I found this article and thought i would post it for other reloaders.
Hodgdon Landing
hodgdonreloading.com
I'm using 24 yo powder and 20 year old primers for the 338 Lapua Magnum. Shooting slightly over .5" at 100yds with it in my son's Sako model 85LR. It's definitely a matter of how it's stored no moisture or air and around 60 degrees or cooler it will last a long time.I read that too. Not sure but maybe it's a sales pitch. But properly stored it should last many years
The question is what is normal? Garage, high or low temp range, humidity. /We know that properly stored poeder and ammo from WW2 still functions.
It's in the article. What feels comfortable to a human being the same for smokeless powder. I try to keep mine between 50-70 degrees year round. Same for primers. So far I've had good luck.The question is what is normal? Garage, high or low temp range, humidity. /We know that properly stored poeder and ammo from WW2 still functions.
OK folks, you are reading my first post although I signed up a few months ago. I thought I would tell you about my powder burning experience.
Years ago, I used to shoot a lot and used a lot of various types of pistol and rifle cartridges. On the salary of a guy in the USAF, I couldn't afford to buy and shoot new ammo. Therefore, I started to reload my used brass and could shoot for MUCH less. I purchased my first S&W .38 SPL in approximately 1966 and started with a Lee Loader. I quit reloading and shooting in approximately 1995. At that time I was casting, sizing & lubing bullets as well as reloading the spent brass which made shooting costs at about two to three cents per shot.
Since all of my equipment has been in storage for the last twenty-five years, I decided that it was time to get rid of the old powder. On the brick walk that leads into my yard barn, I laid out a bead of powder about 3" wide, 1" thick and 6' long. Then set the remaining powder back and lit the end of the stretch of powder. No problem, it reacted as it always had in the past. After the burn, I repeated the process with the same results. Actually, that was the stupid part but I got away with it that time. I poured the second strip of powder on top of the previously burned area! I was about three feet into the third pour when everything auto ignited! There was either a glowing ember or a hot brick that ignited the remaining powder! There was no explosion but every bit of remaining powder burned in about 3 – 4 seconds and was extremely hot.
My burns were first and second degree to my hands and right side of my face. My hands and right ear got the only second degree burns. I destroyed a pair of sunglasses but they saved my eyes.
All will be well as everything is progressing nicely albeit not as fast as I would like. I am looking forward to playing golf this spring if my right hand heals enough. ️