Does Powder Have a Shelf Life?

L

lawn gnome

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Like the powders we buy in either one pound or eight pound plastic bottles.
If it is still sealed, does it have a "Best Before Date"?

Or is it really only at risk once you break open the seal on the mouth?
 
If you keep your powder dry (low humidity) and in a cool, dark place, it will still be good 100 years from now. No best before date needed nor would even be useful information. It completely depends on the storage conditions.

Light, moisture and heat degrade powder.
 
If it is sealed and not in a hot location, it should last forever.

But, it could have a manufacturing defect that could show up and eventually make it go bad. The strong ammonia smell will make it very clear that it has gone bad.

I am using some powders that I bought 50 years ago (that were old when I bought them).
 
Ganderite said:
If it is sealed and not in a hot location, it should last forever.

But, it could have a manufacturing defect that could show up and eventually make it go bad. The strong ammonia smell will make it very clear that it has gone bad.

I am using some powders that I bought 50 years ago (that were old when I bought them).
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Way to date yourself lol..
 
Just finished off a jug of HP-38 that my dad got when he first started reloading back in the late 80's (so 30'ish yrs old). Stored in a finished basement or garage with the cap on tight for its entire life. Produced a lot of good loads in my 9mm before it ran out.
 
I've had some powder deteriorate. As mentioned, there is a strong odour. Rusted the cans, and anything near them. But that was unusual.
 
I have an older metal 1lb canister with imr powder that smells pretty strong , not like ammonia but more like a solvent (acetone like) or something. No rust in the can and powder looks good, i assume it is still good to go but what are your thoughts about it ?
 
I have some IMR4320 that I bought in 1991 that has a very distinct odour, not bad or noxious, but very distinct. It's in the metal Du Pont cans and there's no signs of rust or deterioration. I use it and it works fine.
 
bertn said:
I have an older metal 1lb canister with imr powder that smells pretty strong , not like ammonia but more like a solvent (acetone like) or something. No rust in the can and powder looks good, i assume it is still good to go but what are your thoughts about it ?
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The acetone smell means it still very fresh powder. The bad smell is terrible and cannot be confused with anything else.
 
For the last 18 months my wife and I have been using Hercules Infallible for our Cowboy Action loads. Hercules Infallible was manufactured between 1898 and 1948. I scored about 7 lbs on a private sale and still have about half of it left. I had to go to a book published in 1937 for load data. If it has been stored properly 70+ year old propellant can still be used.
 
How about primers?

Unlike powders, they just come on a tray ion a cardboard box.
Should they be more affected by heat and humidity swings over time.
Do they have a shelf life that is similar or different topwders?
 
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