Blue Dot Powder

[JEEPr]

Ok, so I have a 5lb jug of Blue Dot powder that was bought in 1997. It's been stored inside it's whole life. How do I tell if it is bad, or hopefully it is good. I don't have a use for it and I would like to sell it. What are some of the tell tale signs of bad powder? Thanks!
JEEPr

 

[Grumulkin]

I've had some Blue Dot longer than that (probably about 17 years old) and it's still good.

Look at it. Does it look gray like powder should? Smell it; does it smell like gunpowder should? If the answers to both questions are yes, I would consider it good.

 

[Shadowrider]

Stored properly in it's original container with the cap tight it should last over 50 years.

 

[csiedmond1]

I had some blue dot in a cardboard container, cap tight for a number of yrs. Tried to load some .45 acp rounds and they would not fire clean or consistent...

 

[Mechanicalmehem]

I had some blue dot in a cardboard container, cap tight for a number of yrs. Tried to load some .45 acp rounds and they would not fire clean or consistent...

cardboard container? hmm I wouldn't consider cardboard to be water tight.....
--Mech

 

[criticalbass]

Bad powder often has a strong odor, kind of sharp. Your bluedot is probably just fine. CB

 

[Toney]

My brother gave me some in the cardboard container along with some green dot and unique.
It's all worked very good, but it has been taken care of. All the containers still look new.

 

[Dale00]

This question got me thinking and worrying a little. So I went to the internet and gleaned the following:
Smell- does it have the proper gunpowder smell - like solvents (ether, alcohol, acetone)? If it doesn't and/or smells sour or is clumping then it's probably bad.
Properly stored gunpowder - sealed to keep dry and no excessive heat - should last 80 years.
http://www.nodakoutdoors.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=11654

 

[TonyT]

I had some Blue Dot left over from shot shell reloading and used it up in 9mm loads.

 

[gaseous maximus]

I have some that I bought in the early 80s, its still good. Have used it in 38, 357, and 45 colt. Actually my container, (original) is a sort of wrapped card board.