I used to do a bit of loading for several calibers but I haven't done much in the last 7 years (I was busy for a few years working and going to school full time). I have been shooting during that time but just not loading my own ammo.I still have quite a bit of powder and primers from then. I have been having the desire to do some loading lately and when I checked it seems like the things that I need are hard to find due to the panic so I was wondering what the shelf life on these things may be. Any gerneral ideas? They have been my garage which gets hot in the Houston summers. Thanks
Primers should be fine. Powder---maybe. High heat can cause problems. Look at it, smell it. If it doesn't seem right dump it. Makes good fertilizer.
Welcome mrappe and let me be the first to say I don't have a clue what you're looking for but , none-the-less, welcome to the forum! I'm sure someone with this info will be glad to jump in and help. Got any Colt 1911 questions?
It is unlikely there is any problem with your "old" powder and primers. I still have a little H-4831 WWII surplus and some mix of primers from the late 60s that all work just fine.
If the powder has been sealed, smell it. If it has a nasty acidic smell dump it on the St. Augustine. A solvent smell is normal. When in doubt, I'll take it off your hands next time I get to H-town.
Humidity can be a problem with primers. You can put the primers in a sealed ammo can with several desicant packs. Leave it sealed for a couple of weeks. Load a few test rounds with a sampling of the primers and shoot em. If they are 100%, go ahead and load them up. I would not necessarily use them for anything but target practice ammo.
Use them up the worst they could be is "not as efficient". Still fun to shoot! Trigger time is happy time!
