old powder

[brubincam]

-----had my 58 loaded with 80 gr. goex 3f in November for deer hunting--didn't get a shot so I kept it loaded till about 3 weeks ago--pulled the ball and powder--dumped the powder out of the barrel onto the pick nick table--forgot about it--stayed on the table through the rain and wind--found it the other day--it was hard and not too good looking--layed it on a paper towel then lit the towel--when the flame got to the powder it ignited just fine----- :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:

 

[bingo1952]

I once left a 12 gauge loaded for 4 years (other interests got in the way) and when I capped it to empty it about 3 months ago both barrels went with out any problems at all. If powder is kept dry it really has an indefinite shelf life. I have fired several 45-70 rounds from the 19th century and they worked fine also. That was when I was much younger and quite a bit more ignorant of their possible collector value. The cases were also balloon heads.