How long can you store Powder??

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Ontariooutdoorsman

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I quit reloading about 12 years ago and just found I still have 3/4 lb of IMR 4350 and 1/2 lb Win Super Field. They have been stored in a dry location and I'm thinking they should still be fine.
Any thoughts.....does time alter powder if it is stored properly????????????
 
It does break down eventually, but anecdotes I have heard seem to suggest that it takes 50 years or more under good conditions. Substandard conditions, particularly warm temperatures, can accelerate the deterioration.
 
if it was in a dry room, and original containers should be no problem. I have some 20+ years old, and still meters fine
 
Haha! I read about powder lifespan just the other day.
I gather that it will last nearly indefinitely if stored properly.

Heat and moisture or lack of heat are the contributing factors to deterioration. So don't store in sub zero climes nor in areas where high humidityand /or high heat prevail. If humidity is a problem then *expose your propellants only as needed ( *my own words and they make sense to me.. you may and are welcome to think otherwise) keep it in an approved container, out of direct sunlight, and away from sources of ignition such as electrical, mechanical or chemical. So, dont store it next to your furnace or the lawm mower jerry or... near sources of electricity that could potentially create a static ARC. Old steel tins may be more suseptible to electric issues than their newer plastic counterparts. I prefer the old tins as they are easier to store but.. some genius figured a space wasting round plastic bottle was "safer" so kiss that one good bye. anyway. COMMON SENSE PREVAILS..( and we all know that this is in itself is a very rare super power...)

If your propellant is odorous beyond what you would consider to be normal then it may have begun to break down and should be disposed of by pouring water onto it or pouring it out and setting fire to it... (the fun way....) I understand too that since some propellants contain some measure of nitro glycerine... they are impact sensitive and may ignite or detonate from mechanical shock.... Hehehehe....*evil grin*
As powder breaks down it will gas and those gases smell "ripe".

So rule of thumb.... clean dry & comfortable for you will be clean dry and comfortable for your propellants.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/storage_handling.aspx
 
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very dumb questions guys... but....

Why have some of you held on to powders for such long periods of time? I have some here.. and I intend to load it and use it within the next 6 months or less... Then maybe get more? I dunno. Just sayin' seems odd to hold dangerous goods for an extended period of time. As is the case with all things, I would think that "the odds" -whatever they may be for whatever items you have will be stacked against you. Its simply the way nature works.. Always towards the side of time and decay... along with time and decay comes other such phenomena as "luck" or "chance"... Chances are your luck will run out one day.... even in my predetermined 6 month time frame I wont escape nature, time and decay, but my chances are less than someone in it for a long duration.... all trucks need new tires eventually.
 
Because when I find a good deal, I buy it cheap and stack it deep :)


Mr. Jeffery said:
very dumb questions guys... but....

Why have some of you held on to powders for such long periods of time? I have some here.. and I intend to load it and use it within the next 6 months or less... Then maybe get more? I dunno. Just sayin' seems odd to hold dangerous goods for an extended period of time. As is the case with all things, I would think that "the odds" -whatever they may be for whatever items you have will be stacked against you. Its simply the way nature works.. Always towards the side of time and decay... along with time and decay comes other such phenomena as "luck" or "chance"... Chances are your luck will run out one day.... even in my predetermined 6 month time frame I wont escape nature, time and decay, but my chances are less than someone in it for a long duration.... all trucks need new tires eventually.
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VanMan said:
Because when I find a good deal, I buy it cheap and stack it deep :)
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I get that... 'Prepping'. Store it well. There are rules about how much you can keep on hand. Not that anyone pays attention, but again back to that thing called time, luck, and chance... let me know if you happen across a "good deal" on 168 gr 30 caliber projectiles.... LoL! I'll look forward to a reloading day!
that's one of many reasons.. any others out there?
 
Mr. Jeffery said:
very dumb questions guys... but....

Why have some of you held on to powders for such long periods of time? I have some here.. and I intend to load it and use it within the next 6 months or less... Then maybe get more? I dunno. Just sayin' seems odd to hold dangerous goods for an extended period of time. As is the case with all things, I would think that "the odds" -whatever they may be for whatever items you have will be stacked against you. Its simply the way nature works.. Always towards the side of time and decay... along with time and decay comes other such phenomena as "luck" or "chance"... Chances are your luck will run out one day.... even in my predetermined 6 month time frame I wont escape nature, time and decay, but my chances are less than someone in it for a long duration.... all trucks need new tires eventually.
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If someone passes away and leaves enough loading components for the rest of your life , what idiot would say NO?

Further to this, if you've ever been to an auction where stuff is bid on by the lot, case, or box, you don't have the option of only bidding on six month supply.

