OLD powder

[bomb dropper]

I'm sure this has been brought up before but... I have some old powder my dad gave me about 6 1lb containers a couple imr's a couple hodgdon's a pound of unique and a pound of Hercules. The last time this stuff saw daylight was the early 70's (I didn't know they even had gun powder back then )

Ive heard about smelling it but honestly i don't really know what im smelling for.

I'm planing on loading up about 10rds of various calibers to see if it still goes bang.

 

[Steve C]

It will most likely shoot just fine. Have used lots of old powder and its all gone bang so far.

 

[jcwit]

If it has an ether or solvent smell its OK, if it smells like acid use it for fertilizer for the yard. Another indication of bad powder is a redish vapor when you open the lid/cap.

Acid smell=car battery smell.

 

[bobelk99]

If the powder passes smell test use it. Start at low end of charge range.

I have and still will use 4831 powder that is 65 years old.

 

[bullseye308]

If it has been stored indoors it should be good. Some folks have been using powder stored in the garage for years with no problems.

 

[ranger335v]

"I have and still will use 4831 powder that is 65 years old."

Ditto.

 

[medalguy]

Ditto again. Have fun!

 

[wilkersk]

If you do have to get rid of some, there's something to be said for the shear pleasure of watching a pound of powder go up in a safe little pile, in a safe location, with a nice long, safe powder fuse.

 

[BeerSleeper]

I'm with wilkersk on this one.


POOF!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bomb dropper]

Well I gave them all the nose test and they all smell like solvant or some kind cleaning liquid. im going to go ahead and load up a few of each just to see.

but here is mu next problem. my unique is made by Hercules and not alliant I know that alliant bought out Hercules but is the load data interchangable?

Im trying to load some .45acp with 230gr lead round nose with a cci lg pistol primer and mixed brass. its going to be shot out of a full size 1911.

does anyone have some old pet loads?

 

[NCsmitty]

my unique is made by Hercules and not alliant

If you use the starting load, it won't matter. The burn differences will be negligible at the start load.



NCsmitty

 

[W.E.G.]

If it has been stored indoors, in the original container, and has never gotten wet, it should be good for at least another hundred years.

 

[doubleh]

I'm working on a 3# container of WW 230 that dates from the 1970s. Seems to be just like it was originally. I had to dig out a 70's manual to find loading data for it.