Pyrodex Pellets and Loose Powder Shelf Life?

I have often read that one should use up all his or her Pyrodex pellets and loose powder each year and purchase NEW canisters or boxes of pellets for each hunting season. The reason given is that over time, the powder and pellets will deteriorate and your groups size and point of impact will change.

The KEY phrase here is over a period of time. The question is, HOW MUCH time?

It was time for me to make a trip to the rifle range to check out the Encore 209/50 to see if the scope was still on and determine if the point of impact had changed any since last years sight in and hunting season.

The target on the RIGHT is a (5) shot group at 100 yards. Three of the shots went into the same hole, with the first shot being wide and to the right. I could have pulled that shot. Perhaps I should have ran two dry patches through the bore instead of just one. I don't really know what happened. It is NOT that I am terribly concerned as it was still well within the black on the target and certainly would not have caused a missed even with a hurried shot. The first shot was exactly three inches out of the group center to center and a little low. The last three shots fired went into one raged hole which is what I normally expect from the TC Encore.

The target on the left, was still centered, but the weather had changed from a light sprinkle to a hard rain, and that may have contributed to the larger group. In any event, I could not  tell any significant difference in point of impact or group size due to the age of the two loads. The first target was fired from last years unused speed loaders still in my possibles bag. The second target was fired with new pellets and new 250 grain TC shockwaves behind (2) Pyrodex pellets.

Just for the record, I run one wet patch and one dry patch between every shot. I believe consistency is the key to good accuracy.

The used pellets were probably 2 or 3 years old and stored in a cool dry place in the house. The new pellets were purchased at the same time, although unopened until today. For my money, I still like Pyrodex pellets and loose powder and have quite a lot of it on hand. As mentioned previously, I have tried Triple 777, Jim Shockey's powder, Pyrodex and settled on the Pyrodex as the most consistent and accurate of the bunch.

I have read good things about IMR's White Hots, and also Goex Pinnacle. I have read some negative reviews on the Buckhorn 209 powder from the standpoint of limitations on bullet weights, type of primer that must be used and even restrictions on the kind of breech plug that can and cannot be used. When I run out, I am inclined to purchase some IMR white hots and give them a try.

I just don't need anymore NEW powder right now.

Dan

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV  "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first (17) then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord"