Author Topic: Old IMR 4831 Powder  (Read 767 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline jwv

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 90
Old IMR 4831 Powder
« on: March 25, 2008, 05:00:30 PM »
 I have a 1 Lb.can of IMR 4831 powder that I have had since the early 1980's it has always been kept in the storage safe and only recently has it been opened. It still has the smell of a new  can of powder and looks good no rust color or clumps. I know one should not take a chance but I also hate to throw away a good pound of powder if it is usable. Like I say it has always been in a cool dry place. I would be using this in my 25-06.
    Would appreciate any comments on using this or not.  Thanks, Jack
ObamaCare-----When injustice becomes law resistance becomes duty.     Thomas Jefferson

Offline Graybeard

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (69)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 26944
  • Gender: Male
Re: Old IMR 4831 Powder
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2008, 05:09:37 PM »
I won't presume to tell you what you should do but if it were mine I'd use it.


Bill aka the Graybeard
President, Graybeard Outdoor Enterprises
256-435-1125

I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life!

Offline stuffit

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 303
Re: Old IMR 4831 Powder
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2008, 05:19:30 PM »
I second the GB.   I'd use it for my .270 Win's.
 ;)
stuffit
Everybody changes their minds sometimes but a fool and a mule.

Deceased

Offline Hairtrigger

  • Trade Count: (10)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2010
Re: Old IMR 4831 Powder
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2008, 01:36:32 AM »
Just like any new can of powder... be Conservative and work your way up

Offline wncchester

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3856
  • Gender: Male
Re: Old IMR 4831 Powder
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2008, 02:56:38 AM »
In 1965  I and a friend bought a 50# keg of WWII surplus 4831.  What remains of it still works fine.
Common sense is an uncommon virtue

Offline jwv

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 90
Re: Old IMR 4831 Powder
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2008, 03:17:34 AM »
Thanks for the replies. I guess when I seen that old green Walmart price sticker still on the can, it kind of made me think that a can of powder that is probably around 28 to 30 years old could still be usable.The price of factory ammo has done went out of sight, reloading is the only way for me to go and even that is high in cost.      Jack
ObamaCare-----When injustice becomes law resistance becomes duty.     Thomas Jefferson

Offline huntswithdogs

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 999
Re: Old IMR 4831 Powder
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2008, 07:00:23 AM »
I'm using a can of IMR3031 that was bought in the late 70's or early 80's and have another one that's still unopened. I've not had any problems with this can. I've got some Win748 that's in a can I ain't seen for years. I shot some it a couple of weeks ago withno problems either. I reckon it's all in how it's stored.


HWD

Offline SHOOTALL

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 23836
Re: Old IMR 4831 Powder
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2008, 08:01:43 AM »
I had some that is in a metal can , don't know age but the price tag is 8.49 a pound . used it up a couple weeks ago . It wasa can that got behind some stuff and went unnoticed !
If ya can see it ya can hit it !

Offline torpedoman

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2574
  • Gender: Male
Re: Old IMR 4831 Powder
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2008, 07:06:57 PM »
NO NO dont use it i'll pay you what you got in it for that junk. LOL
the nation that forgets it defenders will itself be forgotten

Offline Savage

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4397
Re: Old IMR 4831 Powder
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2008, 01:21:37 PM »
I still have powder that I bought in the 70s. Still using it with consistent results.
Savage
An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile hoping it will eat him last,

Offline calvon

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 274
  • Gender: Male
Re: Old IMR 4831 Powder
« Reply #10 on: March 31, 2008, 04:27:50 PM »
I still have some H 4831 that I bought in the middle sixties (for 52 cents a pound!) and it still works just fine. I live in a dry climate (15 inches total precip per year) and the powder has always been stored in metal cans in a closet in an unheated building. Gunpowder, as you probably know, is quite stable chemically, and under good storage conditions will last longer than you will.