Imr powder in metal cans still good?

[Tac-O]

I have someone requesting a powder trade and they're offering imr powder that's in metal cans.

I'm wondering if there would still be just as good as new mfg powder if they're unopened? Does it deteriorate in an unopened metal can? I would assume it would be a gamble...

 

[Mark M.]

The storage conditions are everything, if properly stored, in a dry cool place, should not be an issue

 

[Rick Richard]

When in doubt throw it out. Not worth the risk since it is too difficult to determine stability. Just my opinion.

 

[Plinker147]

I would hesitate to trade for it unless your real confident in your source. I have some in metals can and it is fine but I know its whole history. I'm thinking they haven't used metals cans in around 12-15 yrs?

 

[jimbires]

you have to watch for rust from the metal can . I have some powder from way back that got rusty . other cans were just fine , so I dumped the good powders in empty plastic powder cans .

 

[Triple BB]

I have some powder in metal cans that I bought 20 years ago and never opened. Been sitting in my reloading closet. Look just like they came off the shelf...

 

[Gunpowder]

I wouldn't be concerned if the can looks good, especially from a dry climate. I've got a few old cans from the 90's that still look great, powder smells like powder. Heck I don't consider the 90's all that long ago though lol.

The other side of it are the advancements newer powders have in temp stability etc that older stuff won't.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Storage conditions over those years are everything. If I couldn't inspect the powder before the trade I would pass on it.

 

[jimbires]

I'll guess my rusty can of IMR4198 is from the early 1980's . the can is labeled "Dupont" , not IMR like the other can of IMR4198 .

look at the prices on the cans too . $10.00 and $9.75

 

[xsn10s]

I wouldn't be concerned if the can looks good, especially from a dry climate. I've got a few old cans from the 90's that still look great, powder smells like powder. Heck I don't consider the 90's all that long ago though lol.

The other side of it are the advancements newer powders have in temp stability etc that older stuff won't.

Same here. I have IMR powders that I bought in the late 80's early 90's that I stored inside. Except for the dust on the cans it looks like the day I bought it.

 

[xsn10s]

They say powder that's gone bad smells "acrid".

 

[Will Gray]

The cans are more valuable than the powder. Collectors love them. I am not a collector: have enough "stuff" already.

 

[Mike Matteson]

I am getting ready to move and come across some Herco powder in the old paper round container. Still have some powder in it. It smell good, it had to be 40 years old, but put the powder out on the ground and lighted it off. It burned quickly. I feel it was probable still good, but I don't use it anymore. After that my thinking was I should have saved it. To Bad, To Bad.

 

[Tac-O]

I looked at the cans and they were old and a bit rusty, marked Dupont. So I passed