Powder use by date?

[purdeydog]

Evening all.

Stupid question maybe but how long do powders keep for. I’ve some different powders with dates on.

N140 2018/2016.
N150 2018
N540 2017
N133 2017.

It’s been stored well and seems fine. Not reloaded for a couple of years. Ran out of Ammo now. No use by date on tubs.

Cheers.

 

[Demetrius]

10 years is suggested by Reload Swiss.........main thing is to keep them below 25C as far as possible, and don't use them if they change colour, or begin to smell unduly strong.

D.

 

[Jagged77]

Evening all.

Stupid question maybe but how long do powders keep for. I’ve some different powders with dates on.

N140 2018/2016.
N150 2018
N540 2017
N133 2017.

It’s been stored well and seems fine. Not reloaded for a couple of years. Ran out of Ammo now. No use by date on tubs.

Cheers.

Absolutely fine to use. I’ve got several tubs that have been opened for 15 years plus and now using - N135 being one which I’m now using for the lighter weight copper .308 loads. Accuracy and consistency is spot on. Funny though, someone once said give the powder a sniff, if it’s started to break down it’ll give off a smell different to its normal whiff. Makes sense but don’t know if it’s actually true!

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Load and shoot em

Only thing that kills it is UV and moisture
For our purposes the powder date is not the limiting factor

 

[old 30-06]

I bought a pot of powder from a well known gun shop in Tonbridge Wells. When I got it home I saw the date of manufacture (about 14 years old). I phoned them and their response was that it would be fine, return it if I encountered a problem. I used it over the course of a year, and there was no problem with it at all.

 

[purdeydog]

Cheers guys. I’ll crack on making some ammo!

 

[Acm]

Just to reassure you I’m just finishing a canister of 1997 dated n160. Almost as old as me!
I’m getting good consistent velocity and no change of group size or poi shift from the last canister which was a 2022.

 

[MilesW]

I still have Dupont PB from the seventies on the shelf. Still good. Also still regularly using 20 year old ADI powders.
Storage is the key. As ER above says, water and UV are killers, but probably worse is extreme temps. Months on end in a bush tin shed at 45C will kill it pretty quick. Probably not applicable in the UK.
Take a sniff. You won't miss the acrid smell of off powder. It should have a "sweet" note to it.

 

[hybridfiat]

The year 3000, possibly.
I have shot .303s made in 1942 and they shot really well.
Mind you my black powder loaded .32 rimfires from the 1920s were a little unreliable.

 

[Smellydog]

I've got powders on my shelf from the 70's.
Worry ye not.

 

[Liveonce]

no no, best not use it let me know your address and i will collect it and dispose of it for you

 

[Finnwolf VL63]

I am Still using Nobel Revolver No 1 for my 22 Hornet, must be close to 50 years old, No problem great accuracy.

 

[pete evans]

I was given a couple of tins of ICI Nobel #2 and had a great load in my 308. Must have been pretty old but I wish I had more as it was very accurate and consistent

 

[Finnwolf VL63]

I was given a couple of tins of ICI Nobel #2 and had a great load in my 308. Must have been pretty old but I wish I had more as it was very accurate and consistent

Aye great powders,still have six unopened cans.

 

[purdeydog]

Great replies. Good to know it’s ok. Save me a fortune and a ball ache trying to get new powder.

 

[Klenchblaize]

K