Old primers & powder

cek · July 12, 2009, 02:42 PM

It's been since about 1995 since I last reloaded. I'm excited to get back into in now that my son has turned of age and wants to shoot with me.

I have a large supply of Winchester WSP & WLP primers (purchased in anticpation of the Clinton ban) as well as 2 mostly full bottles of smokeless powder that has been stored since in a cool/dry place.

Are there any concerns about the age of these components?

Looking forward to being involved in this online commmunity...

Joefo · July 12, 2009, 03:04 PM

I would doubt very much if there is a concern. I have used stuff 10 times as old as that. If it has been stored half way decent it shouldn't be a problem.

gendoc · July 12, 2009, 03:13 PM

thats right!!!

i gotta bout 25lbs of win680 thats over twenty years old !!!
it seems that it performs better now than it did back then

but i really know why!!!! its not cuz of tha powder

if ya keep it good, it'll treat ya good... thats what i say!!!
kinda like my ol'lady...........

Randy 1911 · July 12, 2009, 06:20 PM

I have shot bullets that were loaded in the late 50's and had no problems. Primers will last a very long time. The powder will still be good if it don't smell acrid.

VaFisher · July 12, 2009, 07:19 PM

Dido on all the above post.

rc · July 13, 2009, 02:48 AM

As long as you've not stored the stuff in a shed that has extreme temperature or moisture variation you should have the same results you did back in the 90s. I started reloading in about 95 and although I don't think I have any powder that old, I have some from about 98 or 99 that's still just fine and I never really considered that it was too old as it's been fine every time I've needed it this whole time. I believe primers are even more resistant to deterioration than powder. If these components went bad in their packaging they would go bad in your reloads which from my experience will last virtually as long as factory ammo when stored properly. rc

WESHOOT2 · July 13, 2009, 07:03 AM

I still have-n-use some powders from 70's marked "Hercules"

jjohnson · July 13, 2009, 08:18 AM

Right.... of course, it may be time to buy more components in anticipation of the Obama administration doing something to infringe on your liberty.

Sure, the old stuff should be just fine - unless you stored it in a really hostile environment (like a garage in Miami). If your components were stored in an environment that you like - for temps and humidity - they should be fine for decades to come.

And... yeah, I'm using some primers and powder right now that I know for certain date back to at the least the early '70s. No problems so far.

margiesex · July 13, 2009, 09:30 AM

Use them with assurance that the above comments are "on target!" as I, too, am using older primers and powder.

Enjoy the hobby and God bless.

Margiesex

And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

Sevens · July 13, 2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

I would doubt very much if there is a concern. I have used stuff 10 times as old as that. If it has been stored half way decent it shouldn't be a problem.

Smells like BS!

Are you saying that you've used stuff that was one hundred forty years old at the reloading bench?

Steviewonder1 · July 13, 2009, 10:14 AM

I am currently using pre-Clinton primers and year old powder. My pre-Obama primers will likely start getting used in about 3-5 years. I can get all the powder I want for around $23-25 per pound in single pound and around $20 per pound in 4-8lb canisters.

Slamfire · July 13, 2009, 05:47 PM

I am still using up a stock of 1994 vintage WLR primers. They shoot great. I recall using 1000 60's vintage CCI pistol primers, and they all went bang.

Powders. The Army scraps double based powders at 20 years, single based 45 years.

Positive indications that powder has gone bad is if it is turning red. Also signs of advanced deterioration are an extremely bitter smell (due to nitric acid gas), or a lot of rust inside the can (due to nitric acid gas).

If you have these indications then the powder should be poured on the lawn.

Cool/dry/out of the sunlight are excellent storage conditions.

Hot, extreme hot, humid, wet, is bad for powder. Exposure to sunlight is bad as this stuff is a polymer and sunlight probably breaks the stuff down. Like the paint finish on your car.

Dannyl · July 15, 2009, 01:41 PM

Hi, about 3 months ago I had a really good surprise while sorting out my garage.
I stubled upon some handgun and riflew ammo, as well as a few tins of powder and 2000 primers that I had "misplaced" when we moved house in 2000. ( still trying to figure our why I had never opened those 2 cardboard
boxes

)
some of the stuff dated back to 97' .

All was stored in a relatively stable temperature and free of moisture. Since then I have shot most of those (over 500) handgun rounds, the rifle cartridges also worked fine, and the same applies to the powder and primers.

Out of curiosity I loaded two batches of 30-06 ammo. one with components that are over 10 years old, the other with components straight off the shops shelves, and both batches timed the same velocities.

