For those reloaders who've been around awhile...

[msp2640]

Can anyone help me ID how old some smokeless powder containers are?
I have 6 Hercules metal pistol powder containers that are about 3 1/2" square (1 lb) and 2 metal drums 8" high/ 61/2" diameter (8lbs- I believe). Also have 4 1lb cardboard containers of Hodgdon H110 (sealed). All were given to me about 15 years ago and have been stored since. Most are still factory sealed and would like to start using them now that I'm back into reloading after a 10 year hiatus. Looking to ID how old they are and if you think they're still usable. Any help/ opinions are appreciated - Thanks Bill

[dale2242]

I don`t know how old the containers of powder are, but if they have been kept cool and dry, they will be OK. I`m shooting powder now that are in containers like you`ve said and they work just fine.---dale

[freedom475]

When you open the cans, smell them: if they smell like nitro solvent, there fine... use and enjoy!:-D

If they smell like rancid bacon grease..:(.. oh well... can't win them all...dump it on the rose bushes. the nito will make them bloom nicely.

[jimkim]

Is there any writing on the containers? Look for a lot number.

[msp2640]

They're the usual pistol powders - 2400, Green Dot, Bullseye, Herco, etc. The ones that are open, smell and look fine. Just hoping they're from the 60's or so rather than the 40's or earlier. I was hoping that someone who's seen or had these style containers knows when they were produced. Thanks for the info - Bill

[fecmech]

The snap top 1 lb cans were around new in the 60's and early seventies as were the round metal 4 and 8 lb cans. I would not worry about them unless they obviously smell bad.

[Junior1942]

The cans of powder I had go bad smelled somewhat like urine.

[beemer]

Some of the old cans are collectable.

[Morgan Astorbilt]

Check the addresses on the cans. If they've got ZIP codes, like the 19899 on Hercules cans, they're post 1965, when the ZIP codes came out. If they've just got a postal zone, like 99, they're pre 1965.
Morgan

[msp2640]

Gents,
The collective lnowledge of the people on this site never ceases to amaze me. Even when the question, post, etc is not mine, the response is unlike any other site I visit. Thank you - Bill

[Buckshot]

................We're just freaking AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAmazing ! :-)

................Buckshot

[corvette8n]

I sold 3 empty cans on flea-bay just under 20.00 each, they were given to me in a box of junk.

[Shepherd2]

I have a couple square metal snap top cans of Unique that I got from a neighbor. The one can that I opened is fine. I've loaded several 100 rounds with it. BTW the price on the cans is $2.75.

[skeet1]

I know that I purchased 2400, Red Dot and Unique in the mid 60's in those type of cans and still have a few of them. As long as the powder has been stored in cool temperatures the shelf life will be ok. A few years back in a Hercules Powder data flier they showed a container of ,I think, Red Dot. This container had this powder that was made in the 20's (?) stored in water I think, and said that they would on occasion take some out and dry it and that it would compare with modern powder. Maybe some of you remember seeing this.

Skeet1

[uncle joe]

I'm still loading bullseye that is older than I am, pre 1962. it shoots just fine. I have some unique just as old also.
JE

[fecmech]

A few years back in a Hercules Powder data flier they showed a container of ,I think, Red Dot. This container had this powder that was made in the 20's (?) stored in water I think, and said that they would on occasion take some out and dry it and that it would compare with modern powder. Maybe some of you remember seeing this.

Skeet1
The powder in question was Unique from the Lafflin&Rand Co. before the turn of the last century.They said that periodically they dried some out and tested it and it still met original specs. It's my understanding that in the early days they did not have the stabilizers in powder that they have today so the powder had to be stored wet to preserve it.

[Buckshot]

.............My buddy and memebr here, Gopher Slayer was given a sealed can of Lightening powder that was made in 1939. Other then the fact of it's grain size, which he says is a PITA to deal with, it shoots just like new. He uses it in the 30-06 with cast.

...................Buckshot

[Cherokee]

I started reloading 30/06 with HiVel#2 from those square metal cans in 1959. Powdeer should be fine if it passes the sniff test.

[klw]

Can anyone help me ID how old some smokeless powder containers are?
I have 6 Hercules metal pistol powder containers that are about 3 1/2" square (1 lb) and 2 metal drums 8" high/ 61/2" diameter (8lbs- I believe). Also have 4 1lb cardboard containers of Hodgdon H110 (sealed). All were given to me about 15 years ago and have been stored since. Most are still factory sealed and would like to start using them now that I'm back into reloading after a 10 year hiatus. Looking to ID how old they are and if you think they're still usable. Any help/ opinions are appreciated - Thanks Bill

I got quite a lot of powder back in the mid-70's. About ten years ago I decided to sell most of it off. Got rid of quite a bit but I saved anything I thought that I might eventually use. Starting last year I decided to shoot this stuff up. Herco, Blue Dot, Green Dot, Red Dot and Bullseye. Just about have shot it all up. Absolutely NO problems. Worked just fine.

[R.C. Hatter]

In reply to skeet 1, Hercules did, in fact, keep a quantity of Unique under water. The powder was from the early days of Unique production, and periodically they would remove a sample and dry it to test in comparison with current production. R.C. Hatter