Safety of Old Propellant Powders

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  • Last Post 26 July 2021
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Elmer posted this 17 July 2021

Greetings,

After a 15 year hiatus, I'm going to resume reloading. My propellant powders are 15 -30 years old. Several cans are factory sealed. The opened cans smell like solvent and are not discolored. All have been kept in n sealed magazines in cool and dehumidified basement. A representative of a US seller of "three brands" told me they should be good to use.

Does anyone disagree?

Comments appreciated.

JSM

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David Reiss posted this 17 July 2021

The key to powder long life is cool, low humidity storage.

I have powders older than yours that have been opened are are still good. Unless they are acrid smelling or have a rusty powder coating, they are good.

 

David Reiss - NRA Life Member & PSC Range Member Retired Police Firearms Instructor/Armorer
-Services: Wars Fought, Uprisings Quelled, Bars Emptied, Revolutions Started, Tigers Tamed, Assassinations Plotted, Women Seduced, Governments Run, Gun Appraisals, Lost Treasure Found.
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Little Debbie posted this 17 July 2021

Nope. If no red dust, no smell other that the slight solvent, and no rust on metal part of containers you’re fine shot some 50+ year old Red Dot today and use some 50+ year old Alcan AL-5 on a regular basis.

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Elmer posted this 18 July 2021

Dave and Little,

Thank you. I suspected as much. There's safety in numbers.

JSM

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Alstep posted this 19 July 2021

 I'm still using some powders I bought in the '70's & '80's.  All good.   Just tapped open a can of Green Dot, marked 1984, price sticker is $8.99.   I thought that was a lot of money back then.

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Elmer posted this 19 July 2021

Dear Alstep,

Yep. I thought $15 back in 1985 was pretty stiff. However propellant powers are $35-40 for the std manufacturers, so I don't think that is too bad. I'm retired, too, so I've cut way back on nonessential stuff which gives me enough to reload and shoot to my heart's content. Thank you for your reply.

Elmer

JSM

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Brodie posted this 20 July 2021

All of my Red Dot was purchased back in the 1980's.

B.E.Brickey

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Elmer posted this 26 July 2021

Friends,

Question answered. Thanks to all.

JSM

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