Re: shelf life
I've got Cordite powder that is 85 years old that shoots just fine.
I bought several pounds of Hotchkiss Glass Plate Flake from the 1930's that is as good as the day it was made.
As stated above as long as the powder does not have an acrid Oder to it, it should be good. Over the years I've been reloading I have only found WWII Italian powder to be questionable/dangerous.
Also the recent .50BMG demilled powder has been a real problem with corrosive gasses that can bee seen rising from the powder!
But, normaly, if the powder has been stored in a dry ,cool place it should be OK to use.