RepackboxRotoMetals2Titan ReloadingWideners
Reloading EverythingMidSouth Shooters SupplyLee PrecisionLoad Data
Inline Fabrication
Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: W296 In a Metal Can....How Long Ago??

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    403

    W296 In a Metal Can....How Long Ago??

    A friend of mine wants to trade a metal can of W296 with me for some powder that I have. The can looks fine. No unusal odors. The powder looks fine. I am going to trade.

    But, I just want to know how long ago did Winchester stop using metal cans for there gunpowder.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    586
    Southern -

    Howdy !

    From my defective memory..... I'd say around 1980.


    With regards,
    357Mag

  3. #3
    Boolit Master MarkP's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Omaha NE
    Posts
    1,245
    I am pretty certain I bought some WW powder in the mid 90's that came in metal cans.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    WNY
    Posts
    2,504
    It was in the 90s. I still have quite a few odds and ends of different powders from then.

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    403
    It is an unused can and was stored in an environmentally controlled workshop. The powder looks and smells "normal". I am going to load up some this week.

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master


    swheeler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Montana
    Posts
    5,471
    late 1990's to early 2k IIRC
    Charter Member #148

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    4,612
    I will guess in the 1990s too. However the powder could go back to the 1980s.
    If the powder does not appear to be breaking down or smelling like nitric acid I would not worry about it.
    Load a few rounds. I am sure it is still good. Ball powder seems to have a 40 or 50 year shelf life.
    EDG

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

    Reload3006's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    West Plains, Mo.
    Posts
    1,582
    I have a metal can of 296 I know I bought in the mid to late 90s

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
    Stonecrusher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    SE Georgia
    Posts
    271
    I still have an unopened can I bought around 1986 or so. Label is falling off, but can is still solid.
    -William

    "How air ye fixed fer meat, Del?" --John Johnson Crow Killer, The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson

    My Feedback: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...t=stonecrusher

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
    Bullwolf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Reno, Nevada
    Posts
    1,136
    I bought this metal can of Winchester 296 back in 1993.

    I used it mostly with 44 Magnum and 30 Carbine hand loads. I have used H110 as well, and the data was almost directly interchangeable with W296 except for some minor lot to lot variances. The last cans of W296 I purchased after 2000 were black plastic, as were the H110 cans purchased since Hodgdon took over the Winchester powder line.

    This old W296 can still has some powder left. (little less than half now) I have been slowly rationing whats left in the can for nostalgia sake, and to see how it holds up over time. The powder is still in good condition. (No rust, discoloration, or nasty ammonia smell. It still smells strongly like solvent/ether)

    I loaded some 30 Carbine using it just last year, and it chronographs much the same as it did in the early 1990's.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	W 296.jpg 
Views:	827 
Size:	32.2 KB 
ID:	102902



    - Bullwolf

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy



    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Aurora, Wisconsin
    Posts
    203
    I have a metal can of 748 I bought in 1996.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master silverado's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Posts
    597
    I bought a metal can of 296 last year.... but it was from a shop where the owner likes to kick people out based on his personal feelings... He likes me I guess..... Google ron hess norfolk if you wanna see some serious butthurt....
    You better watch where you go and remember where you been
    That's the way I see it I'm a Simple Man. - Charlie Daniels
    For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. -Matthew 6:14-15

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master In Remembrance
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    South Jersey
    Posts
    6,314
    how long ago did Winchester stop using metal cans for there gunpowder.
    Check the lot number on the can. If you are in doublt how to read the lot number - call Hodgdon
    Regards
    John

  14. #14
    Boolit Master FLHTC's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    The Police State
    Posts
    909
    I have an 8lb can of 296 from 1998 that I bought from Widener's.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    4114.27 yards North of the PRK.
    Posts
    1,311
    Looks like the can I'm using on right now. Regards, Woody
    Take a kid along

  16. #16
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Perryville, Ky,USA
    Posts
    4,513
    In the mid to late 90s and if stored properly, that stuff never goes bad./beagle
    diplomacy is being able to say, "nice doggie" until you find a big rock.....

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy Kent Fowler's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Between Hondo and Bandera
    Posts
    342
    Still have an unopened 3# and an 8# metal can of WW296 I think I bought around 1997. Now if I could just remember what " project " I had in mind when I bought the stuff.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check