Buying older powder in metal cans?

[jeff43]

What do y'all think about buying older powder in the metal cans?Would you buy any at a decent price?

[Raoul]

I sued some 3031 a couple of years ago that was probably 25 years old. And yes it was in a metal can. As long as the powder has been kept closed up in the can is should be OK. Might smell is to see if there's an off smell, maybe like ammonia. That might indicate it's gone round.

Also make sure the cans haven't rusted inside, that might cause a problem.

Otherwise load it and shoot it.

[173rdABN]

I have a BUNCH of old powder from my grandfather from DuPont in metal cans. Still use it once in a while when I'm low on powder for certain calibers. Works flawless. As long as it was kept in a cool, dry place go for it.

[jeff43]

I have a BUNCH of old powder from my grandfather from DuPont in metal cans. Still use it once in a while when I'm low on powder for certain calibers. Works flawless. As long as it was kept in a cool, dry place go for it.

Yeah that's the thing , just don't know how this was stored.I guess as long as the cans aren't rusted inside it should be good.

[gregintenn]

I saw it on GOC for $15 per can. Smell of it. If it smells like powder and not something rancid, go for it. I'm still shooting powder from cans that don't have a bar code. When did they start that? Late 70's, early 80's?

 

I figure if a man had as much powder as was shown in the ad, he likely knew how to properly store it.

Edited January 19, 2015 by gregintenn

[jeff43]

I saw it on GOC for $15 per can. Smell of it. If it smells like powder and not something rancid, go for it. I'm still shooting powder from cans that don't have a bar code. When did they start that? Late 70's, early 80's?

Yep, that's what I was looking at.It would be a good deal if it's all good. He told me he'd take $200 for it all.25 cans. I just don't need that much on top of what I already have.

[Raoul]

Yep, that's what I was looking at.It would be a good deal if it's all good. He told me he'd take $200 for it all.25 cans. I just don't need that much on top of what I already have.

Of course you need an extra 25 lbs of powder.

[jeff43]

Of course you need an extra 25 lbs of powder.

Think so? Lol

[gregintenn]

Jump on it. Sell what you don't want. A looooooooooong drive and prior commitments are why I don't already have it.

 

Some of those real old cans have a collector following of sorts.

[jeff43]

Thought about that, and thought it might be hard to sell.People being leary of it like me.

[gregintenn]

It ain't a life changer either way, but five hours in a car is the only thing preventing me from getting it. I see a lot of 3031, some 4064, and several cans of 4350. All of which I use. I can't tell for sure what's in the cube shaped cans. Some pistol powder maybe?

[jeff43]

It's all sold.Just talked to him.

[battleop]

I saw it on GOC for $15 per can. Smell of it. If it smells like powder and not something rancid, go for it. I'm still shooting powder from cans that don't have a bar code. When did they start that? Late 70's, early 80's?
 
I figure if a man had as much powder as was shown in the ad, he likely knew how to properly store it.

I found a can of W231 in my father in law's stuff after he passed a way. He didn't reload his best friend did and that's likely where it came from. It's got a price tag of $8.95. I've loaded a hundred rounds of 9mm and 100 .40 and it shoots fine. It smelled and looked just like the plastic bottle w231 I bought last year.

[frankmako]

there is a three or four stage test of old powder.  but i don't remember all of the steps.  one is a smell test. one is to put some on white paper and roll it up/around.  if it leaves black mess on the paper it is bad.  one is to burn about a tea spoon of powder.  if it burns good it is good.  bad powder will not burn good/clean, it will pop and flash.  i call the maker of some old 1973 bullseye powder i had and they told me the tests.  the 1973 bullseye powder check out good and i used it in some 45 acp loads.   so the maker and asked them for the tests.  

[Trekbike]

As long as it was sealed and stored properly, I'd take old powder in a metal can over plastic.

Plastic may seem solid but it has microscopic pores so real old powder is more likely to go bad in a plastic container IMO.

[seez52]

I had a can of extruded that turned brown. I threw it out. Others I've had have worked just fine

[gregintenn]

It's all sold.Just talked to him.

Ya snooze ya loose!

 

Story of my life. :up:

[jeff43]

Was gonna go check it out yesterday, but didn't have time.I asked him yesterday if he would be around today , and he said yes after 4:30 PM.Text him a bout 5:30 PM and he said he sold it this morning.Kind of glad he sold it. Lol.

[Jamie Jackson]

It would have most likely been fine. As mentioned above, it's pretty easy to determine when you can physically see it.

I still have a couple of those red cans of 3031 and shot about 20 rounds of 5.56 I loaded with it last week. I purchased that powder in 1991.

 

I'm glad he so far away from me and I didn't know about it until it was being discussed. Whew! Saved me some bucks! :pleased: