Powder manufacture requires a lot of acid. The various chemicals used to create gunpowder all have to be pure, many acidic, and the end result is a product that has to have the acid neutralized. When you open a can or jug of powder, it will smell sour. That is the residual base neutralizer left to counter any latent acids that werent fully washed away.
Stored in a cool, dark location, powder can last decades. Many decades. If not, it will last only a short time. If you re-open a storage container and it smells acidic or sharp or doesnt look like the others of that type, it probably has gone bad. Trying to use it is simply asking for trouble. As a highly nitrogen-based compound, it makes good fertilizer, as long as it is soaked with water as soon as you pour it out. Soak it, disperse it and leave it alone afterwards.
For additional advice and information on the best reloading equipment and techniques to use for your needs, purchase “Reloading for Handgunners” from Gun Tests.
