Powder Shelf Life
- Thread starter tgwillard
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Forty years ago I did some reloading of .45 ACP using my trusty Lee Loader. I am planning on getting back into this. I still have nearly full cans of some DuPont 700x and Hercules Unique. Any difficulty in using this powder?
If it looks "rusty," feels sticky, or smells "funny," such as acrid, or otherwise offensive, it's probably "spoiled." If not, it may well be OK, but I'd try a few moderate loads experimentally before undertaking a large production run.
john traveler
Member
Where are you located?
The biggest single factor in smokeless powder deterioration is extended storage in high temperatures, particularly summer desert temps in a garage or storage shed. Exposure to direct sunlight is a close second. If your long term storage is indoors, say a closet or a/c room, there is little need to worry.
The biggest single factor in smokeless powder deterioration is extended storage in high temperatures, particularly summer desert temps in a garage or storage shed. Exposure to direct sunlight is a close second. If your long term storage is indoors, say a closet or a/c room, there is little need to worry.
Paul5388
US Veteran
Actually, the biggest factor is whether it's a single base or double base powder. The nitroglycerin content in double base powders tends to plasticize it and makes it capable of lasting 100 years, like the 1899 Unique Alliant has on a shelf.
The only powder I've ever had to go bad was some WWII H4831, a single base powder.
The only powder I've ever had to go bad was some WWII H4831, a single base powder.
29aholic
Member
in speaking with Hodgdon ball powders have a shelf life of 70-80 years. I would expect flake powders to be somewhere close to that. I have loaded 2400 that was at least 20 years old with no problem.
Just be sure to reduce max loads by 10% and work up, as recipes do change even in the same burning rate.
Just be sure to reduce max loads by 10% and work up, as recipes do change even in the same burning rate.
After I posted, I remembered that I had some ammunition that I reloaded some 40 years ago and was stored in the same area as the powder. In January I fired off a few of these reloads and they were fine. Assuming the cans of powder are properly sealed and stored in the same area, I would think that the powder in the reload would age the same as the powder in the can. I have some factory (military) .45 acp that was made in the early 1930's. I wonder how this ammunition would fire?
The powder seems the same as when I was reloading back in 1969. No strange smell or change in appearance.
The powder seems the same as when I was reloading back in 1969. No strange smell or change in appearance.
john traveler
Member
The most notable of smokeless powder deterioration incidents were batches of WWII IMr 4831 (USED IN .50 bmg and 20mm cannon) and Korean War era production of ball powders. Nitric acid is one of the components of smokeless powder manufacture, and it is normally completely removed during processing. However, during the rush of wartime production, acid residues left in the nitrocelluose accelerates powder deterioration, hence the reddish dust or evident of rust inside a metal powder container. A distinct sour or acrid smell is also characteristic. Not the sweet aromatic of alcohol and ether fumes, but sour smell. Since small arms propellents were made in such humongous quantities (railroad boxcar "lots"), much of it was available as surplus to post WWII hobbiest reloaders, and that is where we hear about surplus powder deterioration.
Ammo made in the 1930s can be remarkably stable, because this was before the wartime manufacturing frenzy.
Ammo made in the 1930s can be remarkably stable, because this was before the wartime manufacturing frenzy.
m657
Member
I've just about finished on a jug of XP-5744 that is around 26 years old that I've had it.
It still loads a decent round, doesn't smell funny, etc.
Wish I could get some more for the same price....
It still loads a decent round, doesn't smell funny, etc.
Wish I could get some more for the same price....
