Ghuqu2

I found that I have 2 one pound cans of Unique powder ~12 yrs old. One is open. Date stamps on the bottoms look to be 1995 on the 'new' one and 1993 on the open one. They have been stored in correct cool and dry places and don't smell funny or acidic. Are they safe to use? I called Alliant, since they bought Hercules powders, and they have yet to get back to me. Any ideas?

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"The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us." Patrick Henry 1775

Vegetarian: Indian for inept hunter.

pgrass101

I would have little qalums about useing the closed one. The open one I would load a dozen test rounds in whatever caliber I have that would be easiest for me to remove a squib from.

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geneinnc

if it was kept in a cool storage area, you should be fine. Dry is the key word. Basements are hostile with their tendencacy to hold moisture.

Excellent advice on trying test lots.

If you pass all of the above, you should be fine.

friesepferd

i know plenty of people that have used opened cases of powder from who knows when, and it worked just fine.
just be careful, watch for squibs, etc

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aus71383

I would buy a new can of Unique and make some identical loads from all three cans - shoot them all through a chronograph. If velocities are similar, go ahead. If they're slower or faster than the new stuff, be more cautious - maybe plinking loads only. JMO

Austin

Ram Rod

Gunpowder makes excellent fertilizer. If you can't use it.

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RamRod-----sans remords

P95Carry

I have and have used, even an open powder jug from over 20 years ago!!!

If it has not gone ''off'' and you are prepared to load up a few test rounds then IMO (cheapskate that I am) - I'll use it just for range practice ammo.

I still have some ''Vectan" powder that has to be 23 years old and I ain't yet pitched it LOL (or used it).

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Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

Jeff F

I have two cans of powder that are from late 60's early 70's best I can tell. Price is still on them and it's less than $3 a pound to give you an idea how old they are. When I need that type of rifle powder I use them without any doubts about how it will function. Last time I loaded 22-250's I used the 4320 and still would shoot nice less than 1" hundred yard groups. As long as it's stored properly the shelf life of powder is nearly indefinite.

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Ghuqu2

Thanks for the info. I'm a cheapskate so I don't want to waste money, but I don't want to a buck to destroy a gun or blow off a hand.

__________________
"The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us." Patrick Henry 1775

Vegetarian: Indian for inept hunter.

frankmako

i have used some that i got in 1981. it worked like it was new. i keep mine in the factory can contained inside a army 40mm ammo can.

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An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.