"Vintage" Red Dot and Unique Smokeless Powders

[Harter66]

I have the last 4-5 lbs in a 12 lb keg of Unique lotted in 1969 that makes it 49 yr old . The sister 8lb can of Red Dot turned 50 last yr but there's only 3-4# of it left . Still goes bang , runs a little faster than data in most of my pistols .

[ascast]

what state you in?

[ulav8r]

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

Ain't it the truth.

[No_1_U_Know]

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

...but can I ship it?

[No_1_U_Know]

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.

Thanks... Is Red Dot primarily a pistol cartridge powder?

[No_1_U_Know]

Ain't it the truth.

Y'all are correct

[No_1_U_Know]

what state you in?

I'm in Louisiana

[No_1_U_Know]

I have the last 4-5 lbs in a 12 lb keg of Unique lotted in 1969 that makes it 49 yr old . The sister 8lb can of Red Dot turned 50 last yr but there's only 3-4# of it left . Still goes bang , runs a little faster than data in most of my pistols .

"...runs a little faster..."? Does that mean it burns faster and creates somewhat higher peak pressures?

[No_1_U_Know]

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.

Thanks!

[No_1_U_Know]

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

Actually, Dad was a black powder afficianado and didn't do much with smokless powder. Hee went though lots of BP, *ESPECIALLY* in the Six-Pound Field Howitzer, at about a pound of single-F per round 😉

[No_1_U_Know]

"...runs a little faster..."? Does that mean it burns faster and creates somewhat higher peak pressures?

@harter66 ???

[No_1_U_Know]

I'm in Louisiana

@ascat ???

[No_1_U_Know]

Thanks... Is Red Dot primarily a pistol cartridge powder?

@375supermag ??

[shootinfox2]

I still have a 12 lb keg of 4756. New, never opened that I know of. Waiting till I need it or somebody makes an offer. Original DuPont metal keg.

[No_1_U_Know]

I still have a 12 lb keg of 4756. New, never opened that I know of. Waiting till I need it or somebody makes an offer. Original DuPont metal keg.

The Red Dot I have is in the metal keg as well. May never get around to using it. Time will tell...

[No_1_U_Know]

I guess those "@XXXX" above don't work the way I'd hoped

[tazman]

@375supermag ??

I first ran into Red Dot as shotgun powder. I believe that was what it was designed for. That said, it works quite well as a pistol powder. Many use it for cast rifle as well.

[EMC45]

I have Hercules square cans with the aluminum seal still intact (un-opened) that I plan to open and load with.

[Plate plinker]

I guess those "@XXXX" above don't work the way I'd hoped

They don’t typically do it that way here. Also if you want to sell the stuff you need to go into swapping and selling when that is available to you. The site has requirements which are listed. I would save it for the day when you finally get into reloading.

[missionary5155]

Good afternoon
Couple years back came across a pound of #60 made about 1970 and it works as good as any Green Dot I have ever loaded. Half way through it and hoping I can find anything else before I run clean out.
If it is stored anyways near dry and reasonable temperature it seems powder will keep on going.
Mike in Peru