And even further, if you think its a "dangerous good", its because you are really fresh to this game. Your chainsaw gas or BBQ tank is many times more dangerous than a can of powder. Have you ever poured some powder on a cement floor and put a match to it so you can watch it explode? Gun powder is not milk or gasoline, it does not go bad in our lifetime.
 
Mr. Jeffery said:
...Why have some of you held on to powders for such long periods of time? I have some here.. and I intend to load it and use it within the next 6 months or less... Then maybe get more?
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This comment suggests you are very new to world of reloading and probably even ammunition.

We just came through an extended powder crisis that was very severe for close to two years. Powder started disappearing from shelves right after the Sandy Hook Massacre in December 2012 and there are still some items in shortish supply. The gist of it was that powder for reloading was essentially unavailable for all of 2014-15. This coincided with an acute shortage of .22LR that lasted almost as long.

In the last 15 years I can recall extended primer shortages (shortly after the second Iraq invasion, I think), a dramatic bullet shortage, a couple of powder shortages, and varying degrees of problems getting some calibers of loaded ammunition.

Bottom line, the supply chain for munitions is not the same as it is for orange juice or car parts. You cannot count on simply going to the store and buying more just when you need it. Availability is strongly influenced by world and national events. I would never consider having less then a two year supply of components for any firearm I count on shooting.

All that said, you are right that being prepared does not justify having 30 years worth. I suspect that in most cases that is just the result of changing needs and resources. You buy a bunch of 4895 because you love shooting your Garand, but then you get a new job, then you move, and you wind up joining a club that specializes in pistol and you get hooked on IDPA and stock up on WAP. Then the baby comes and you don't have much time to do anything you actually want to do. You look back after a bunch of years and you are still sitting on a bunch of 4895 and Action Pistol but all you really want to do is start shooting more Sporting Clays. Such is the way of hobbies.
 
J.C.A.M... no need to get all defensive and insulting.

remember some idiots would also say YES!

Ive been to auctions.. who knows where that stuff has been, its your choice and your choice alone if you're into mysteries. I bet you wouldn't eat a sandwich you saw on the sidewalk now would you? Anyway.. whatever.

Im not new to "this game" as you say. and I don't much appreciate your inference that I am "new". Dangerous goods? If you're saying that propellant is not as dangerous as a chain saw or gas or a full propane tank? waoh.. wish I could live in your world. You have mentioned a number of items that all have similar potential of BECOMING dangerous... with a slight misnomer. most of the time, it all depends on the 'idiot' at the switch so to say. And go look on a can of powder.. whats the very first warning you see on BOTH sides of the can? Here's one for you since lighting propellant on a floor seems like a good idea.. Open the valve on a can of propane and lite that. Or pour some gas out onto that same concrete floor you speak of... See what happens there.... If luck and time and chance are on your side you will escape unharmed. if not.. well. I dunno.


fiddler said:
If someone passes away and leaves enough loading components for the rest of your life , what idiot would say NO?

Further to this, if you've ever been to an auction where stuff is bid on by the lot, case, or box, you don't have the option of only bidding on six month supply.

And even further, if you think its a "dangerous good", its because you are really fresh to this game. Your chainsaw gas or BBQ tank is many times more dangerous than a can of powder. Have you ever poured some powder on a cement floor and put a match to it so you can watch it explode? Gun powder is not milk or gasoline, it does not go bad in our lifetime.
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Somehow... by saying that propellant is not 'dangerous goods' leads me to believe that you may have missed the point to/of my question. This is the way I am interpreting your words. I really dislike that you call me 'new" . As I know nothing of you, conversely you know nothing of me. so what gives you the right to say such a thing? I don't know why I am wasting my time on this.
Ask yourself this... Why do powder bunkers exist? y'know...? the ones that are made to store explosive substances capable of combustion in an oxygen free atmosphere? Most ore constructed of steel and have special locks that keep prying hands out... As far as I can recall. I could be wrong though... (cuz I'm new.. don't ya know....) Gasoline and propane both need oxygen to burn. Without oxygen both of these compounds are inert. In fact you could toss a cigarette butt into a pail of gasoline and chances are it would be extinguished. Try that with propellant. I dare ya on both counts.. see for yourself. As for chain saws and bbq's... don't hold the wrong end and keep your face off the grill...
 
BattleRife said:
This comment suggests you are very new to world of reloading and probably even ammunition.

We just came through an extended powder crisis that was very severe for close to two years. Powder started disappearing from shelves right after the Sandy Hook Massacre in December 2012 and there are still some items in shortish supply. The gist of it was that powder for reloading was essentially unavailable for all of 2014-15. This coincided with an acute shortage of .22LR that lasted almost as long.

In the last 15 years I can recall extended primer shortages (shortly after the second Iraq invasion, I think), a dramatic bullet shortage, a couple of powder shortages, and varying degrees of problems getting some calibers of loaded ammunition.

