Found an old container of powder -- Is it still good?

[Rafter-S]

Gentlemen,

I was rummaging through my shop today and found a 1# unopened container of Accurate No. 5 powder. It has been there for about 15 years (the price tag was marked $14.95). My shop is insulated but not heated or air conditioned, so the temps range between 25 and 100 with the average being about 75 or so. I have never had a humidity problem--tools have never rusted.

I wonder if the powder is still good since the seal has not been broken. Anyone have opinions or data on how long powder will last under these conditions?

Thanks in advance,
Rafter-S

[tgwillard]

Most likely the powder would be fine. Last year I got back into reloading and used up some 700X and Unique that I first used some 40 years earlier. Now if the powder has some type of odd smell to it, I would discard it.

[Joni_Lynn]

I always give it a sniff, if it smells bad (as compared to powder you know is okay) then I burn it off out back. If it has a red dust look to it then it's going bad also.
If it was sealed all that time it most likely is still good.
If it is sticking in clumps, break them up. Sometimes ball powders will do that.

[Alk8944]

Open it and look!

When smokeless powders deteriorate they release free Nitric acid resulting in rusting of the can, an acrid/acidic odor, and fine red dust throughout the powder. This last will appear to be a red gas cloud when the powder is poured from the can. The red dust is not rust from the can, that is brown.

If you see/smell any of this use it for fertilizer on the garden or grass. If it is still shiny, gray or black, and looks like new powder it is fine.

[2152hq]

Most likely OK. I used up some red dot from '66 recently and it wasn't stored in original containers either (coffee cans inside plastic bags!). It was fine.

Give it the smell test as stated above. OK powder will have a slight scent of medical alcohol (best I can describe it).
The acrid smell of powder that has started to decompose has already been described as well as the physical characteristics of it.

When in doubt,,pitch it out!.... It's just not worth it to chance ruining a firearm or yourself for the price of a pound of powder.....

[cbpotel]

I have been reloading since 1965 and I still am finding some components and powder I have since I started reloading. None of the powder I have in storage has gone bad in the past 40 plus years. Also, I have about 8 to 10 pounds of H4831 Korean War surplus powder that is still good. It is one of the most consistent powders I have used. Like Joni said earlier, give it the smell test. If the powder has a pleasant smell it is OK, If there is an acrid odor, it has gone bad. Burn it, or spread around your bushes as fertilizer.

[Joni_Lynn]

Most powder has a nitro smell to it, sniff it long enough nd you'll get a headache.
I have a small quantity of he old H4831 that came in a paper bag, it has gone bad but still makes a spectacular flame when lit.