SmallCaliberCentral

Can anybody tell me what is the shelf life of gun powders? Does it degrade over time so that an old powder would perform significantly different than new/fresh? Iv'e got three old cans of IMR 4350 and I'm wondering whether they're any good.

Wyo

Smell them. Should be a strong alcohol type smell (close...not exact).

Powder should not have a rust color to it.

Go to IMR's website - they have info there.

http://www.imrpowder.com

Or http://www.hodgdon.com

Thanks acloco. The info was helpful.

Forgot rule #1 on powder..."...if in doubt, throw it out".

I had three partially full cans of IMR 4350 powder I had used to reload for my 30.06 and 7mm Mag and while I was cleaning I decided to combine all three cans to cut down on the space they were taking up. It still seems to shoot alright.

I'm still shooting some H4831 in my .270 Win that I purchased in the early '70's. That batch has accounted for a truckload of mule and blacktail deer and coyotes. It is marked:

"This is WWII surplus powder"

It still shoots at the same level of accuracy and pressure it did when new. If stored properly, the above should say it all.

DON'T JUST THROW OUT SUSPECT POWDER!!! Use it as a fertilizer in your flower beds or garden. Waste not--want not!!!

[quote="Rick in Oregon"]I'm still shooting some H4831 in my .270 Win that I purchased in the early '70's. .

Ditto that! I've just opened my second one pound can of W-W 230 Ball powder. It's been discontinued since about 1975. But 4.3 grains of powder = lots of .45 ACP rounds per pound! Next is that old can of W-W 540.

WT, Are you sure it was 1975? They have a jug of it over at the Ace Hardware that looks like its been there a while but not THAT long. You like it for the .45acp? I believe it says shotshell powder on it so I havent really considered it. I'd go snatch it up if its good in the slabsides though.

WT: I've been using WW-231 in all my .45 acp's for years with excellent results. H&G #68 200gr SWC over 5.8grs of 231 is a great combination. It meets major power, and drops coyotes in their tracks (probably two legged varmints too if needed, but that's why they make Hydra-Shocks.....)

Did you possibly mean 231 vs. 230?

Myself and many other IPSC shooters in the 80’s loaded 452aa shotshell powder with the HG 68. Very clean burning, and very inexpensive.

i am shooting some surplus powder h4831 that my grandpa bought in august 1968. i still have about 3lbs of it. works well in my 25-06 and 270.

Rick in Oregon wrote:WT: I've been using WW-231 in all my .45 acp's for years with excellent results. H&G #68 200gr SWC over 5.8grs of 231 is a great combination. It meets major power, and drops coyotes in their tracks (probably two legged varmints too if needed, but that's why they make Hydra-Shocks.....)

Did you possibly mean 231 vs. 230?

Rugerdogdog (two dogs? )
I do believe it was about 1975. That was about the last time I saw it mentioned in the Winchester loading manuals (and others) that I have. Remember, I said 230 not 231. I think 231 replaced 230, but I've never been able to find out why. 4.3 gr. / 230 is a mid-range load that gives good function in my Colt '70 series National Match Gold Cup with a 16 pound Wolf spring.

Rick in Oregon,

Yup, it's 230 not 231. I'm loading a cast 200 gr. SWC and use it for an indoor combat league at 10, 21 and 50 feet, so it doesn't have to be too accurate, just reliable.

WHISTLEPIG wrote:Myself and many other IPSC shooters in the 80’s loaded 452aa shotshell powder with the HG 68. Very clean burning, and very inexpensive.

Whistlepig,
You must have read my mind! Probably didn't take too long. I have about 1 pound of 452 AA left in a 4 pound can and was going to track down a .45 ACP load using a cast 200 gr. SWC. Do you have any data that you could share?