20 LB keg of IMR powder

[trooperdan]

About when did IMR stop putting powder in those nifty 20 pound metal kegs? I just "lucked" into a sealed 20 pounder of IMR 4831 in a pristine sealed can for about $17 a pound. I think it is from early 1963 from the label. I can use the powder for sure but I was also attracted by the kewl keg, I have the last bit of a 8 pound keg of Red Dot that I've been using for years, also metal but I think maybe a bit smaller than this one and red in color.
129881

[Daniel964]

That is a thing of beauty.

[Certaindeaf]

If its been kept dry it'll probably go bang.

[MtGun44]

Wetness does zero damage to powder. The best possible storage for
powder is underwater, literally. Large samples of the original batches
of Unique and Bullseye were (probably still are) stored under water in
an aquarium by Hercules. Every few years a sample was removed and
dried, then tested. It tested exactly the same as when it was made,
almost a century earlier. If they are still doing this (I read of it at least
20 yrs ago) it would be well over a century.

Hodgdon has verified that storage under water is perfect.

Water would damage the can but not the powder. Oxygen is the
enemy, not water. Sealed cans keep out oxygen, as does water.
High temps also can accelerate deterioration. Kept from oxygen
and at reasonable temps powder seems to last almost forever,
with the exception of occasional bad batches that were not properly rinsed
of manufacturing acids, and deteriorate more rapidly.

Bill

[GaryN]

Cans are cool. Hodgdon used to put H110 20 lbers. in a plastic bag and then in a cardboard box.

[runfiverun]

Bill has the correct information as usual.

there should be a code on the can somewhere in that code is the manufacture date.
I have 3-4 pounds of ww-2 milsurp 4831 kicking around here, I have been burning it up in the 30-30.
I'd maybe try it in the 270 if I had one.
it seems to burn just a tick slower than my newer H-4831.

[freebullet]

I wish those were still available

[Bad Water Bill]

About that time I received TWO 50# cardboard cylinders lined with a plastic bag and IIRC 4831 inside for about $65.00 DELIVERED to my front door.

[DLCTEX]

I have 16# of H 4831 in a cardboard cylinder that originally contained 50#. I bought it from the widow of the original purchaser and it had been in her garage for 25 years. The cardboard container was inside a metal 5 gal. lard can with a friction top and smells good and shoots fine. I figured the container had proven itself, so I continue to use it, with the addition of air conditioning in my reloading room as the refrigerator I had kept powder in was commandeered by my wife.

[shooter93]

Now Lamar....there is no way you're still fast enough with a stop watch and squeezing the trigger to measure the speed difference.....age catches us all......smiles.

[GabbyM]

I've a can of 700X that size. Purchased in the late 80's. Was for twelve pounds of 700X but probably the same can. 12" tall 10" diameter. Would of been about three months worth of trap shooting. Then I quit shooting trap. Still have about seven pounds. Enough for a whole lot of 38 Special wad cutters.

[bobthenailer]

That's a nice glossy shine on that 20lb can ! what brand of car wax did you use ?

[lka]

I've a can of 700X that size. Purchased in the late 80's. Was for twelve pounds of 700X but probably the same can. 12" tall 10" diameter. Would of been about three months worth of trap shooting. Then I quit shooting trap. Still have about seven pounds. Enough for a whole lot of 38 Special wad cutters.

I've got one of 700x too, found it in my grandpas stuff, it's been setting in a C-Train for who knows how long and works just fine..

[Harter66]

That's a nice glossy shine on that 20lb can ! what brand of car wax did you use ?

I don't know the 8# unique and red dot cans from 68-9 are still pretty shiney.

[tomme boy]

So why can't you get these anymore? I see where the Maxum Spanish powder is coming into the country in 50lb or so cardboard drums. ?????

[country gent]

I saw some 20LB kegs of IMR 4895 and 4064 on commercial row a few years ago in one of the venders huts. I thought about one of the 4895s but didnt spring for it. I saw 4831 surpluss in a card board drum p;astic lined ina guns shop once they had a scales and scoop beside drum. Alot was sold in paper bags some brought empty coffee cans with them also.

[Harter66]

Ive seen a lot of 100 plus lb cans 6-15 per pallet......

[flyingmonkey35]

My thoughts as to why there not available anymore.

Money.

I can make more money selling 20 1 pound bottles to 20 people.

Then I can selling 1 20 pound keg.

Economic,s

I'm sure they would be happy to sell you a 500 pound keg of the stuff they sell to manufacturers.

If you can up front the cash.

[country gent]

The biggest reason they arnt more popular is the fire codes zoning in most areas limit the amount of powder in a home or buisness ( or what can be transported in a passenger vechicle with out placards) with out special storage conditions. If caught with large amounts of powder in private dwelling insurance companies get upset also.

[altheating]

And how many people can afford a 20 pounder in this economy? Watched a guy the other day tell the gun shop clerk that he needed to stock up on primers, then proceeded to tell him he needed a box of SP and a box of LR primers. Clerk said, you want a 1000 of each he said no, just two little trays. He sold him 100 SP and 100 LR primers. Well at least he stocked up.