I have some black powder that is over 25 years old. It is one pound cans of Goex; 4F, 3F, and 2F. For the past ten years I've stored it in my garage which is subjected to Michigan temperature changes; up to 90 degrees in summer and as low as zero-ish in winter.

I'm about to enter into a period of black-powder cartridge reloading. Should I fertilize my lawn with this stuff and buy some new powder?

It should be just fine. If it has gotten moisture in it, it will be hard caked.

Unlike Smokless propellant black powder can be stored (literally) for centuries.

All you have to do is keep it dry.

I have a couple of cans of black powder that were made in
the late 60's.

Stuff still works... but it takes me forever to use up FFFg
as I only actually use it in my 32cal Remington revolver.

AllanD

The 3F and 2F appears to be fine. The 4F was lumpy so it became fertilizer.

There is no old GOEX.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

Allan, sounds to me like you need to buy a 50 ml, just to burn up the powder you have accumulated....

Matt any lumpy black powder ! all you need is a wooden bowl and a wood rounded dowell and regrind it , I got a bowl and pestol at a flee market works perfect for $4.00 bucks , I only purchase 3F powder then grind my own 4F for flint locks , been doing this since 1970 Concho

Matt: The given advice is good. I will add that Black Powder is a mixture of components and will be explosive as long as it is dry. As a data point, occansionally someone will dig up a civil war artillery shell, drill it, and get blown up. As long as the stuff stays dry, it will go boom!

Concerning old powder - early expeditions regularly reported using warm days to sun their powder. They spread it out in the sun to dry it out.
It does not become sensitive or more powerful with age or mishandling.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
Allan, sounds to me like you need to buy a 50 ml, just to burn up the powder you have accumulated....

I'm actually shopping for a 54cal flinter, but I'll be needing some FFg to feed it.

I've already got a couple of cans of FFFFg to prime it.

AllanD