Goes FF life

[rusticbob]

I just picked up a can of Goex from a local gent who went to an unmentionable. He gave me an
unopened can of Goex FFG, metal can, has a date stamp of 1987. Is it still usable? Could it be dangerous? I think it would probably be fine, but I would like input from those of you who might have more experience.

 

[david w]

Black powder has no expiration date. I have a couple of cans from the early 70's, and the powder is still good. You could give it to me and not sweat it!!!

 

[Grenadier1758]

@rusticbob, it could be dangerous. I could take care of it for you.

The danger would be to what you are shooting. Black powder is very stable and does not deteriorate over time. Use it as you would use GOEX made in 2020.

 

[Rod Man]

Gonna shoot some tin can Goex today as a matter of fact.

RM

 

[TreeMan]

It’s as good today as it was the day it was made. I have a few cans from the early 70s.

 

[nightwolf1974]

I once read an article where a crew putting in a road down in Georgia in the 80s found close to 500 lbs. of black powder buried by Confederate soldiers. They called in the local police who called the State Police, the State Police bomb disposal unit carefully removed the powder and took it to an old gravel pit to dispose of. They kept and tested some of the powder, that was still usable.

 

[Steve Martin]

That's one of the great things about BP, it last practically forever if stored properly.

 

[Jim]

Many years ago I read (wish I could remember where) of some people . . . .kids, I think . . ..that had scuba dived on an old British shipwreck in the shallows of Lake Champlain.

They had found some kegs of black powder on the wreck, took it ashore, spread out some on cheesecloth, covered it with more cheesecloth and let the sun dry it out.

It ignited just fine . . .like it was manufactured yesterday!

 

[oldwood]

Once at an antique m/l show , I saw an antique can of Pre-Goex era FFG BP. I bought the can for the almost one pound of powder in it. It still shook when tried. Went to the range , and saw no difference in it , from current GOEX. Shot perfectly.

 

[rusticbob]

Wow, that is all great to hear. I have had old percussion caps that failed at an inopportune time, cost me a deer. Did not want to make the same mistake with powder.
That is what makes this forum so valuable to me, good solid information without the sales pitch.
Thank you all for the responses.

 

[EC121]

Because blackpowder is a mechanical mixture of three stable chemicals, there isn't anything to degrade or react. Some of those cheap caps might not be sealed and react with moisture over time.

 

[deermanok]

I shot some old Goex 3f just this morning. If I recall correctly, it's at least 15 years old.

 

[painter]

I shot some of this today.

Worked great!

 

[tom_in_vt]

Load her up!

 

[ohio ramrod]

As long as black powder is kept dry, and not exposed to temps higher than 150 F It remains just as manufactured.

 

[deerstalkert]

i found this in the back of one of my outbuildings some time ago. I vaguely remember getting it 35-40 years ago from a friend. the cap is the thumb press in the middle type. made prior to 1964 as there is no zip code.

it still shoots as good as anything made yesterday.

 

[david w]

I have powder stored in my outside shed with no temperature or humidity control. My oldest powder is Goex ffg date stamped 1981. I just now filled the pan in my flintlock to test it. Test subject, .62 Early Hawkins full stock, L&R lock. I sparked it off fist try with an English flint. I guess it's still good.

 

[david w]

i found this in the back of one of my outbuildings some time ago. I vaguely remember getting it 35-40 years ago from a friend. the cap is the thumb press in the middle type. made prior to 1964 as there is no zip code.View attachment 123381
it still shoots as good as anything made yesterday.View attachment 123382

Just think what you get at auction for that can!

 

[stikshooter]

I just picked up a can of Goex from a local gent who went to an unmentionable. He gave me an
unopened can of Goex FFG, metal can, has a date stamp of 1987. Is it still usable? Could it be dangerous? I think it would probably be fine, but I would like input from those of you who might have more experience.

Maybe still good in your great/great grand kids life ,no problem in yours!/Ed

 

[59sharps]

I just picked up a can of Goex from a local gent who went to an unmentionable. He gave me an
unopened can of Goex FFG, metal can, has a date stamp of 1987. Is it still usable? Could it be dangerous? I think it would probably be fine, but I would like input from those of you who might have more experience.

Don’t listen to anyone on here send it to me. Ill test it and let you know if it was alright to use.