The test was done at the test lab of the local powder manufacture -SOMCHEM (who are very friendly to the reloading public) so I know that the readings are as accurate as one can get.

If they are indeed in good condition, then go ahead and use them.

Cheers,
Danny

epr105 · July 16, 2009, 01:07 AM

No problem using the old stuff as long as it was stored in a cool dry place. I put my reloading stuff into storage in 1997. I took everything out in 2003 and loaded up a bunch of ammo with no problems at all.
EPR105

Anticonn · July 16, 2009, 01:51 AM

Quote:

I am currently using pre-Clinton primers and year old powder. My pre-Obama primers will likely start getting used in about 3-5 years.

Is anyone else amused by the standard of measuring the age of a firearm or components by presidential elections?

I know it's a sad state of affairs, but come on, you gotta appreciate the humor in it.

No? Fine, I'll be quiet

Sidewinder72 · July 16, 2009, 07:55 AM

No problem with using old powder or primers as long as they have been stored right. Test it to find out.

ken22250 · July 16, 2009, 08:20 AM

theres no problem using old primers, most of the primers i have are 10+ years old, and as long as the powder still smells a little sweet, like ether, its fine to use. i still got most of my pre-clinton primers and powder, when bush got in office, i bought new stuff, and when the election was on its way, i stalked up again, i dont think ill need my clinton primers for a few years
ken

plainsman456 · July 16, 2009, 10:52 AM

I still use primers and powder that i got in 1978 and they all go BOOM.it should work.Good Luck

GeauxTide · July 16, 2009, 12:18 PM

Got some old Hercules Unique and Blue Dot that I still use.

Wulfmann · July 17, 2009, 09:26 PM

I was given some REM LP primers from the late 40's and everyone shot fine in my Kimber 1911 and accurately

I had a pound of H4831 that stated on the box "This is WWII surplus powder and not guaranteed to shoot to spec".
It did shoot to spec.

It is not the age.
If stored properly powder and primers will last longer than loaded ammo because the various chemicals are not in contact.

Wulfmann

July 12, 2009, 02:42 PM	#1
cek Member Join Date: July 12, 2009 Posts: 87	Old primers & powder It's been since about 1995 since I last reloaded. I'm excited to get back into in now that my son has turned of age and wants to shoot with me. I have a large supply of Winchester WSP & WLP primers (purchased in anticpation of the Clinton ban) as well as 2 mostly full bottles of smokeless powder that has been stored since in a cool/dry place. Are there any concerns about the age of these components? Looking forward to being involved in this online commmunity...

July 12, 2009, 03:13 PM	#3
gendoc Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: lowest bama Posts: 53	thats right!!! i gotta bout 25lbs of win680 thats over twenty years old !!! it seems that it performs better now than it did back then but i really know why!!!! its not cuz of tha powder if ya keep it good, it'll treat ya good... thats what i say!!! kinda like my ol'lady........... Last edited by gendoc; July 12, 2009 at 03:27 PM.

July 12, 2009, 06:20 PM	#4
Randy 1911 Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2009 Location: Western Arkansas Posts: 273	I have shot bullets that were loaded in the late 50's and had no problems. Primers will last a very long time. The powder will still be good if it don't smell acrid. __________________ Been Reloading 27 Years NRA Member Member Old Fort Gun Club www.ofgc.org

July 13, 2009, 02:48 AM	#6
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,767	No worries As long as you've not stored the stuff in a shed that has extreme temperature or moisture variation you should have the same results you did back in the 90s. I started reloading in about 95 and although I don't think I have any powder that old, I have some from about 98 or 99 that's still just fine and I never really considered that it was too old as it's been fine every time I've needed it this whole time. I believe primers are even more resistant to deterioration than powder. If these components went bad in their packaging they would go bad in your reloads which from my experience will last virtually as long as factory ammo when stored properly. rc

July 13, 2009, 07:03 AM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	there's 'old', and then there's 'really old' I still have-n-use some powders from 70's marked "Hercules" __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

July 12, 2009, 03:04 PM	#2
Joefo Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 1999 Location: NY Posts: 165	I would doubt very much if there is a concern. I have used stuff 10 times as old as that. If it has been stored half way decent it shouldn't be a problem.

July 12, 2009, 07:19 PM	#5
VaFisher Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 596	Dido on all the above post.

