Powder age

[powdergun]

Does powder lose accuracy potential as it ages ? I know proper storage is key and that powder can be stored for a very long time but would 20 year old powder be less accurate than fresh powder ( 1 yr or less )

 

[Cocked&Locked]

well, I've loaded 40 year old bullseys that belonged to my grandad and it worked fine.....it was stored properly. Heck still have a seal can of it that I can't bring myself to open . (the old square cardboard ones)

For ultimate accuracy, you'd probably be better off with new stuff though. I'd load the old stuff for practice or plinking.

 

[joe-nwt]

I finished a cardboard can of Herco last year. Worked fine.

 

[brnolvr]

Recently bought 6.5 pounds of 4831 surplus powder from WWII sold in the late 60's early 70's by Hodgdon.

Side of the Cardboard container reads:
"This is World War II surplus powder, Storage life is not guaranteed."

Shot some last month, worked very good, every bit as good as new H4831sc. Powder is still nice shiny black, no bad odor. Proper storage is everything!

 

[RePete]

If the powder has been stored correctly, many, many years.

I used 8lbs of H4895 that was at least 20 yrs old.

 

[Boomer]

Just a couple of months ago I loaded some ammo with H-4831 from the old square boxes, and it worked fine. It all depends on the storage conditions of the powder. How long has it been since H-4831 sold for $19.00 a pound? I'm thinking about 30 years.

 

[Fall Guy]

I just used up some 25 year old IMR 700X and 7625. No problems.

Here is a quote from Hodgdon:

Although modern smokeless powders are basically free from deterioration under proper storage conditions, safe practices require a recognition of the signs of deterioration and its possible effects.

 

[RePete]

How long has it been since H-4831 sold for $19.00 a pound? I'm thinking about 30 years.

Not that long, maybe 12 .ears

 

[Brambles]

O.K whats the best storage conditions? Whats the worst?

 

[joe-nwt]

O.K whats the best storage conditions? Whats the worst?

Cool and dry, yessir, cool and dry....

 

[Boomer]

Not that long, maybe 12 .ears

Not that stuff Ammo Mart sold, I mean real H-4831. It's been over $20.00 for atleast 20 years. Anyway, $19.00 was the sticker price on the old square boxes I had.

 

[Why not?]

Forty years ago, i was still buying H4831 for two dollars a pound.

One dollar if you bought it in the fifty pound keg.

Ted