How long does powder stay good

[bankwalker]

Title says it all. I bought some pyrodex Rs when I first bought everything. It's half gone already from trying different bullets and powder loads.
I have a second 16oz thing of the pyrodex rs powder that came with the original muzzleloader that was given to me to use...it's old though, still has a metal cap and $10.99 price tag.
Also I was given 16oz thing of Goex ffg powder that's about half full. I was told this powder was amazing stuff and should use it....but again it's old.

Will these powder still be good.

Also I have a think of rws n-1075 caps that are equally as old. Those still good?
I refused to try this stuff at the moment until I know they are good or not.

Thanks

[ghosthunter]

I think it will stay good a long while as long as it is kept dry and cool.
I have several containers of Prodex and Thiple 777.  Went to the range and shot several hours no problem they are three or four years old.

On another note I had some pyrodex pellets floating around in little container loose. Left over from speed loaders from last year. Tried to shoot them no dice.
I think it was because the dark ends had got beat up rattling around in the loose container.

[hollymaster]

Should be good as long as it has been kept dry.

[bankwalker]

Perfect. Gotta love saving money and not having to buy more powder.

[Marcoramius]

I think I still have half a can of Ball C2 from the mid 70's that my step dad passed down to me with his old Lee Loaders in the late 80's. Although I think it would probably work just fine, I'm pretty sure it will stay right where it is and never be used again 

[T-Bone]

I had your same concern with a can of Pyrodex RS Select that I've had a LONG time; so I called the manufacturer and a very nice man told me, "Virtually forever; kept in the original container; away from moisture and temperature extremes".

I have yet to have a misfire.

[PyroBlack]

You won't find out how good / how contaminated that old jug of Pyrodex is, not until you shoot it. Once it does get moisture-contaminated thou, it loses power-punch and ability to ignite more easily.

That Goex given to you is a different creature. It (real blackpowder) can recover 100% from getting moisture in it.

(in my opinion) Real Black is a better / smarter purchase than Pyrodex, which rusts bores quicker than Real Black. Any real blackpowqder ignites more easily than Pyrodex. To clarify that statement, Pyrodex pellets have real blackpowder on the ignition-side of their pellets, to enhance ignition.