How long does black powder stay good?

[Craig]

Does black powder stay good forever as long as no moisture does not get to it? I have some black powder pellets from last year, they look fine and have been in their case in the garage. Should they be fine or would you buy new ones?

[Chesapeake]

Hard to say and maybe I'm not a good one to answer.

If it was loose powder in a screw top type container that one could expect to have a seal I'd say its good.

But with the pellets in a snap close container that has no real attempt at a seal I'd be leary.

Also I dont use pellets becasue they can get moist and they still look and feel normal. They just fizzle when you fire them. With loose powder its bean my experience that if it looks and feels dry, it works fine.

I use a sharpy marker and mark all my old stuff with a big P. This stuff is used for practice. Its pretty darn rare that I have a failure on the range, so maybe I'm just too picky.

[ing]

I've been using the same box of Pyrodex pellets for 3 years now and have never had any problems. I do keep them in a muzzleloading dry box, that helps out alot I'm sure.

[HUNT-HARD]

Same here I have used the same box for five years now. I don't even take the pellets ot of my speed loaders. Still fire just fine for me. I would try it though before you go out in the field. Would suck to miss fire on a big buck or bull.

[Hangfire]

Do you have black powder, or synthetic black powder pellets?  I have real black powder that I bought in the 70's. It is stored in a out building where I presume it freezes every year. I have never failed to have it preform as it should. I don't know what the life is as long as it is dry.

[carpsniperg2]

if stored right years. i shoot enough, i buy a new can of powder each year.

[GEARHEAD]

I just started shooting my muzzy, which has been on the wall for maybe 17 years. i'm using Goex black powder which i have had just as long. so far, even using the original 17 year old #11 caps, its fired 100% . powder stored in a closet all that time.

[h2ofowlr]

I have about 10lbs of FFG that I have had since the 80's.  I shot it the other day and it worked great.  Keep it dry and it could last forever.

[Skyvalhunter]

30.465 days

[Dan-o]

Chemically pretty stable if you keep it dry.   It will last for years and years.

[KLRKeith]

Unlimited if kept dry and out of the sun/rain/humidity, etc.

[spotter26]

i have been using the same powder for 10+ years and never have had a problem. I aalso have pellets that are at least 4 years old and they shoot fine as well.