Does powder store better in a cartridge or in the bottle?

[tailbon3]

I have two pounds of CFE 223 that I probably will not get to using until spring. Do powders generally preserve better in the bottle or in loaded cartridges? Or is there not much of a difference? I guess also related, what is a general 'best used by' date for reloaded ammo? One year? Three years?

 

[Garycrow]

No difference really. It'll last decades either way.

 

[MagnumManiac]

The worst thing for powder storage, either in the original bottle or loaded ammunition, is large swings in ambient temperature. It has been proven that a steady temp, even if a little warm, is best for powder storage. I keep my powder in an old cooler box, and my ammo is in lined ammo boxes in my house that stay pretty cool and consistent all year round. I have large temp swings where I live and my powder or ammo has never deteriorated being stored this way.

Cheers.
gun)

 

[BergerBoy]

That is a great question...

I have rounds, even shotgun ammo that is over 30 years old that has shot great. So if stored in a dry place I don't think it matters... At least that has been my experience.

I was given some CCI primers that were 35 years old. I loaded and shot them without issue. Now, if I was going on a once in a lifetime hunt or had a high prioity target I would not use 30 year old anything.

 

[RidgeTop]

If the brass is completely clean and bullet/primer is sealed I have shot some over 75 years.
A 1 pound or 8 pound can if kept in a cool place without large temp variations and is almost full will last as long.
More temp change and warm temps and a lot of air over the top of the powder would both degrade it some. (same applies to gas in a partial can or open can. The aeromatic hydro carbons evaporate rather quickly when exposed to air)
I think it was Hodgen when they first started they bought surplus cannon powder wrapped in silk bags. I think it was from WW I. They packaged it in 1 lb. cans. I think it was their 4831 if I remember.