I got some old H4831 that a guy had stored in a gallon lacquer thinner can for many years. Smells fresh and has no sign of deterioration (dusty it is not). However I put the pound or so of it I got into a Hodgens pound powder canister, the plastic kind of recent make. In two months when I looked for it to load some it had rusted the lid almost thru and a lot of rust was growing on it. I loded some of it on my 7MM RM and it shoots just fine, 3 shot groups under an inch out of my rifle using 140 gr. Ballistic Tips. I put the rest of the powder in a mason jar and it too has rusted the lid pretty badly after only a month or so. I had cleaned the 7MM RM and there is no sign of rust in it's bore. What do any of you think of this?

I bought a pound of the new H4831 in the late 70s and it also rusted everything that was steel that was close to the can. The ammo that I had loaded with it also started to deteriorate and corrode. Case necks split. I finally fired the 300 wm a few months ago and they still fired. I tore down the 270 wby to salvage the bullets and gave the powder to the recyclers on their pick up day. So if you have anything loaded with it I would either shoot it or tear it down to save the brass. The powder also looked like it had a small amount of oil mixed in as the powder stuck together.

Rad

I'd dump it if I were you.

Shot it all up quick. roger

It does form clumps on top of the powder. I think I'll give it back to the guy I got it from. I'll also shoot the 17 rounds of ammo I have loaded with it.

If I had that powder ,before I gave it back I would put about 200 grains in about 4 oz. of water over night and than in the morning measure the acidity with litmus paper. Than pour the contents on a fine mesh T-shirt, spread it out and let it dry in the sun. When absolutly dry I would load a couple cartridges on the mild side and try them. But than that's just my curious mind at play. roger

Oh! Wash the T-shirt before you ware it again.