Powder Shelf Life

KROIL · December 27, 2007, 07:37 PM

I do know that smokeless powder that if kept dry and from temperature extremes will keep for many years. My question concerns Pyrodex and Cleanshot for muzzle loaders and their shelf life. I have a 5 or 6 year old un opened container of Cleanshot. I shook it and it does not sound granular. Like it "clumped" up. The Pyrodex sounds as it should when the container is shaken and it is 7 or 8 years old. I think I will crack open the Cleanshot and try to ignite some. I would hate to use dud powder and have to pull the load.

Eclzeastes · December 27, 2007, 07:44 PM

I have a similiar question and instead of opening a new thread I thought it would be more efficient to just ask here.

I am having some trouble in my local area getting some Accurate #5 and Accurate #7. There are a few stores that have both but it is the old label and appears to have manufacture dates many years ago... some I thought were 2000 and 2001.

Is this powder worth taking a chance on or do I wait until some new stuff comes in????

tomh1426 · December 27, 2007, 07:50 PM

I just started reloading and almost everything Im using is stuff people gave me including powder.
I didnt look to see when the powder im using was made but I remember the last time it was used was 1989

armedandsafe · December 27, 2007, 08:26 PM

I'm working on a can of 4350 I bought in 1964. Still works.

If the odor is off, use it for fertilizer.

Pops

Sevens · December 30, 2007, 07:42 PM

If you already own the stuff and it's in your possession, why not pour out a tiny spoonful of it, and ignite it in the driveway? It oughta burn.

If it's for sale and there is no spectacular savings on it, I can't see a valid reason to specifically buy 8 year old powder. But... I have powder that's 10+ years old and it works perfectly well.

thallub · December 30, 2007, 08:15 PM

"My question concerns Pyrodex and Cleanshot for muzzle loaders and their shelf life. I have a 5 or 6 year old un opened container of Cleanshot."

Clean Shot and it's more modern forms; granular APP and JSG all attract moisture. They clump. I use JSG granular extensively. I put a couple of dessicant packs in opened cans of APP and JSG-no more problem. Make sure the lid is on tight.

ForneyRider · January 3, 2008, 06:55 PM

Read a reloader article comparing a new can of powder with 50yo old powder of same type. Basically the same results.

JB696 · January 5, 2008, 07:13 PM

I just finished shooting up some pistol primers I laid in during the great Clinton primer scare of 1993. All good.

December 27, 2007, 07:37 PM	#1
KROIL Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 306	Powder Shelf Life I do know that smokeless powder that if kept dry and from temperature extremes will keep for many years. My question concerns Pyrodex and Cleanshot for muzzle loaders and their shelf life. I have a 5 or 6 year old un opened container of Cleanshot. I shook it and it does not sound granular. Like it "clumped" up. The Pyrodex sounds as it should when the container is shaken and it is 7 or 8 years old. I think I will crack open the Cleanshot and try to ignite some. I would hate to use dud powder and have to pull the load.

December 27, 2007, 07:44 PM	#2
Eclzeastes Junior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Vermont Posts: 1	I have a similiar question and instead of opening a new thread I thought it would be more efficient to just ask here. I am having some trouble in my local area getting some Accurate #5 and Accurate #7. There are a few stores that have both but it is the old label and appears to have manufacture dates many years ago... some I thought were 2000 and 2001. Is this powder worth taking a chance on or do I wait until some new stuff comes in????

December 27, 2007, 07:50 PM	#3
tomh1426 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2005 Location: Youngtown Arizona Posts: 1,135	I just started reloading and almost everything Im using is stuff people gave me including powder. I didnt look to see when the powder im using was made but I remember the last time it was used was 1989

December 27, 2007, 08:26 PM	#4
armedandsafe Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: Moses Lake WA Posts: 1,001	I'm working on a can of 4350 I bought in 1964. Still works. If the odor is off, use it for fertilizer. Pops

December 30, 2007, 07:42 PM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	If you already own the stuff and it's in your possession, why not pour out a tiny spoonful of it, and ignite it in the driveway? It oughta burn. If it's for sale and there is no spectacular savings on it, I can't see a valid reason to specifically buy 8 year old powder. But... I have powder that's 10+ years old and it works perfectly well. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

December 30, 2007, 08:15 PM	#6
thallub Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: South Western OK Posts: 3,122	"My question concerns Pyrodex and Cleanshot for muzzle loaders and their shelf life. I have a 5 or 6 year old un opened container of Cleanshot." Clean Shot and it's more modern forms; granular APP and JSG all attract moisture. They clump. I use JSG granular extensively. I put a couple of dessicant packs in opened cans of APP and JSG-no more problem. Make sure the lid is on tight.

January 3, 2008, 06:55 PM	#7
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	Read a reloader article comparing a new can of powder with 50yo old powder of same type. Basically the same results.

January 5, 2008, 07:13 PM	#8
JB696 Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2005 Posts: 136	I just finished shooting up some pistol primers I laid in during the great Clinton primer scare of 1993. All good.