Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ancient Powder

Like others have said, the powder inside the cans will tell the tale. I've been tapping into a huge stash of handloading components accumulated (hoarded) by a child of The Depression who now spends his days reminiscing about his stint in the post-war Army and then working as a ranch hand in Wyoming right after WWII. Some of the powder cans looked exactly like the ones you pictured. Some of them, cans of 4064 made by DuPont in the 60's-70's looked worse. So far, no issues - I've shot a helluva lot of it and in the case of the 4064 I wish I had more of it, my .30-06's love it. There's even about a dozen unopened cans of various Herter's powders from the 60's that I'm very curious about but am a bit leery of only because data for that stuff is a little thin on the ground these days.

All of this hoard was stored in a decidedly un-climate controlled wooden garage, and has suffered three to six decades of wild fluctuations of temperature/humidity which only denizens here on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay will understand. "Store in a cool dry place" warnings were completely ignored by the old gentleman, but knock on wood I haven't encountered any components yet that have gone sour.

As for "who shoots .32-20 anymore?" Well, I do and would surely love to have more components for it. Please keep me in mind if you decide to dispose of it!

Side note: there must be at least half a ton of #9 shot piled out there, the canvas bags rotting and the shot acquiring a lot of oxidation. I've tried reclaiming it by vibratory tumbling with fresh graphite powder mixed in, and that works but is time consuming and I don't shoot skeet anymore. I think I'm better off melting it into ingots instead.

Had this sitting on the shelf for years, found it like this one day, had undergone some sort of reaction, orange stuff bubbled up, ate through the lid, smelled of ammonia.

Had this sitting on the shelf for years, found it like this one day, had undergone some sort of reaction, orange stuff bubbled up, ate through the lid, smelled of ammonia.

Update: I poured out each pound of powder on a white sheet of desk blotter paper, looking for any red/rust dust. Four pounds of IMR4350 and three pounds of IMR3031 all clean. Whoopee!! I didn't check the Norma 200 or the half can of IMR4064, but will if I ever use it. I don't need the Green Dot or Blue Dot, Pyrodex, or any of the black powder, so will probably turn the smokeless into fertilizer. Can the same be done with black powder.

I’ve got two 32/20’s that I load for. A Smith M&P my grandfather bought about 100 years ago and a Ruger Buckeye convertible 😁

Rev, find a group local that shoots BP. they will give you everlasting love for those cans of Holy Black.

I don't need the Green Dot or Blue Dot, Pyrodex, or any of the black powder, so will probably turn the smokeless into fertilizer. Can the same be done with black powder.

Don't waste it, give it all away! GD & BD are fine for shotgun & pistol.

Yeah, I probably wouldn't use that powder.

Dust and smell.


Only ever found bad powder once, and it wasn't real old.



Funny thing about old powder,
Everyone worries if it's bad. "Will it blow up my gun?)
But they will shoot ancient loaded rounds?




I have had bad Remington 243 ammo from the 80s.
Misfires, on inspection, their was corrosion at the bullet and primer edges.
I bought it new, stored in the living area of my homes the whole time.

Update: I poured out each pound of powder on a white sheet of desk blotter paper, looking for any red/rust dust. Four pounds of IMR4350 and three pounds of IMR3031 all clean. Whoopee!! I didn't check the Norma 200 or the half can of IMR4064, but will if I ever use it. I don't need the Green Dot or Blue Dot, Pyrodex, or any of the black powder, so will probably turn the smokeless into fertilizer. Can the same be done with black powder.