Will I know when my powder has "gone bad"?

[hardertr]

I've been toting around a couple of pounds of powder for a couple of years now, and plan to hold onto it for a couple more (until I can get back into reloading).  I've kept the lids tight, but havent' stored it anywhere special.  It has been in the house, to there has been no drastic temperature changes.

Will I be able to tell if the powder is still "good" just by looking at it?  I've fired some of rounds my granpa had in a box that were EASILY 20+ years old, and they all fired fine...should powder in a closed can last as long?  Should I just dispose of it and start over when it's time?

[stimpylu32]

You will not be able to tell by looking but the smell will be diffrent , as far as time limits , i have some that is over 25 years old and still works as well as it did the day i got it .

I got it for one load in one rifle that i only shoot about 20 rounds a year if that . someday i may need to replace it but it shoots so well i can't bring myself to pitch it .

stimpy

[Reed1911]

open the lid and smell it, now if it smells like ether or paint thinner don't worry about it. If it smells like you just snorted a lit propane torch in the nose (i.e. burning acid smell) then it's going bad and you need to toss it.

[iiranger]

There was one batch of 4895 made for a large nastiness called WW II where they skipped the final "washings" to save time and get it to the troops (wave flag if this were a movie) and left some acids in the powder... They thought it would be used soon and storage would not be a concern. THEN the war ended. It was not all used. And some got sold surplus. And the old wives tales got started. The extra acid caused deterioration. Red dust formed. It was not a good preformer. Only good for fertilizer and high N, with little "P" or "K"...

If your powder smells "good" like nail polish remover (non-oily preferred, but both have lots of acetone) or starting fluid (ether and hexane often... you will smell the ether)... NO PROBLEMS. If the powder smells "bad" like vinegar (acetic acid) then you look for red dust in the powder and if you find it, or lots of rust inside the can... Powder is very high in nitrogen and makes a fair fertilizer for the yard. Little strong for the garden, but you could use it in the compost. Don't waste it, but DON'T shoot it. Poor preformance.

Otherwise, if the powder is stored in conditions you could/would live in... it should last indefinitely. The old IMR powders were known to absorb some water from humidity and this could alter exact weight of charges. Double base ball powders have a coating and are often stored (in large supplies) UNDER water. (Reduces the fire insurance a bunch or so says Col. Nonte.)

You need, as in all reloading questions, to use judgement. Does it preform consistently? Keep using it. If it is less reliable... there is always the yard/garden... luck, happy trails.