Buying/Using 8lb Cans of Powder and Lifespan

[raider1v1]

I was told by some people that as soon as you open a can of powder it starts to absorb water and in turn will be less effective.

1. is that true?
2. would it be possible to buy an 8lb container and put a desiccant package inside/on the lid to keep out water?

Currently its stored in a cabinet in a basement that has pretty low humidity. Id like to buy the 8lb cans vs the 1lb for cost and less hassle finding them.

 

[David S]

Hi raider1v1,

IMO a simple, cheap-o dry dessicant pack or two can fix that, no problem. Amazon sells them for pennies a pop.

Yours,

David

 

[waste_knot]

Heat is probably the biggest factor. Sunlight is the second. I don't think nitrocellulose/DTN powders absorb much moisture. I'm still shooting some Norma 1010 power which they stopped producing in 1960. Shoots like ww231 in a 45 ACP. I also have some 4895 from the 70's that making the "Red death dust" when you open the can.
This is from a SAAMI brochure.
"Although modern smokeless powders contain stabilizers and are
basically free from deterioration under proper storage conditions"
http://www.saami.org/specifications.../download/SAAMI_ITEM_200-Smokeless_Powder.pdf

 

[oldgrayone]

Be sure to put the lid back on the jug before you take it in the shower with you and you will be fine. As stated above heat is the worse enemy then light and moisture. I have had some of the old cardboard 4 pounders of Dot powders last over 10 years.

 

[fnbrowning]

FYI: Many of Alliant's heirlooms powders like Unique are stored underwater to keep it fresh. When they need to re-animate it, they dry it out, etc. They are able to test burn rates to match new with old.

Black powder is actually made wet then dried. If it gets exposed to water later on it can be dried out and used again so long as it wasn't too damaged by impurities in the water.

 

[raider1v1]

awesome thanks guys. thats what was stopping me from buying the 8lb's vs the 1lb now that i found some powders that i like.

 

[bohem]

A friend of my dad gifted me the remnants of a cardboard can of BlueDot from back when Hercules owned it, the stuff was c. 1975

It burned slower than my c.2009 jug but that was a known issue with the switch to Alliant owning it. It still shot great and I actually wish I could find more of the old stuff because I got such great velocities from it out of my 10mm.

Heat, light, then a far third would be moisture.

I have 8lb'rs that I bought in 2002 when I turned 18, it took me all of college, grad school and a year into my career before I burned it up 7 years later. The stuff shot great the entire time.