Old powder: New or Old Data?

[243winxb]

Old & New data-

Accurate No. 9 powder data, in 357 mag., is the worst i have run into.

Many different manufactures & blends of the powder, over the years.

Hodgdon's current powder& data should be a lot safer to use.

 

[cfullgraf]

I started reloading around 1980. I've kept all my reloading data books, including the pamphlets printed by the powder manufacturers, from them and have updated to new ones along the way.

I'm able to see what the data suggested back in the day and compare it to current data.

I rarely have old powder that I did not buy but you never know. I might run into a stash at some time.

 

[41 Mag]

I have powders ranging back to the 70's and still use it for different reasons. I generally use the data from the Era of purchase but have toned some down since the early days of flamethrower loads.

 

[JmacD]

I did use a bit more modern data for my red dot/9mm load. And it wouldn’t cycle the action. Went up to the low end of the original era and then back down to somewhere in between max new and the old. Runs great. Thank you Hercules.

 

[Englishmn]

Generally follow data that matches powder age.

I work up data for cases where I have none.
Green dot in 40 s&w being an example.

 

[Varminterror]

Consult available applicable data. Start low. Work up until the firearm says to stop. Just like any other load development. There is really no reason to assume it’s ever more complicated than that.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Old & New data-

Accurate No. 9 powder data, in 357 mag., is the worst i have run into.

Many different manufactures & blends of the powder, over the years.

Hodgdon's current powder& data should be a lot safer to use.

This right here is what made me think of this topic. With some powders (looking at you Accurate ) different lots may be blended to the same spec’s but that’s just a close approximation - and, it’s only as accurate as the lab doing the blending. Kinda like whiskey; the nose of the distiller. If I have powder from the late’90’s then I look for testing data from the same era - or a few years later since it takes time to bring results to the public.

 

[FROGO207]

I learned from my grandfather how to work up a load from a 30 gal cardboard drum of propellant we could scoop out of in the local hardware store. One said rifle one said shotgun. Also could buy dynamite, caps and fuse from them as well. I will use data from the time it was made after researching to see if any recent safety warnings have been added like using 125 grain 357 bullets with certain propellants. Those I will pay attention to. Some of my 357 and 44 MAG loads are well over todays max but shoot well with no pressure signs so I still use them. The same with some rifle loads. But I dont reccomend them to others on the net. You should work up your load with published data and use it in YOUR firearm where it has been demonstrated to be safe.