Question concerning black powder

[PcDeer]

I thought I was out of powder and was getting ready to go buy more when I found in the bottom of my ammo box a full bottle (1lb) of Hodgdon 777. It has been in a cool dry place with the lid on. My concern is that i bought it 2 maybe 3 years ago. I know it will still shoot but my question to you guys is, do you think it still has the same "bang" as fresh powder? I ask because I've read (probably on here) that 777 will lose its effectiveness rather quickly.

 

[Robtattoo]

Nope.
It'll work, without a doubt, but it does lose power pretty quickly once it's opened & left for a year or so.

Best opinion I can offer is to go & shoot some. If you're used to Proper black, don't forget to drop your charge by 10% as it has a little more 'ooomph' than Goex.
See how she groups & adjust your load to suit. You may also want to consider switching to Magnum caps too.

Even if it has deteriorated a little, anything over 50gn of the stuff will still have enough life in it to dump a deer on it's butt.

 

[PcDeer]

Thanks for the info Rob! Im planning on getting out this afternoon and firing a few through my CVA. If it don't meet expectations I'm thinking about trying some American Pioneer.

 

[tasaman]

I'd say you'll be fine since it wasn't opened and not exposed to heat. Probably will be reduced some but hard to say how much without a chronograph. I'll bet it will group fine though.