Thread: Powder: How old is too old?

It's not so much age so much affecting powders viability as the storage conditions. Appropriately stored it can last decades. I know a handloader in Dubai who was gifted some Egyptian ammo more than 100 years old. Broke it all down and kept the (extruded ) powder which he still uses today. It's perfect.
Generally, powder is remarkably stable but in some situations can go off. Happened to me once with a 1 lb plastic container of V140 ( IIRC ). Opened the bottle and saw reddy / orange granules and a wee puff of very sharp smelling dust rose straight up into my nostrils and left me gasping for a few seconds. I dumped it pretty smartly.