Antique powder

[mountainman56]

I have used some old powder from time to time and never worried about it as long as it has been stored properly. I do however believe a friend of mine who has just taken up reloading has set a record. He has been using an old metal can of Dupont IMR 4198 for his .223 (with fairly good results). The price tag on the can is $3.15. The reloading manual that accompanied his heirloom reloading equipment is dated 1947.

What do you guys think of using what could be 60 plus year old powder?

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

As long as the powder hasn't deteriorated and he's working up his loads properly, why not? There is always the factor that when you are out you will be developing loads from scratch though as modern powder may not be exactly the same burn rate as 60 year old stuff, especially if the manufacturer has changed plants like most have.

 

[FearNoWind]

... as long as it has been stored properly.

There's you answer.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

There's you answer.

I had some 5010 for a while that hadn't had the acids neutralized properly (I now believe it was Talon powder); it went bad even though it was good when I got it and I stored it properly. Storing powder properly is the right thing to do and in the vast majority of cases it will not go bad, but you still need to be a bit wary of deterioration. On the flip side, I got some good fertilizer out of the deal.