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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2019 18:44:40 GMT -5
I messed up apparently, and about 4 years ago, as best I can recall, when Gander Mountain was still open on Rockville Road in Avon, I bought two, 50 count boxes of 777, 50 grain pellets. I went through the first box of 50 at the range checking the zero of the Knight Disc Extreme, and the rest either hunting, or, I threw away because I had carried them for a muzzleloader season in speed loaders in my possibles bag.
Here`s my question: It`s my understanding that the pellets are good indefinitely until the seal is broken on the box, and I can`t remember if I just broke the seal last muzzleloader season or the season before, but they`ve been stored in the house, in my closet, so, in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. Whether the seal was broken last year,or the year before, in your opinion, they`re still fine to use to hunt with, right?
I need to figure this out right away, because if I need to buy new pellets, I have to find them, fast, since season opens this Saturday, and I need to get this loaded by Friday night.
So, would you hunt with these 777 pellets?
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Post by greghopper on Dec 3, 2019 18:51:57 GMT -5
Goggle.... “ 777 pellets lifespan“ then read from there!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2019 19:33:55 GMT -5
Searched for 777 pellets lifespan, and it`s nothing but guys on hunting/shooting forums, asking the same question I did, and the answers are all, throw them out and buy new, to, they`ll still likely be good even after 5 years if kept dry, and everything in between.
I talked to a guy from Hogden, and he just gave me the standard line: "shoot them and if they seem fine, they probably are". I don`t have time to shoot them. I know my rifle is dead on from last season, so I haven`t intended to shoot prior to hunting Saturday morning, and couldn`t now even if i wanted to.
These 777 pellets are crazy expensive, especially now, being semi-retired, and I hate to not use these, but I`d hate even more missing a chance at a deer, or worse yet, not making a clean kill due to old pellets. I guess I`ll go buy a new box.
I hope Walmart in Avon has them, or maybe Bob Cheeks at Plainfield Shooting Supplies.
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Post by whitetaildave24 on Dec 3, 2019 20:08:18 GMT -5
Really it probably all depends box to box. The shoot them and see method is probably the best. Even if I haven’t touched my gun from one season to the next I always fire at least one shot to make sure it’s still good before going hunting.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2019 21:27:45 GMT -5
I just looked in the box. It`s a box of 100 and there are only five pellets gone so that means I just broke the seal last season. The box has been in my closet since opened, meaning it`s been in a stable temp/humidity controlled environment, but still, I don`t want to risk them not having all they should have, and not making a clean kill should I get the opportunity. At this point, I couldn`t fire the rifle if I wanted to, I have nowhere to shoot, and I work everyday, then season opens Saturday. I know the rifle is on, because it hasn`t been moved from last year. I guess I`m just going to bite the bullet and get a new box, but not 100 this time. Then I`ll wonder about whatever's left over from this new box next season.
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Post by greghopper on Dec 4, 2019 6:50:31 GMT -5
I would bet very few people throw out powder because it was "opened last year" unless it got wet or exposed to high humidity.
Sounds like a waste to me but to what suits you I guess.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2019 7:05:22 GMT -5
I would bet very few people throw out powder because it was "opened last year" unless it got wet or exposed to high humidity. Sounds like a waste to me but to what suits you I guess. It`s been in the house, so nope, it hasn`t been exposed to any temperature or humidity extremes. I just can`t find any definitive word, anywhere, that`s telling me, sure go ahead and use it, it will be fine. I bought it probably 4 years ago, but the seal was just broken last year. I don`t want to toss it and buy new, the stuff is too expensive and we`re on a fixed income, but I don`t want to risk it not being good enough to make a clean kill either. Would you hunt with it? I just don`t know enough about muzzleloading and the pellets to really know and be sure. |
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Post by greghopper on Dec 4, 2019 7:19:07 GMT -5
yeah....i would use it for sure if it was mine.I think the container has a good seal when closed if I remember right.
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Post by mgderf on Dec 4, 2019 7:21:52 GMT -5
I've used 2 and 3 year old pellets with great success.
Open boxes are o.k., if stored properly, and your seem to have been.
The problems will arise when you try to use ones you took in the field but did not use.
I always toss my "extra shot" pellets that went unsed.
Other than that, I store them properly and use them all.
If you want to know the truth, I much prefer Jim Shockey's "American Pioneer Powder" sticks over Triple 777.
The American Pioneer Powder seems to burn cleaner and ignites every time.
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 4, 2019 9:29:39 GMT -5
I'm still using some 10 year old 3F black powder...
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Dec 4, 2019 10:27:28 GMT -5
Mine are several years old and I have no problem with them. They are kept in house majority of year and then in garage for couple weeks.
What primer you using? That could be the problem.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2019 17:25:07 GMT -5
Mine are several years old and I have no problem with them. They are kept in house majority of year and then in garage for couple weeks. What primer you using? That could be the problem. I haven`t had any problems, was just trying to head off problems, and fretting over an opened box of 777 pellets from last year. I`m shooting 3, 50 grain 777 pellets in a Knight Disc Extreme, with a CCI 209M shotgun primer. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2019 17:29:01 GMT -5
yeah....i would use it for sure if it was mine.I think the container has a good seal when closed if I remember right. I`ve traded several email with a technical rep from Hogden, and man, you`ve really got to ask the right questions and pry, because they don`t seem to want to give up a lot of information. I get it, they want you to buy more powder/pellets. But I finally got this guy to say that, yes, they`d be fine, and even got this from him when I asked about the age of these pellets: "Pellets do not go bad from age. Just from humidity. We have control lot powder that we test every day that is 11 years old. It still shoots the same as the day it was made. It is kept it a room that is kept at a constant temperature and humidity. " So, that`s what I was looking for, a validation that because I`ve kept these in the house in a temp/humidity controlled environment, they`ll be ok. |
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Post by jjas on Dec 4, 2019 17:42:38 GMT -5
I've kept pellets like this in the house for several years and they worked just fine. I didn't chronograph them to see if the velocity was down, but they grouped the same as in years past so I figured they were fine.
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Post by greghopper on Dec 4, 2019 17:44:54 GMT -5
I would keep them in a ziplock bag and tape the container closed.... that’s they way I store mine.
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Post by mgderf on Dec 4, 2019 18:37:46 GMT -5
If overly worried, why not vacuum seal the opened box after the season is over, then open again next year?
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Post by parson on Dec 4, 2019 19:29:57 GMT -5
I shot some today using Pyrodex that has to be close to 10 years old. 100 grain loads shot just fine in my Optima.
I would shoot 'em.
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