Old Stock gun powder vs New Old Stock.

[longrangehunter]

I’ve never been one to toss out old powder, and tend to save it for breaking in a new barrel.
Last week was IMR 4350 from 2006 that was previously used for a 8mm Remington Magnum.
I tested it against a newer bottle produced in late September 2001 in my 30/06 after 20 rounds with the stuff from ‘06, and there was zero difference between the two lots!
I’ve been storing powder for over thirty years, black powder longer, and Red and Green Dot even longer…. I started making shot shells when I was eight or nine years old.
I’ve always stored it in a chest freezer, unplugged, in a climate that was stable and cool, 50-60’s and I’ve used just this year some Vihtavuori N165 produced in 2001 vs new this year VV N165 and both were identical in the velocity department.
Most of the time I’m down to a 1/4 lbs of the older lots since I usually sell what I’m not using. But for those wondering how long can smokeless gun powder last, longer than you’d think.

 

[jimbires]

I've done this, too . I had an old can of IMR4064 . it had a price on it of $10 or $12 . I didn't know what to expect . I loaded a few up with the old powder , and loaded up a few with a new pound of powder . shot them over my labradar , there was no difference . components last a long , long time .

 

[Hunter26]

Powder and primers last a very long time if stored properly. I've never done a comparison like y'all have but I've been given some 30-50 year old unopened cans of powder and primers and they shot great.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I agree that they last longer than expected. Was given a partial pound of Dupont black powder 3F in the mid 90s that was purchased in early 60s by an older co-worker. He kept it in an outbuilding. There was no rust inside of the can, looked and smelled good. So, I used it in my 40-caliber muzzle loader. Shot it in matches and squirrel hunted with it till all gone. Kept the can.

 

[Bruce Mc]

I have several pounds of H 870 was was nearly thirty years old when I bought it. That was 45 years ago. It still smells right and performs as intended. Unfortunately it is just outperformed by modern powders.

 

[RL338]

Last year I picked up a couple bricks of Alcan primers and they work just fine. Proper storage is key for survival.

 

[clearwater]

The only powder I had go bad was from WW2. Surplus 4895. H335 from the same time worked okay.
I am currently shooting the last of a can of Dupont Pistol #6 in a 44 mag. Using Primers in wooden trays.