July 13, 2009, 08:18 AM	#8
jjohnson Member Join Date: December 10, 2007 Posts: 72	No Sweat Right.... of course, it may be time to buy more components in anticipation of the Obama administration doing something to infringe on your liberty. Sure, the old stuff should be just fine - unless you stored it in a really hostile environment (like a garage in Miami). If your components were stored in an environment that you like - for temps and humidity - they should be fine for decades to come. And... yeah, I'm using some primers and powder right now that I know for certain date back to at the least the early '70s. No problems so far.

July 13, 2009, 09:30 AM	#9
margiesex Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Levittown, PA Posts: 210	Enjoy! Use them with assurance that the above comments are "on target!" as I, too, am using older primers and powder. Enjoy the hobby and God bless. Margiesex And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and soon!

July 13, 2009, 10:14 AM	#11
Steviewonder1 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2009 Location: John's Creek, Georgia Posts: 328	Old Primers and Powder I am currently using pre-Clinton primers and year old powder. My pre-Obama primers will likely start getting used in about 3-5 years. I can get all the powder I want for around $23-25 per pound in single pound and around $20 per pound in 4-8lb canisters.

July 13, 2009, 05:47 PM	#12
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I am still using up a stock of 1994 vintage WLR primers. They shoot great. I recall using 1000 60's vintage CCI pistol primers, and they all went bang. Powders. The Army scraps double based powders at 20 years, single based 45 years. Positive indications that powder has gone bad is if it is turning red. Also signs of advanced deterioration are an extremely bitter smell (due to nitric acid gas), or a lot of rust inside the can (due to nitric acid gas). If you have these indications then the powder should be poured on the lawn. Cool/dry/out of the sunlight are excellent storage conditions. Hot, extreme hot, humid, wet, is bad for powder. Exposure to sunlight is bad as this stuff is a polymer and sunlight probably breaks the stuff down. Like the paint finish on your car.

July 15, 2009, 01:41 PM	#13
Dannyl Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Cape Town - South Africa Posts: 627	OK if stored in the right conditions Hi, about 3 months ago I had a really good surprise while sorting out my garage. I stubled upon some handgun and riflew ammo, as well as a few tins of powder and 2000 primers that I had "misplaced" when we moved house in 2000. ( still trying to figure our why I had never opened those 2 cardboard boxes) some of the stuff dated back to 97' . All was stored in a relatively stable temperature and free of moisture. Since then I have shot most of those (over 500) handgun rounds, the rifle cartridges also worked fine, and the same applies to the powder and primers. Out of curiosity I loaded two batches of 30-06 ammo. one with components that are over 10 years old, the other with components straight off the shops shelves, and both batches timed the same velocities. The test was done at the test lab of the local powder manufacture -SOMCHEM (who are very friendly to the reloading public) so I know that the readings are as accurate as one can get. If they are indeed in good condition, then go ahead and use them. Cheers, Danny

July 16, 2009, 01:07 AM	#14
epr105 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: Sullivan County, New York Posts: 241	No problem using the old stuff as long as it was stored in a cool dry place. I put my reloading stuff into storage in 1997. I took everything out in 2003 and loaded up a bunch of ammo with no problems at all. EPR105 __________________ Two to the chest and one to the head

July 16, 2009, 07:55 AM	#16
Sidewinder72 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 130	No problem with using old powder or primers as long as they have been stored right. Test it to find out.

July 16, 2009, 08:20 AM	#17
ken22250 Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2008 Location: Pennsylvaina Posts: 218	theres no problem using old primers, most of the primers i have are 10+ years old, and as long as the powder still smells a little sweet, like ether, its fine to use. i still got most of my pre-clinton primers and powder, when bush got in office, i bought new stuff, and when the election was on its way, i stalked up again, i dont think ill need my clinton primers for a few years ken

July 16, 2009, 10:52 AM	#18
plainsman456 Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2008 Posts: 260	I still use primers and powder that i got in 1978 and they all go BOOM.it should work.Good Luck

July 16, 2009, 12:18 PM	#19
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	+1Weshoot2 Got some old Hercules Unique and Blue Dot that I still use.

July 17, 2009, 09:26 PM	#20
Wulfmann Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 188	I was given some REM LP primers from the late 40's and everyone shot fine in my Kimber 1911 and accurately I had a pound of H4831 that stated on the box "This is WWII surplus powder and not guaranteed to shoot to spec". It did shoot to spec. It is not the age. If stored properly powder and primers will last longer than loaded ammo because the various chemicals are not in contact. Wulfmann __________________ "The right to bear arms should not be infringed upon if only to prevent tyranny in government". Thomas Jefferson, Constitutional debates