Need data for older dupont bl-2 powder

[donttellthewife]

My computerless neigborhood friend came to me for advice on loading Dupont bl-2 powder. It seems he has aquired a 20lb keg of it for the unbelievible price of free. Because it's a older powder he can not find any loading data for it. I am not sure if one can use hodgdon bl-c2 data or not. Can any one point me to a online source for this kind of data or any of the older reloading books that would have this data in them.

He can keep the powder but must return the empty keg ( has some collectors value I guess ). I also need advice on what type of containers to transfer the powder to and perhaps a source as well. I have already given him my empty powder containers but it will be a while before I have that many empties

Thanks, Ron

 

[Sunray]

How has the keg been stored? Was it sealed when he got it? What material is the keg made out of? Metal with no rust?
Dupont stopped making powders in 1988. If the keg has been sealed all that time, it might be ok to use. If it hasn't been sealed and smells funny, use it as fertilizer.
"...my empty powder containers..." Mucho dangerous unless they're BL-C(2) cans. A label maker should fix it though.
Mind you, I have a 1977 published Hodgdon manual that lists BL-C(2). It indicates that BL-C(2) was originally a Hodgdon powder. If you want the data, shoot me an e-mail and I'll send it. [email protected]

 

[donttellthewife]

It seems I miss wrote the info in my first post the powder he has is marked BL-C and the only info he has is for BL-C2. The powder came from a rifle range in the local area that he is a member of. I beleive that at one time members could load their own ammo at the range but that ended with the invention of lawers and tort laws, so the powder was put into storage by people knowledgeable in these matters. He is in his 70s and has been reloading for last the last 40 years, so it's a safe to say he'll check the powder for quality. I'll walk over and take a look at it myself tomorrow. The containers I gave him were a 4lb WIN231 plastic and a 8lb IMR4895 plastic, with the labels removed. I figure if it a good container for those compaines it should be good for his needs, but he will need more.
It sure is nice to have another reloader so close by to compare notes with, heck even the guy who lives between us is going to start reloading. After I see what he has told me about I'll let you know if I can use your data.

Thank you, Ron

 

[Jim Watson]

Bl-C is not the same as Bl-C2.
They were surplus powders made in and after WW II by Olin-Winchester and sold by Hodgdon. Ball C (changed to Bl-C because Winchester objected to Hodgdon using their trade name, which is why Hodgdon powders are now labeled "spherical") was the first lot and when it ran out, Hodgdon started selling Ball C, Lot 2 (Bl-C2) which is enough different to have its own loading data. Enough different that people with pet loads were scrounging old cans of Bl C long after the changeover.

I'll see if I can find anything on Bl C.


Later...
The change from Bl C to Bl C2 was in 1962. I found a few loads for Bl C in Handloaders Digest of that year. It appears to be slightly faster than Bl C2; loads are the same or less depending on caliber.
What would you be loading with it?

 

[donttellthewife]

I took a look at the keg of powder today. The metal keg has seen better days (some rust and dents) but the powder looks and smells like new. I am perrty sure this is surplus powder as the labeling is just a circular label around the pour spout with nothing else on the keg. Part of the label has been covered with masking tape so I couldn't read everything on it other than Dupont, the tape has Ball C written on it The lid on the pour spout is a type I've never seen, it is a metal lid that snaps around the rim by pinching in on the sides, to open it you push down on the center and it unlocks off the rim

He will be loading a couple of different rounds ( hopefuly )
30-06
308
223
22-50
others if data is avaliable

Jim any data you have could share would be greatly appceiated.

Thanks , Ron

 

[Bad Flynch]

First--DuPont did not make ball powder, so someone has put this stuff in a DuPont can and relabeled it. Therefore, be cautious.

Second--BL-C was a genuinely good accuracy powder for some of the old benchrest calibers, but there was something "funny" about it; I do not remember what. Best bet is to inqiure over at http://www.benchrest.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=6

Someone over there will know.

 

[donttellthewife]

Thanks for the heads up, I'll pass this info along

Ron