WE often hear folks ask about old primers and old powders and if they are ok to use. I have a 1 lb container of WW296 that I have had for a very long time. I recently loaded up some 357 cases with 14.5 grains behind 158 gr SJHPs.. I decided I'd better shoot a few before I loaded up a few hundred since the date on the powder container is 1984.

Guess what.....Every one went bang, and accuracy with this load was very good. So I guess if you store it properly and keep it dry, components stay viable for a very long time.

Of course I knew that, having shot some WWII '06 ammo that my uncle left behind...

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

If the powder has been kept from extreme temperature changes and a lot of humidity as well as not smelling acidic - you're probably good to go!!

I'm still shooting H4831 from WWII ignited by primers dated on the box from 1961. Never had one fail yet. I paid a little under $1.00 per pound delivered for the powder. Primers stayed at a penny a piece for 35 more years. Guess I should have stocked up!

That's almost brand new.
IF a cloud of red dust doesn't rise up or if the powder doesn't smell like nitric acid, it is almost certainly still good.

I'm using out of a 5lb keg of 2400 a friend gave me years ago. I don't use much at a time. I don't know how old it is but it was made before there was zip codes and it is in a metal container. Goes bag every time I use it.

I have powders that are about 20 years old, they shoot like brand new. The key is to keep the container lids on tight and store the containers in a climate controlled environment.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Years ago an old guy gave me a can of Dupont 5066 and an old squeeze top tin of BullsEye. That powder was all sent down range in .38 Special loads. Not one issue. Storage is key.

I’m still using some WW2 surplus IMR4831 that has been working fine in my Springfield 1903’s for decades!

I have some Red and Green dot powder from the mid 70s and primers from that era, they work fine. They were stored correctly in my humidity controlled basement.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Not loaded by myself or friends, but have shot lots of old, old ammo. A prime example is when I was stationed in Calif., we had several ranges on station and the local PD's and other law enforcement agencies used. The local PD would get ammo turned in by the elderly. A lady brought a grocery bag about 1/3 or more full of loose .45 ACP in to dispose of them. They (the PD) gave them to the 1stSgt. and I to shoot up. There were rounds from the nineteen - teens up to the 1950's. All went bang except 6 round headstamped 1931. Not all were real accurate, but all hit the target.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Smokeless powder is like milk. If it smells o.k., go ahead and use it.

Can someone describe the smell of bad powder ? Just curious. All of mine is stored in climate controlled basement cool and dry, but I have 8lb jugs I worry about since it will be awhile before I get through them !

A very good friend recently passed away;I got his supply of primers and powder.Some of it dates back when we started reloading in the mid '70s.
all going bang and still group like his notes from then show.

!984...!!!! Heck, that's just a hop, skip and jump ago. When my dad passed I inherited his reloading stuff. He had several containers of BLC that I know dated from the early 1960's. He also had the habit of priming cases and setting them aside for later loading. Consequently I ended up with hundreds of cases of primed .222 Remington and 30-06. None of it was stored in the best of conditions. But it all went bang! Smokeless powder and primers are pretty resilient.

John