Just give it to me for proper disposal.

 

[jepp2]

Is this info published anywhere we can read?

The very best information I have seen posted were by a forum member (might not have even been on this forum) and was extensive testing done my the military. They established strict guidelines for double base and single base powder, for their storage conditions (bunkers). After the date they study indicated as life, they would dispose of the powder, period.

Here are the less certain words from Hodgdon (but realize they have no control about the temperature and conditions their customers practice after it is sold).
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-education/safety/gunpowder-stability

What might last 40 years in my basement, might be 18 years in the metal building "out back".

 

[Kittitas George]

Long ago a friend stored 4831 or 4320 in a quart jar, it deteriorated quickly and the pressures went up dangerously. Loads used before that were safe, weren't safe any longer. It took quite a while to find the problem. Store the powder in the original container.