Imr 4831

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DrWho

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Doing a reload cabinet clean up and found a old unopened metal can of IMR 4831 that i had dated June 1995 , has a price tag sticker on it at $15.99 . Unscrewed the cap the factory foam seal still in place with no signs of every being lifted . I removed the seal and poured some into the powder scale . As the powder had a fine lite brown dust coming off it as it went into the hopper , never seen this before .Powder was stored inside room with controlled temp with low humidity . Power still smells good , just wondering if anyone has every seen this before . Is powder still good or ????
Thanks for any info .
 
DrWho said:
Ok thanks , think will play it safe and dispose of it .
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That's up to you but many shooters will still load powder in that condition (like warzaw, although I wouldn't label powder in that condition as normal, lol). I'm just trying to let you know what's likely happening.
 
4n2t0 said:
That's up to you but many shooters will still load powder in that condition (like warzaw, although I wouldn't label powder in that condition as normal, lol). I'm just trying to let you know what's likely happening.
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If the powder was stored properly and smells good it is a normal condition for old powder to dust up the coating is breaking down but shootable. Do some research bad powder is easily identified. IMHO
 
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The smell is the test. A slight solvent smell is good powder.

Bad powder cannot be mistaken. It is gross ammonia smell, like your cat pissed in the can.

Shoot the powder. One pound is not much. Can you mix it with another can or jug?
 
Ganderite said:
The smell is the test. A slight solvent smell is good powder.

Bad powder cannot be mistaken. It is gross ammonia smell, like your cat pissed in the can.

Shoot the powder. One pound is not much. Can you mix it with another can or jug?
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My thoughts exactly the light dust is the coating starting to break down I would give the can a shake to mix it up the only thing that might happen with is a slight velocity loss.
 
hunters home said:
https://www.rifleshootermag.com/editorial/how-to-determine-gunpowder-shelf-life/83922
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Thanks for that , great article lot of great info .
Did the smell test and its has a very off aroma for sure compared to the other cans of IMR4831 I have . Doing the can shake then opening the lid produced lots of little brown dust. Will be disposing of it just to be on the safe side .
After 50+ years of reloading think this is my only powder that has gone bad .
Thanks again for all the info + tips .
 
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