Is there a black powder shelf life ???

[ToothPick]

I just returned from a estate sale with 4lbs of powder and was wondering if it is OK to use.

I would think so, but I'm not sure.

The cans were stored inside, when I unscrewed the tops there was no funky odors.

There are two full 4f cans and one almost full 3f.

They are the red and white DuPont cans..the 4th can was smokeless Herc 2400.

The Tags read $2.25...what years was BP $2.25 a lb?

Thanks

JIM

 

[user 2647]

Back in the early seventies powder was close to that price I think.(been way to long ago) As long as the cans were sealed tight and didn't draw moisture the powder should be fine.

 

[Stubert]

I have GOEX that is from the early 70s Still shoots fine.

 

[sundog]

I am shooting some dupont 1F and 2F bought back in the 1970s. Good stuff, works just fine.

 

[ravenousfishing]

I posted a similar question in the fall and got the same answers with one addition. Make sure what is IN the can,is what it says ON the can, especially the smokeless stuff.

 

[Black Powder]

I have a couple of cans that I got in 1982, that are still good. B. P.

 

[Galen Futtrell]

GearHart Owen black powder, 1959. 3f still burns great.Hope this will help. :thumbsup:

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I have a can of 3f dupont that was given to me by the man who bought it in early 60's and it is ok and shoots great! :thumbsup:

 

[jtmattison]

Is there a black powder shelf life ???

Yes, but nobody has lived long enough to figure out exactly how long it is.

:wink:

HD

 

[paulvallandigham]

Toothpick: I just saw a piece on TV about a recovery of cannons that went down with a pirate ship almost 400 years ago. The powder, both in the cannon, and powder found in barrels that were also recovered, would still fire.

So, realistically, Black Powder has no shelf life. :thumbsup:

 

[lightsky]

I have some 2f from the augusta powder mill in augusta ga cir 1860's.
it shoots right along with new goex,so i don't think bp has a shelf life as long as you keep it dry.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

if it's kept dry it will last until some fool gets a red-hot spark too close to it and then Kabooey! :haha:

 

[Mulebrain]

Just watch Tom Dickey! He was the leading collector of Civil War Ordnance. What a funny guy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SsBnlgAXkc[/youtube]

 

[50cal.cliff]

Just watch Tom Dickey! He was the leading collector of Civil War Ordnance. What a funny guy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SsBnlgAXkc[/youtube]

"Funny guy" I am not sure that's the words I would have used to describe Tom Dickey!
There is a couple of cool videos at the bottom of under the video you posted, that pop up after the video is finished! One about collecting at the old fort is good!