Reload Equipment and Powder

[Flip G]

I am new to this site and need a little information. I had an Uncle pass away a few months ago and he was big into reloading and my family gave me all of his equipment that he had collected over many years ( he was 89 ). I went to get it today and it was all I could do to fit it on my pickup, Shot shells,primers,lead shot of all sizes,tools, you name it. I don't reload so here is my question, there was so much powder in big paper kegs how long will it last before I can figure out what to do with it? I have a lot in plastic and metal cans also. I took it to storage and it is in a dry place.

                                                                                                                                      Thanks,      Flip G

[rickyp]

to be honest I will not use powder that I do not know the entire history about. It is not worth taking a chance that someone may have made a mistake with it or didn't store it right. I have two powder cans that I use for old powder from pulled round but I am careful and the cans are spray painted black Whit righting on it saying do not use.

IF it was me with the powder I would use it for fertilizer on the yard. It is best to be safe then sorry.

[Flip G]

Thanks rickyp, several cans have been opened and a lot of them are still sealed, do you think they would be ok? I'll dispose of the opened ones.

                                                           Thanks,        Flip G

[rickyp]

I can not say for sure if they will be safe or not,  I would defiantly not sue the open ones. how old is the powder?

If it is stored under very good conditions power can last a very long time but if it was not stored right it can deterred  and no telling how it would react.

then if it is real old the modern loading data may not be right for it. powder makers have been known to change the powder slightly over time.

[Hairtrigger]

I would keep those cool old powder containers and use the powder for "experiments"!

[Flip G]

I don't know how old or new any of it is. Some look really old, paper cardboard and wood. I don't know any of the history at all and guess I never will on this equipment but one of the reloaders is built like a mac truck and feels like it weighs about 75 lbs.

[Graybeard]

Do you know any experience loaders locally who could look at and help you evaluate it? There are things to look for but there are no hard and fast inidicators that "this one is good to go". Those still factory sealed likely are OK if stored properly. If they have been exposed to a lot of moisture or heat then maybe not so OK.

You know better than us the conditions you found them in so most likely how they were stored. Powder keeps a really long time if kept in a cool dark dry location.

The opened cans I'd not trust PERIOD. Use them as fertilizer they work well for that.

Perhaps if you told us where you are someone is close enough to take a look and offer a first hand experienced evaluation. Ultimately tho it's on you to be safe and no one from a distance can give you an OK and that really is the driving force in the responses we give.

[LHitchcox]

It all depends on how they were stored. Sounds like your uncle knew what he was doing, so I think it is good. I suspect you may have a bigger problem finding data on some of the powders. It hasn't been sold in those kinds of containers since the '70s. At a gun show a year and a half ago, I found a dealer with 8# boxes of HP 38 that were '70s production for $50. Since the new 8# jugs are well over $100, I went for it. It loads and performs as intended.

Leon
 

[alleyyooper]

I also think it sounded like your uncle was into it so didn't do stupid stuff with the powder.

Were it me and I didn't know much about it I would go to the local sportsman club and ask for some one that reloads for rifle and shot guns.
Maybe a trap, skeet, sporting clays range or a rifle range if the sportsman club didn't work out.
Let them see first hand what you have and go from there.

   Al

[Flip G]

Graybeard thanks for the info. I am going to a local gun shop and find someone who can tell me what I have. As for the open kegs of powder I think I will take the advice from some of the other post and just use it on the garden. I know my uncle knew what he was doing ( US Army Retired and also a great Marksman on the US Army Rifle Team old school ), powder I am sure was stored right but I just don't know the history of it. Thank you all for your post as it has educated me one some things I would never have considered.

                                                                                                  Flip G