Powder shelf life

[Meaty]

Sorry if this has been covered before but here goes. I have been given a kilo of N140 that has a sticker on the base that says 11 92 (Nov 1992?) It is a dark blue and red container and has a flip top lid. Is there any way of telling if it is ok to use and are there any rules of thumb that should be adhered to when using old powder. It smells exactly the same as the new tub that I am presently using. What I was going to do was load say 5 rounds and compare them back to back with exactly the same load from the new tub-is it safe to do so?
Thanks.

[Dangermouse]

Good Question, I do not think this has been covered before on here.

I know that a shooter in the USA put out a warning on the Accurate shooter web site re old powder. If memory serves me, he had a boom instead of a bang. I can not remember the details but have a feeling that there was a third element to his story ie Powder + age +? equals a problem. I do remember after reading it that I did not need to worry, so have forgotten the details - sorry.

Lets see what others have to say,

DM

[ovenpaa]

I have shot 5 year old powder (Thanks FRS!!!) but not much older however we have all shot milsurp that is many years old without issue. I would carefully run a few test shots and if they work out then shoot it.

[bnz41]

When I first started reloading 8+ years ago, I bought 2 tubs of Red Dot which I was told was cheap old stock, I have only just used the last tub up, still works ok in a 310 cadet. May be different in larger case size loads of different powder makes. Load a few and try them.

[Sim G]

All depends on how the powder has been stored. Cool, dry, dark place seems to be the recommended. I also believe that Aliant has some of their original powder, decades old, that they test the new stuff against now and again, to ensure the consistancy of the new powders with the old.

Personally, I'm still loading with some powders, Unique and Bullseye, that were originally bought for my pistols over 15 years ago......

[IainWR]

It is certainly the case that, once loaded into rounds, powder works reliably years on. Provided it has not been subjected to extremes of temperature / pressure I would think it would be fine - the military have been stockpiling ammo and using it years on since the cartridge case was invented. Your workup plan sounds sensible. Let us know how it goes.

Iain

[Dave 101]

Try testing a line from each tub of equal amount and length then light each if they burn at the same speed I cant see there being a problem ,

Dave

[dodgyrog]

I've got powder from the 70's and I know Dromia has some as well. It works well.
Just smell it when you open it and if it smells acrid pour it around the roses.