Concerns 7 year old powder?

[Zen Archery]

I'm pulling a barrel off a rifle and realized I've got about 200 rounds of ammo that equals a lot of Varget (30.06). Any concerns reusing powder this old particular since it's been sitting in a case? Do/can primers change the molecular integrity of the powder?
Thanks in advance.

 

[19 Badger]

If stored properly, powder and primers last a VERY long time. Humidity is the #1 killer I've been told. I still use some 4831 powder my dad bought in the 60's. Works perfectly...

 

[1moredeer]

^^^^This^^^^

 

[sierracharlie338]

As long as it's been kept away from humidity I'd say it's fine.

 

[FEENIX]

If stored properly, powder and primers last a VERY long time. Humidity is the #1 killer I've been told. I still use some 4831 powder my dad bought in the 60's. Works perfectly...

Agreed! I just looked at the powders I have open, and the oldest is dated 9-30-10, and it is still GTG.

 

[Trnelson]

Should not be any issue. Check it for any discoloration, such as a rusty color. A splotchy dark and light appearance, such as one case that the powder appears different. Also a strong smell is usually associated with powder that has gone bad. Dump them one at a time into an isolated dish to examine them and then combine once you can verify the condition.

 

[Painless300]

Like others have said check for smell and discoloration by pouring into a big mixing bowl. I had some Retumbo that was 10 years old, but I keep all my powder in conditioned air. The only issue I had was some clumping, I broke up the clumps and it shot just fine.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I put a label on all of my powder and primers indicating the month & year of purchase. I have a can of powder that I bought in 2003 and probably haven't used it since then. Just recently I gave it a try just out of curiosity. The powder ignited normally, velocities were as expected and the groups were tight. I was kind of amazed.

 

[ButterBean]

Let Her Eat

 

[John Klingenberg]

I've been toting some 3006 surplus ammo around dated 1932. I've had it 20 years. I use it to get on paper or shoot vermin with. It still shoots fine and has an extreme spread of 26 on average.

 

[NYHUNTER444]

I'm pulling a barrel off a rifle and realized I've got about 200 rounds of ammo that equals a lot of Varget (30.06). Any concerns reusing powder this old particular since it's been sitting in a case? Do/can primers change the molecular integrity of the powder?
Thanks in advance.

I've used and still use powders that I've had for decades with zero issues.

 

[memtb]

I have some mil-surp that is around 70 years old......works just great! With good storage methods .....the life expectancy is many years! With poor storage (really poor) methods.....it may be weeks! memtb

 

[Dosh]

Zen, your powder should be ok. The primers have no effect on the Varget. I have pulled bullets and reused the powder several times with no issues as long as I know what powder it is.

 

[del2les]

As long as the ammo has not been exposed to high moisture or extended high heat, you should be fine.
I have some old varmint handloads that I found that were loaded in 1983, and they shoot well. Also, as others have stated, I have shot
old mil surplus 30-06 with dates of 43-53, and they worked fine. I have a few old cans of powder that date to the mid 80's, and I still use them for the occasional loads to replicate a few of my old pet loads from the time.