I purchased a 1970's Zouave that came with 20lbs of ffg and fffg black powder that has been sealed in a .50 Cal ammo can since 1977!!! I've never run into this before. Is 34 year old powder safe to use? If not, how do I dispose of it safely?... and legally? ANY & ALL advise is GREATLY appreciated. THNX!!! Rocky Higginbotham
Should be fine for use. As long as it has been kept dry, use it like brand new powder.
Edwin Flint
14th Mississippi Infantry, N-SSA
Deputy Commander, DS Region
Moderator
Yep.....Ed's right!
JDH
Back in the 1980's I had a bunch of old Snider rounds, made in 1867, that I had purchased at a gun show for .25 cents each. A friend of mine had just purchased a Mark III Snider Short Rifle and lamented to me that he had no ammo to shoot in it. I pulled out the old Snider ammo box!
About 1/3rd of them shot fine, the other third were "Hang Fires" and one third "Duds."
I recovered the powder from the "Duds" and it shot fine in my musket!
Moral of story: Black powder lasts forever IF it is protected from moisture!
I was cleaning out a house about 5 years ago and found some old GOEX from the early 60s. Couldn't tell the diference from the new stuff.
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