[huntswithdogs]

Guys,
I started to load some 308 shells yesterday and didn't have but a little powder left in my can of IMR3031. After scrounging around I found a full & unopened can that my dad bought almost 15 years ago. I went ahead and loaded the shells with it. 45grs of IMR3031 behind a 130 gr hornady bullet. This load shoots VERY well out of my Rem 788. The question I'm asking is this...Is this powder ok? It didn't have any bad smells or discolorations and the can was still sealed tight. I started thinking about this today and figured I'd ask for an opinion before shooting any of these. I know that burn rates and pressures could be different than the last(newer)can and I don't want to harm myself or the gun.

 

[8pointduck]

With the parameters you have stated, I ddon't see why the powder would be bad. If it had been a used bottle then I'd probably say don't use it ,but being sealed and not having any pungentsmell or discoloring it should be ok

 

[tony kosinski]

if your powders are going bad they will have an acidic smell and turning a rusty color. i have been using some H-4831 that was bought 25 yrs. ago and it's still working fine just watch your storing and it will be fine..tony

 

[huntswithdogs]

Guys,
Thanks for your replies on this matter. I got around to trying these rounds this weekend. Seeings as how I'm typing this,THE GUN DIDN"T GO BOOOOM!
With this powder my 308 shot about 2 inches right, but dead on. 8 little clicks and she's back where she belongs. The primers were a little flatter than normal but nothing to get upset about. I did notice that this can of powder burns dirty. Push a jag thru it and YUCK!!! Black residue almost like cleaning a black powder rifle. I only loaded 20 of them and shot 12 yesterday. If the remaining 8 shells don't get me thru deer season,I've got problems. I try not to miss often but ithas happened once or twice or..... I'll probably get new can soon and throw this one away.


HWD

 

[tony kosinski]

don't throw it away .spread it around your grass and water it in..works great and no worry about where it ends up..tony

 

[Clayslayer]

Powder will keep indefinately. I recently loaded up an old cardboard can of Red Dot that had to have been older than I was. The stuff shot just fine.