Shelf life of 777

[BobinIL]

Our local department store has just put 777 pellets on sale for $18.00 a box.  I have a real urge to stock up but do not know if it would be worth while to keep the powder around for 2 or 3 years.  I know that Pyrodex deteriorates rather quickly. what about 777?  also how do I know if the 777 they have on sale is not old stock that is already a couple of years old.  Can you look up the lot number to determine manufacture dates?

[jh45gun]

All I know is I am going back to black powder due to the shelf life issues of many of the substitutes plus other reasons such as the crud ring ect.  I know with Black Powder I will not have any of those issues and the guns have to be cleaned no matter powder you use as if they are not corrosive they are hydroscopic and attrack moisture so either way you should clean the guns right away. So I am going back to black powder.

[Redhawk1]

I have some loose triple 7 that I bought from when it first came out, shoots as well as anything I have recently bought.

[jh45gun]

I have some loose triple 7 that I bought from when it first came out, shoots as well as anything I have recently bought.

Yea Me too I am using up the last of it. I like the way it cleans up but hate the crud ring.  I want to try some Goex Cartridge in my muzzle loaders I hear it burns clean (for black anyway) and at 17 dollars a pound is 6 to 7 dollars a pound cheaper than 777 or Amercan Pioneer or Pinnicle.

[BobinIL]

Update,
I called Hodgdon and asked them.  They said that the shelf life of 777 is indefinate as long as the powder has not been exposed to moisture.  He said the same thing holds true for pyrodex.  He could not get me a manufacture date for my powder lot number without contacting the factory.

[coop2564]

I had some pellets T7 that I left outside with top open while shooting in my rifle.  It came a very heavy dew that night saw them the next morning they were discolored half way down the pellet on the top rows that were exposed to the moisture.  2 days later took them to the gun shop he said I shouldn't use them, but offered for me to try them through his chronograph we saw no differents in velocity other than the normal 25 fps or so that you normally see between shots, I continued to use the box and finished it off last season it was 3 yrs old at that time.

[BobinIL]

I recon I better go back to that store and pick up another 3 or 4 boxes at $18.00 a box 

[Redhawk1]

I recon I better go back to that store and pick up another 3 or 4 boxes at $18.00 a box 

I go to Wal-Mart at the end of every hunting season and pick up triple 7 powder for $8.00 a pound. I have 10 pounds. 

[AndyHass]

777 lasts at least 2-3 years by my experience....pyrodex I could never trust more than 1 year.

[jh45gun]

777 lasts at least 2-3 years by my experience....pyrodex I could never trust more than 1 year.

Thats why I decided to go back to black I would rather spend a few more moments cleaning and have a powder I know will last for years if taken care of.

[S.S.]

I have Pyrodex That is YEARS AND YEARS old and it still functions
perfectly. I have 777 that was bought when it first came
on the market and it too functions perfectly. I have Black powder
that was produced in 1984 and no problems there either.
I have never had a problem from shelf life on Powder at all,
but I buy percussion caps every couple of years because I think
(from my experience with them) that they do become weak.
Keep your powder in a dry place that does not change much temperature
wise and it will last just fine.