Non-black powder storage life

[RedFeather]

Kind of paralleling the thread on storing black powder. Got a couple jars of Pyrodex that are about 18 years old. Was going to fertilize the lawn with them this Spring, but was wondering if the stuff would be any good for just plinking. One is a bottle of Cartridge (used to have a rolling block that I never got around to reloading for). Anyone ever try that loose in a muzzle loader? Wonder what it's supposed to be equal to, F-wise?

 

[Norskie]

Pyrodex that old would be questionable, but should be fine for plinking. A lot of the subs need to kept from moisture. Have you tried it, yet?
I've never looked at cartridge grade, so I don't know the granulation equivalent. Can't see why it wouldn't at least go boom in a ML.
Moose

 

[john12865]

Kind of paralleling the thread on storing black powder. Got a couple jars of Pyrodex that are about 18 years old. Was going to fertilize the lawn with them this Spring, but was wondering if the stuff would be any good for just plinking. One is a bottle of Cartridge (used to have a rolling block that I never got around to reloading for). Anyone ever try that loose in a muzzle loader? Wonder what it's supposed to be equal to, F-wise?

Wouldn't have a reason to keep such around. The rumor was that it's highly corrosive,will rot your barrel out and difficult to clean, so I always stuck with BP. :grin:

 

[bramble]

Redfeather,
This summer I broke out some Pyrodex that was probably pushing 20 years old (long story, but I'm shooting a little more regularly now). It did fine. Storage had been with my other ammo, no particular sealing, but it was kept dry.


bramble

 

[RedFeather]

Thanks. One jar was partially used and the other unused but still had the seal broken by the dopes in the shop I ordered it from. They were curious as to whar it looked like. :cursing: (Felt like asking if they were married and could I meet the wife.......you know, just to see what it was like. ) Guess I will take some of each and touch a small batch off on some foil or something non-flammable.

As to the corrosive qualities, I wash em down promptly as soon as I get home. Haven't had a problem yet, but I think I will go with Goex for the next batch of fodder.

 

[Robert an saa fan]

There was a Pyrodex shortage way back when the Pyrodex plant blew up killing Dan Pawlek (sp) the inventor of Pyrodex,

At that time I had extra cans of Cartridge grade Pyrodex. It was a bit coarser than Pyrodex rifle. I used it in my .44 cap & ball revolvers way back then and it worked o.k. for plinking.

I had been using Cartridge to load .45 Colt for a very early 1880's Colt SA. This was o.k. per the Pyrodex factory cartridge loading information.

If anything, the powder would probably lose power over time, NOT gain it.

Just proceed with caution, test some as you mentioned and start with light loads.

 

[paulvallandigham]

For what it is worth, someone told me that Triple Seven loses power after the can has been opened for a couple of months. I don't have any to test, so you are going to have to talk to someone who is using the stuff.