Date code on Winchester Powder

[wv109323]

I was given about 3 pounds of WW296 powder. I wonder if there is a code that would indicate the date of manufacture. I can make out numbers of 296 048 TD1 on one can and 296 08 3BB3 2A on another. Prices on the cans are $9.95 if that will give you a clue.
The powder looks and smells good but top of cans show some rust.

[John Boy]

Month - Year - Day ... lot code

[wv109323]

What would be the dates on the codes given?
04= April
8 = 1988 or 1998 or 2008
Day=?
Lot=?
I have some H110 that has a code that would follow your explanation but don't understand the Winchester code.

[John Boy]

296 048
2 = month
96 = year
04 = day
8 = batch

[turtlezx]

its 296 powder that cant figure into date of manufacture

[wv109323]

I am almost certain that one can was purchased prior to 1996. All cans have 296 and I doubt all were made in 02/1996.

[swheeler]

Hum, 9.95 sounds like late 80's early 90's for a wag

[farmbif]

when you say rust on top of can do you mean the powder at the surface you can see looks like rust or is the can itself rusted, if so is it the inside of the can or the outside of can. I have winchester 748 in metal can from the 80's and it still goes bang just as good as new production stuff and herco and green dot from the 70's in cardboard cans that is also still perfectly good even though this stuff was stored in an old truck body out on the farm where it freezes in winter and gets real hot in summer. as far as date I would contact winchester powder directly to be sure.

[wv109323]

Just the outside of the cans are rusty. I see nothing wrong with the powder inside.

[farmbif]

I would shoot it. I ve got several cans of old powder that are rusted on outside, as long as they are capped tightly they all are still good. the others are old Dupont cans of 3031 and old Dupont ffg. I cap em tightly after using whatever is needed.