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Thread: Market for old powder cans?

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    Market for old powder cans?

    So a guy at work just inherited a big box of old powder cans, most unopened. Most are Hercules - bullseye, unique, hi vel #2, etc. I assume people buy these as collectables, but have no idea where they are sold or traded. Any suggestions?

  2. #2
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    On this board, in Swap & Sell. Or that evil bay.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master



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    Unopened means they are full. If that is the case the powder has significant value. Bullseye and Unique are currently in high demand.

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  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    Thanks folks! I'll see if he wants me to list them here.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master


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    It was not that long ago I was still shooting powder of likely 60's-70's vintage. What you have is likely still good, usable powder, not just collectable. I doubt the empty cans themselves are worth much, but hey, I saw a guy on here selling modern empty ammo boxes, and people snapped them right up, so who knows.

  6. #6
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    I would gladly pay $10-20 for empty antique cans if they were in good enough shape. Anything over that and I would be out.


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  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
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    I have quite a few empty Goex black powder cans. What do you consider antique?

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    a machinest in this area has a powder can in perfect shape that goes back before the civil war. it has a painted picture on it of a black slave hunting for his master. i understand this type of can is worth some real money.

  9. #9
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    Concerning only the unopened cans-- you'd do much better to sell them locally if you can to avoid Haz-Mat shipping fees.

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy
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    Here a pic of the collection over the bench.
    Click image for larger version. 

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  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Der Gebirgsjager View Post
    Concerning only the unopened cans-- you'd do much better to sell them locally if you can to avoid Haz-Mat shipping fees.
    I agree. Haz-Mat would be expensive and requires a special license. Perhaps advertise on Zia's site.
    NRA Endowment member, TSRA Life member, Distinguished Rifleman, Viet Nam Vet

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    I scored a dozen or so old cans, some full, mostly partial, at an estate sale last year. I had no problem finding local people that wanted them but I didn't end up getting any significant values out of them. I got just under what new powder would have been worth I'd say for the most part.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
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    Keep them for deco
    Take a kid to the range, you'll both be glad you did.

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I also have a bunch of old cans.
    I'm repacking the powder in plastic bottles.
    Everything rust here.
    Many are also unopened.
    Hate to open them, but don't want to have the powder go to waste.
    Some of the old shore square one's, I've taken the top off.
    They work well holding stuff on the desk.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master popper's Avatar
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    How about an old good Hercules explosive box? Excellent shape, probably a dynamite box.
    Whatever!

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