AA#5 Smells Like Alcohol

[ColColt]

I posted this question on another forum in hopes of getting some varying opinions. Yesterday I pulled out some AA#5 to load a batch of 185 gr Sierra JHP's and noticed one of my two 1-lb containers smelled like mild alcohol. The other had no scent. I poured some of the offending powder out in a small container, smelled it again and it had no odor.

Could this be the container I'm smelling? The powder by itself dumped into a container didn't have the alcohol scent. I'm a bit hesitant on using it even though it's the newest batch due to the smell. The "good" powder has "Made in Israel" on the back whereby the newest pound doesn't-the one that smells.

[nicky4968]

The finishing processes of making smokeless powder involves an alcohol bath and then an ether one.
Shouldn't be a problem.

[ColColt]

I guess I was being a bit cautious since my "smeller" isn't as good as it once was. This hot off the press...

Deterioration

[firearmsunlimited]

The rule of thumb concerning powder deterioration is that if it has a mild chemical smell it is still good but if it has an acidic smell it has deteriorated and should be disposed of.