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So I have this older powder ...

Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:10 pm
by JR's 12 Valve
Bought in 2000, haven't cracked the seal till today, and I can't tell if it's good or not.

I know smell test is the go to way, but I can't smell anything ... not just the powder, but my sniffer is broken. The powder looks fine, but the lack of being able to do a smell test is making me reconsider. Is there any shop in DFW or eastern Tx with decent reloading knowledge that will be able to tell me if the powder is ok, or ready to throw away?

It is Accurate 2230-C (Accurate says it's a spherical AA2460 and to use same loads) if that makes any difference.

Re: So I have this older powder ...

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:11 pm
by LivewireBlanco
If it was sealed and stored indoors then it's good. Even in a garage it would still probably be good.

Re: So I have this older powder ...

Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:20 pm
by MoJo
The smell of ether that tells you stick powder is still good, is not in ball powder. If the powder is discolored or has a reddish rusty look then it's bad. I have a couple of jugs of Accurate ball powder that I bought in the 1980s. Still OK and still functions properly. :tiphat:

Re: So I have this older powder ...

Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:37 am
by aggie67
I still have some surplus WWII 4895 that is still good and very consistant in performance as in grouping. We bought this stuff bulk back in the 50' for $.50 a pound or so. I had a 30 # drum that we split up with reloading friends. I am loading with a pound can of 4350 right now that still has a price tag of $1.49. The only powder tat I have personally seen go bad was a can of bullseye that had a small hole rusted in the can bottom and moisture had seeped in.

Re: So I have this older powder ...

Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:50 pm
by JR's 12 Valve
I have no desire to reload .223, 30-30, or the other calibers it is recommended for, so I really just want to get rid of it.

I do not however want to sell the powder if it is bad.

Re: So I have this older powder ...

Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 1:47 am
by Beiruty
I picked it up of JR hands, it was a pleasure to meet this gentleman. A+, highly recommended.