Shelf life or powder and primers

[fistv]

Just curious, what is the shelf life of powder if sealed, when I use a pound I generally use all of it but I'm thinking of stocking up some. Same with primers, they come in unsealed boxes and I normally keep them in a sealed ammo can closed tightly but not locked closed, just a rubber band to keep the lid tight in the event of fire. Maybe use one of those vacum kitchen bags. With the way prices are going I figured getting a 4+ years squirreled away.
Also with the powder is the shelf life changed in any way by using either the metal cans or the plastic ones.

[7Rugers]

I have had some cans of IMR 3031 since the late 1980's and still use it today for my 7mm-08. It seems to work as well today as it did back then. I keep it stored in old empty ammo boxes.

[Warners Surplus]

As long as you store it in a climate controlled, low humidity environment then it will last for many many years. I have purchased OLD cans of powder (I collect the cans) from the 70's that were still sealed and the powder still went POOF went lit with a match. Then on the other hand I purchased a 15yr old 5lb cardboard keg of 2400 and it wouldn't lite with a propane torch.


Rich W.

[fistv]

As long as you store it in a climate controlled, low humidity environment then it will last for many many years. I have purchased OLD cans of powder (I collect the cans) from the 70's that were still sealed and the powder still went POOF went lit with a match. Then on the other hand I purchased a 15yr old 5lb cardboard keg of 2400 and it wouldn't lite with a propane torch.


Rich W.

Isn't 2400 *SUPPOSED* to be slow burning

[tl_3237]

I'm still using up powder and primers that I bought over 40 years ago.

Never had a problem.