Old Powder Worth Keeping?

[Behyot]

I have a question due to lack of experience on my side, I have done some reloading myself but only using my dad's supplies and equipment. About 5 years ago I purchased a few rifles from a family friend that had belonged to his father, and with them he gave me all of the reloading supplies he had from him. I haven't paid much attention to any of it and have always assumed I'd likely never use it since it's so old but thought it would be fun to hang onto in case I get time to explore it all some day. There is a reloading notebook in there with pages dated 1975, so that is my assumption for the approximate age of everything.

I got curious today about some of the items so went through some of the boxes, and unfortunately when I lifted one of the boxes it crumbled on me and 2 containers of powder fell out all over the floor. There are a few more tubes that stayed in the box but the tops of them have deteriorated so they have been exposed to the air for who knows how long.

The powder is Hodgdon 4831 (see attached pictures), does anyone have any input on if this stuff would still be good when it hasn't been stored properly? Also, is it worth trying to save some of it that is in a pile on my concrete floor or would most recommend getting rid of it? I am thinking I'll just find a safe way to dispose of everything that has spilled, but it's probably close to 2 pounds worth so I thought maybe it's worth keeping for something.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[FLIGHT762]

I have some of that same WWII H-4831 powder, but my powder had been stored properly, was still sealed securely and I have been using it. Down to my last 1.5#. Still accurate in a 300 Win. Mag. with low S/D- E/S.

I've used a lot of very old powders and as long as they are still showing the grey color and still smell ok without showing any red dust they have worked fine.

I have had a few #'s of powder that did go bad, had an acidic smell and red dust. Those powders were destroyed. When you smell bad powder, you will know.

Your powder might still be good, but if you don't want to take any chances, you can scrap it.

 

[Downtown]

Easiest way to dispose of old powder, assuming you don't want to play with it in a outside firepit, is to spread it on the lawn where it just becomes fertilizer.

 

[Downtown]

I recently sold some really old powder containers to the local "antique" (junk) store. Got good money for them. I was told old graphics and labels are hot now.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

Give it the sniff and colour test. It should look and smell like powder - if either is off, just dump it in the wife's flower bed. You'll know when you crack them.

 

[Foul Mike]

I regularly shoot old powder that has been stored right. It works just fine.

I don't think yours was stored right. Good fertilizer, if original packing container isn't in place in reasonably good condition I would approach with caution and I don't mean it has to look new, allow for age.
If it breaks apart, I hope you have pretty flowers next year.
I have pretty flowers.

 

[Behyot]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I'm going to hang onto the stuff that didn't spill on the floor and see if I can use it someday, it smells fine and looks normal to me. What I cleaned up off the floor is full of dirt and bits of deteriorated cardboard so I'll just use it for firestarter