Bottom line, the supply chain for munitions is not the same as it is for orange juice or car parts. You cannot count on simply going to the store and buying more just when you need it. Availability is strongly influenced by world and national events. I would never consider having less then a two year supply of components for any firearm I count on shooting.

All that said, you are right that being prepared does not justify having 30 years worth. I suspect that in most cases that is just the result of changing needs and resources. You buy a bunch of 4895 because you love shooting your Garand, but then you get a new job, then you move, and you wind up joining a club that specializes in pistol and you get hooked on IDPA and stock up on WAP. Then the baby comes and you don't have much time to do anything you actually want to do. You look back after a bunch of years and you are still sitting on a bunch of 4895 and Action Pistol but all you really want to do is start shooting more Sporting Clays. Such is the way of hobbies.
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Completely understand what youre saying... its not 30 years worth im spewing about.. its about having some for 30 years... It makes no sense to hold so long.. time and decay are very real and why take the chance of holding something so long.. use it and restock it. Surely a shortage hasnt lasted 30 years or more...n'est pas? I am aware that there has been "shortages" , but my views may be different. I recall many items being much cheaper.. Create a shortage and raise the price. This causes people to "hoard" as they figure there may never be any more. In the moment this is a very real feeling. I don't play that by that rule. Nothing in our world of shooting is worht the cost we are made to pay. This goes for many many other items out there also. not just guns and associated's. I remember a can of black powder selling for less than 8 bucks a can. I got a box of 223 projectiles for under 20 bucks... wtf happened..? I can only think like i do. "create a shortage using any reasonable excuse, jack up the price and they will come running to suck it up" A buddy of mine sent me a link to some factory that churns out 200K rounds a day... That's a lot of ammo over a year. If I had 5% of a days production, I could shoot till both my shoulder were sore and blue.
 
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This is all very good news to me. I always wondered the same thing and most of my research has led to indefinite shelf life. I have a problem with powder, when I see it I buy it. Sometimes I buy it all. Recent dry spells scared me a lil.
 
0neshot said:
This is all very good news to me. I always wondered the same thing and most of my research has led to indefinite shelf life. I have a problem with powder, when I see it I buy it. Sometimes I buy it all. Recent dry spells scared me a lil.
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I catch myself wanting to do the same thing.. but the price keeps me away and as painful as it is, I resist. When I have a load that like for a particular rifle. I am inclined to make tons of bullets. They are far more usefull than cans of powder sitting on the shelf at an inopportune time.. Right now its just getting caught short before a trip to the range or the fields. but if the SHTF.... better bullets than cans of powder. y'know? So with that... would it not seem more logical to have "final product" on hand rather than the ingredients... If the baker loses power to his bakery.. he wont be making bread...or cake.

"indefinite shelf life" is defined by the life it spends on the shelf.
 
Mr. Jeffery said:
I catch myself wanting to do the same thing.. but the price keeps me away and as painful as it is, I resist. When I have a load that like for a particular rifle. I am inclined to make tons of bullets. They are far more usefull than cans of powder sitting on the shelf at an inopportune time.. Right now its just getting caught short before a trip to the range or the fields. but if the SHTF.... better bullets than cans of powder. y'know? So with that... would it not seem more logical to have "final product" on hand rather than the ingredients... If the baker loses power to his bakery.. he wont be making bread...or cake.

"indefinite shelf life" is defined by the life it spends on the shelf.
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I agree completely finished product is best. For myself having a lifetime of components is a little out there though it's an idea I can certainly get behind. I guess the bottom line is I would rather be looking at it than looking for it. This is especially true when The store has none for months. I go through reloading spurts, I'll take a notion to crank out a couple thousand .223 and I just want to have what I need when the mood strikes me. Last year I bought all the Varget a certain high river fly shop had because I was on my last 1lb and I hadn't seen any in almost 2 years. I dunno I just don't wanna be without.
 
Mr. Jeffery said:
I catch myself wanting to do the same thing.. but the price keeps me away and as painful as it is, I resist. When I have a load that like for a particular rifle. I am inclined to make tons of bullets. They are far more usefull than cans of powder sitting on the shelf at an inopportune time.. Right now its just getting caught short before a trip to the range or the fields. but if the SHTF.... better bullets than cans of powder. y'know? So with that... would it not seem more logical to have "final product" on hand rather than the ingredients... If the baker loses power to his bakery.. he wont be making bread...or cake.

"indefinite shelf life" is defined by the life it spends on the shelf.
Click to expand...

I tend to stock up on the components that have the highest price fluctuations. So powder and primers. Usually do a bulk buy of projectiles once a year. I'm not a fan of amassing a huge stockpile for a SHTF scenario. I'm just cheap :)
 
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