Old powder new reloading data?

[il Padrino]

I have a full can of H110 that's probably over 20 years old that's in a sealed container, question? Is it safe to use current reloading data for it or should I look for reloading data from around the same time the power was manufactured?

 

[Steve C]

I have a full can of H110 that's probably over 20 years old that's in a sealed container, question? Is it safe to use current reloading data for it or should I look for reloading data for around the same time the power was manufactured?

Burn rates for canister powders remain the same so the current load data is good for older powder of the same name. As powder ages it gets less potent so if there's any degradation velocities may be slightly slower than a fresher can. I doubt if you will see much difference but it would be an interesting experiment to load some of the 20 YO stuff and some new stuff and run them over a chronograph.

 

[Paul5388]

I compared two lots of Unique that were at least 60 years apart in manufacture date (early 1940s vs 2005 vintage) and the difference was 25- 50 fps faster for the newer powder, depending on which of the three guns I used in the comparison.

I also compared some SR 4756 that was almost 50 years apart and the old powder (1956 vintage) was 8-20 fps faster than the newer powder (2004 vintage), depending on the which of the three guns was used.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Wussified data.

I have a full can of H110 that's probably over 20 years old that's in a sealed container, question? Is it safe to use current reloading data for it or should I look for reloading data from around the same time the power was manufactured?

This isn't true 100% of the time. The loads today are so litigation friendly you shouldn't have any problem with the powder you are wondering about, H110.

The problem, and I don't believe this, is supposed to be when you take newly manufactured powder and use old data for it.

Because the old data is still available and the powder is still manufactured, it would be suicide for a powder maker to reformulate to the point that the old data would cause blow-ups.

Differences from lot to lot? Sure. That is why we work up loads, remember?

 

[firearmsunlimited]

Sorry but I have to respectfully disagree with those who have said that the burning rates have not changed over the years. In some powders they have increased. I just read an article by Mike Ventureno in Handloader wherein he cautions about just this thing.

Before using powder as old as described you may want to take a good wiff. If it has a chemical smell it should be good but if it has an acidic smell it isn't and should be used only to fertilize plants.

 

[largecaliberman]

I would call Hodgon about this just to be sure. If not, I would start with the very lowest charge and work it up.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I have several pounds of different powders that are at least 20 years old, and the loads with them compared to loads with the newer powder run so close, that there's no more difference between them than there is between different lots of the same powder from the same year of manufacture. 20 year old powder isn't really going back that far. as long as it was properly stored you won't have any trouble. Just follow the manuals recommendations.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I have a full can of H110 that's probably over 20 years old that's in a sealed container, question? Is it safe to use current reloading data for it or should I look for reloading data from around the same time the power was manufactured?

Data for H110 was usually a lot hotter than seen in most manuals today.The question is usually in the reverse......"is old data safe?"As always,work up your load...no exceptions.

About the age of the powder....if it's been stored reasonably well,it should be fine.I have powder that is twice the age and still going strong.