Using old reloading materials

[Vic T]

Hi,

This is a great site and I look forward to learning more here. About 18 years ago I was started reloading for my .270 Ruger and I really enjoyed the process and the improved accurancy at the range. I have not done any since then and am ready to take it up again. I am wondering about the old gunpowder and primers that I have had stored in a damp basement and then later in my unheated garage (subjected to 5 years of freezing and thawing). Should I dispose of these materials and get new materials? What is a safe way to dispose of the powder and primers? Thank you for your help.

Vic T
Maine

 

[FOTIS]

If the powder smells acidic then use it for fertilizer. The caps should be ok from what I know.

 

[clearwater]

Temperature extremes-especially heat- is hard on components.

I just
inherited powders and primers from the 50's and 60's. They had been stored in a cool dry basement The surplus
4895 and 4831 which weren't in origional containers has some rust
colored dust, so it became fertilizer. The canister grade powders I loaded
up in similar weights with some current ones of the same kind and found
no real difference in performance. The 4350 and 4759 gave similar
accuracy and velocity in both dupont and imr versions. And I am getting great accuracy from some old H450 and W760 BR.

The primers were cci mag primers and are not consistant diameter,
some go in hard some easy, even in new brass. They do however
shoot good.

 

[Vic T]

Thank you for the tips. I have turned it into fertilizer and soaked my primers in oil prior to discarding them too. Better to be safe than sorry, I figure.

 

[FOTIS]

:wink: