Black powder shelf life?

Forestwalker · #1 01-10-2005, 11:54 AM

If properly stored, whats' the shelf life of pyrodex and black powder? How long be degrading of ballistics is noticed?

Thakks guys, this is the best site, I've come across in a long, long time.

Adam Helmer · #2 01-10-2005, 12:20 PM

Forestwalker,

Good question and one I had myself that was answered by extensive research. I cannot address Pyrodex, I assume it is akin to smokeless powder in the shelf life category, which is a long time if the cans are tightly sealed and stored under cool, dry conditions. I think the Lyman Black Powder Handbook addresses BP and shelf life; it seems BP will last forever if stored in cool, dry conditions. It seems high heat degrades all propellants, but BP seems to be a hardy sort of stuff that will go 50 or 100 years, per my readings. Bottom line: age does not seem to degrade BP as much as it will smokeless powder stored under the same conditions.

I like your "handle", Forestwalker, and wish you would share how you came up with such a fine name for the Traditional site.(Ok, I wish I had thought of it.) Thanks for posting and, again, welcome here.

Adam

Forestwalker · #3 01-10-2005, 02:02 PM

forestwalker came from what i do, or at least did in the past. I live near (right across the road) from Jefferson National forest. Before my sons(4 and 8ms) were born i hiked or horseback road everywhere in the forest. They are mature virginia hardwood forests, hunting is incredible. Not much time for walking now though, just running to keep up with boys. I hunt bow, rifle and blackpowder seasons, Small and Large game. I am pretty modern when it comes to bow and rifle, but am thinking of only hunting 1800's style from now on, it just got too easy with the modern weapons. Technolgy can cover a multitude of errors.

I have aspirations of doing reenactment or living history stuff too.

thanks for the friendly, front porch conversation.

Ps- I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more from me in the future. Been hunting and camping a lot of years now.

skeet · #4 01-10-2005, 04:44 PM

Don't know about shelf life.. but I was once brought a Civil War Musket to look at. The story was it was used by an ancestor of the owners in the civil war. I checked the bbl and there was something in it. I started taking stuff out of the bbl. When I got done there were 7 full loads in the bbl. Minie ball and powder minie ball and powder etc etc. Don't know how old the powder was but it was at least 50 yrs old...and judging from the bullets etc I think it could have from the Civil war. I loaded a 65 gr charge(looked like 2F) in my TC Hawken...capped it and touched her off. It hit within the margin of error of my new black powder loads.with a 490 round ball. All that powder went off just fine. Still have the minie balls. BTW that gun had probably been used by 4 or 5 generations of kids as a toy. The nipple was peened over from being hit so many times... Just think if it had sparked enough to go off one of those times!!!

Purebred Redneck · #5 02-04-2005, 06:07 PM

Once opened, I don't see a problem a problem keeping the container in your garage or basement for 2 or 3 years.

Gil Martin · #6 02-04-2005, 08:11 PM

I am shooting balckpowder from the 1980s and it works just fine. It has been stored in a closed container in a cool, dry place. All the best...
Gil

eldeguello · #7 02-12-2005, 10:22 AM

If stored in a hermetically sealed container kept in cool, dry conditions, black powder will last forever. If it is possible to prevent the entry of moisture into its' container, Pyrodex might do the same. However, I have had Pyrodex in the original container, that was stored right next to cans of BP, start clumping and losing energy after a year or so. I thought the lids were all securely closed, but some moisture must have entered somehow!

rattus58 · #8 02-12-2005, 05:32 PM

According to Goex, shelf life is essentially unlimited with black powder, and even more so today, were the hydroscopic ability of the powder is less than 1/2 1 percent of moisture.

Aloha...

Lilred · #9 02-13-2005, 01:17 PM

I've shot Pyrodex that I know is at least 5 yrs old..lmao..
I bought that big ole bottle one heck of a long time ago..just fer kicks, put it in the loader this year..first hit..**boom!**
I always kept the lid tight, and it sat in my gunrack ferever.
I had over 1/2 bottle left, dern sure wont gonna waste it!