gunner40sw Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I have a different kind of question about powder. I have three dillon presses one for loading 40 one for loading 9mm and one for loading 45. I have finally used up-all my 45s so I need to load a bunch more. However I have not used the 45 press in probably 3 years and there has been powder sitting in the powder measure for all that tome. The lid has been on it and it has been covered but do you think the powder has gone bad. Should i just be safe and throw the powder out and start fresh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 If the lid has been on it and you kept the sun off of the measure, load a shoot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I'd try a few, and see if it's okay - with a chronograph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabMan Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Try loading a test batch of, let's say 5 to 10 and see how they perform. I've read that gunpowder manufactured in WW II is still good. So if humidity didn't ruin the powder, then it is still viable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 smell it - does it smell bad ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perttime Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 It is most likely OK if it hasn't seen extreme temperature changes or very high humidity ... but yep, smell it: powder that has "gone bad" gets a pretty distinctive odor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bkreutz Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 10 hours ago, gunner40sw said: I have a different kind of question about powder. I have three dillon presses one for loading 40 one for loading 9mm and one for loading 45. I have finally used up-all my 45s so I need to load a bunch more. However I have not used the 45 press in probably 3 years and there has been powder sitting in the powder measure for all that tome. The lid has been on it and it has been covered but do you think the powder has gone bad. Should i just be safe and throw the powder out and start fresh. The only thing I would be concerned with is moisture absorption, if it's a Dillon powder measure, even if it is capped, there is a vent hole in the cap. Not sure I would trust the smell test (the bad smell everyone is referring to is a sharp acrid smell), powder that has absorbed moisture won't necessarily smell bad but it won't completely burn. Sitting in the powder measure for 3 years..... I'd throw it out down the toilet or in the yard, not enough to fool with. I empty my powder measures if I go on a vacation for a couple of weeks for this reason. Otherwise powder never sits in my press for more than a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunner40sw Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 Thanks for all the info guys I think I will dump the powder and play it safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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