"Vintage" Red Dot and Unique Smokeless Powders

[No_1_U_Know]

Hello All...

I have a 3 lb canister of Hercules Red Dot that's nearly full. Smells fine and looks OK. I also have a fair amount of Unique that also looks and smells fine. This powder belonged to my father and is probably 30 years old, but has been well-stored. Any reason to Suspect it may be bad? Also, are these powders still in common use?

Thanks!

N1UK

[tazman]

If it looks good and smells good, I would use it. Test first with light loads and go from there.
Both are still very much in common use in shotguns, handgun cartridges, and cast rifle loads.
I believe the formula for Red Dot has changed slightly over the years so data may be a little different than what you might expect. Others on this site will know more about that than I do.

[hithard]

Shoot that stuff, load a few and test.

I've just come onto a few one pounders myself of rd that is Hercules in sealed tin cans, and a couple Herco and one unique in 3 lbs if irr.

[trapper9260]

I still use some of the same powders from when it was Hercules and no problems. For how you say it is .Like stated load some test rounds and see from there.

[sharps4590]

Yesterday I loaded some 44 Spl. with Win. 231 that was still in the cylindrical metal can and priced at $12.50. I have some SR-4756, SR-7625 and IMR-4831 dated 1982 and at 36 years old they're all fine. As you mentioned, keep the stuff well stored and it will last a great long time.

Good grief yes they're still in use. Unique is still one of my favorite powders and I hope they never discontinue it like they have SR-4759, SR-7625 and a couple others. Just 'cause it's "new and improved" doesn't necessarily mean it's actually better.

[redhawk0]

I still have old paper/metal cans (not Red Dot) from back in the 80s. No problems with it at all. I go through so much Red Dot though...All my current cans are just a year or two old.

If they look good/smell good....use em up. They are likely fine.

redhawk

[No_1_U_Know]

If it looks good and smells good, I would use it. Test first with light loads and go from there.
Both are still very much in common use in shotguns, handgun cartridges, and cast rifle loads.
I believe the formula for Red Dot has changed slightly over the years so data may be a little different than what you might expect. Others on this site will know more about that than I do.

Thanks Tazman!

[No_1_U_Know]

Yesterday I loaded some 44 Spl. with Win. 231 that was still in the cylindrical metal can and priced at $12.50. I have some SR-4756, SR-7625 and IMR-4831 dated 1982 and at 36 years old they're all fine. As you mentioned, keep the stuff well stored and it will last a great long time.

Good grief yes they're still in use. Unique is still one of my favorite powders and I hope they never discontinue it like they have SR-4759, SR-7625 and a couple others. Just 'cause it's "new and improved" doesn't necessarily mean it's actually better.

Thanks!

[No_1_U_Know]

I still have old paper/metal cans (not Red Dot) from back in the 80s. No problems with it at all. I go through so much Red Dot though...All my current cans are just a year or two old.

If they look good/smell good....use em up. They are likely fine.

redhawk

At this point, I'm not doing any reloading. Hope to get there. Wondering if I might be able to sell this locally. Is powder shippable as ORM-D?

[Outpost75]

At this point, I'm not doing any reloading. Hope to get there. Wondering if I might be able to sell this locally. Is powder shippable as ORM-D?

Nope. Comes under 49 CFR 173.171 - Smokeless powder for small arms.

§ 173.171 Smokeless powder for small arms.
Smokeless powder for small arms which has been classed in Division 1.3 or Division 1.4 may be re classed in Division 4.1, for domestic transportation by motor vehicle, rail car, vessel, or cargo-only aircraft, subject to the following conditions:

(a) Powders that have been approved as Division 1.3C or Division 1.4C may be reclassed to Division 4.1 in accordance with §§ 173.56 and 173.58 of this part.

(b) The total quantity of smokeless powder may not exceed 45.4 kg (100 pounds) net mass in:

(1) One transport vehicle or cargo-only aircraft; or

(2) One freight container on a vessel, not to exceed four freight containers per vessel.

(c) Only combination packagings with inner packagings not exceeding 3.6 kg (8 pounds) net mass are authorized. Inner packagings must be arranged and protected so as to prevent simultaneous ignition of the contents. The complete package must be of the same type which has been examined as required in § 173.56 of this part.

(d) Inside packages that have been examined and approved by the Associate Administrator may be packaged in UN 4G fiberboard boxes meeting the Packing Group I performance level, provided all inside containers are packed to prevent shifting and the net weight of smokeless powder in any one box does not exceed 7.3 kg (16 pounds).

[Amdt. 173-224, 55 FR 52643, Dec. 21, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 66270, Dec. 20, 1991; Amdt. 173-241, 59 FR 67509, Dec. 29, 1994; Amdt. 173-253, 61 FR 27174, May 30, 1996; 66 FR 45379, Aug. 28, 2001; 68 FR 61941, Oct. 30, 2003; 75 FR 53597, Sept. 1, 2010; 78 FR 14714, Mar. 7, 2013; 78 FR 65482, Oct. 31, 2013; 81 FR 35542, June 2, 2016]

http://www.fedex.com/us/services/pdf...ppingGuide.pdf

[375supermag]

Hi...
Yes...these powders are still in common use.
I use a lot of Unique in .44Spl, .41 Mag, .44Mag and .45Colt cast lead loads.
I have also stockpiled some Red Dot to cushion the blow if we experience another powder shortage with the new Congress coming into office.

[beagle]

Still using some Unique in the old paper/metal cans. Ran a few test loads of new Unique and the old stuff over the chrony. No significant difference other than normal variance in velocities. Use it. Save the cans, they're sought after./beagle

[Reverend Al]

I have a lot of older powder, some of it being surplus military powders that are up to 40 years old or more, and if it still smells "sweet" then I use it. (I've had the odd old tin of powder turn into "vinegar" and start corroding the tins heavily and those have been turned into garden fertilizer.) Having said that I also have a lot of old, period reloading data and tend to use the suggested loads of the era for the powders I am using. As has been already mentioned, start low and work up from there ...

[poppy42]

Sorry I got quite a chuckle out of your question. Yes Red Dot and Unique are still being used today. A lot. As far as unique goes, I’d have a hard time thinking what I couldn’t use it for. As to it going bad. If store properly it should be fine. If you were in Eastern Virginia I’d be happy to take it off your hands and make sure it was still good!

[Tom W.]

I have about 3/4 of a pound of Bullseye that Noah had hidden on the ark. Been using it for years in 9mm, .357 and fire forming loads for the 30/30 a.i. If I ever use it up I have a spare unopened bottle on the shelf that I bought about two years ago.

[bob208]

I have been loading out of the old squire cans and never had a problem. as long as it looks and smells good.

[frankmako]

use them. i just finish off some aa5744 that was very old and working on my last two pounds of sr4756 that i got in 86.

[Wild Bill 7]

I have about 3 pounds of Unique in a card board container. Hercules powder container. Also have a Bulleye container also. Sadly it's all gone. I have had these for about 25 years now. They are 8 lb. containers. The powder is in very good condition and I use it mostly for my 41 mag loads.

[ulav8r]

My first pound of Unique was in a square can, about the same height as the width, bought 1972-1976. Finished it off about 6 years ago. Have two more tall round cans bought about 1980-1982, still in good shape.

[35remington]

If it takes forty years to finish off a pound of Unique....somebody needs to do a lot more shooting and reloading.