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Posted: 5/30/2009 1:06:15 PM EDT
| I have the opportunity to buy a large quanity of IMR 3031 and Unique powder from an estate sale for a very attractive price. Some of it is 10 years old. The powder has been stored in it's un-opened orginial containers, inside G.I. ammo boxes, inside a climate controlled room in the gentleman's house. We opened a few of the older containers and the powder appears normal. Remembering a line from Marathon Man, I'll ask the forum, "Is it safe?" |
): I'm burning pulled IMR4895 from the 40's or 50's in my 308, 30-06 and 223. Works Great.
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Quoted:
10 year old powder is not old powder. I've got Unique from the 70's and 700x from the 80's that is still as good as the day I bought it This...I have some 4831 that is almost 30 years old...still chronos as good as the first day that I bought it... I am still using some 25+ year old Unique...still in the paper cylinder type one pound canister... |
| Thanks Troops for all the input and info. Guess I'll get a couple of kegs each along with some of the large pistol primers. Kind of thought the powder would be OK since I used shotgun shells in 16 guage that was about that old. Better safe (and ask the experts) than sorry. Thanks again. |
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you should be good to go. This is the return email I got from Accurate powders
John, This powder hail from the late 80’s. It was initial designation for the powder currently called A-2230. However, if the typical signs of de-composition (see below) are not present all is fine. The typical signs of unstable powder that is breaking down/de-composition. Ø Yellow-/brown-/orange-ish fumes and deposits. Ø Strong Acidic smell that takes breath away (not to be confused with the normal solvent smell.) Ø Any rusting of metal objects close to the powder. Modern smokeless powders (if stored under reasonable conditions) have a shelf life of 30+years. Regards Johan Loubser Ballistician Ramshot/Accurate Powders |
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