Old Powders

[WNTFW]

So the $16-24 dollar question is are powders unsafe just because they are old.

A guy gave me a pound of Winchester 296, Hercules Blue Dot and some DuPont SR-4756.
The problem is all are of unknown vintage & only the blue dot is unopened.
Price tag of $12.52 on the 296. $10.99 from "Sports Unlimited" on the blue dot and REV. 4-90 on the label. It looks like the '80s style can here: http://www.alliantpowder.com/about/alliant_story.htm
They do not have the "annoying acid smell".

I just don't trust any of it as far as using it. (Assuming I have an application for it.) SR-4756 being the worst case as I haven't found any data on it.

Am I being overly cautious on the 296 & Blue Dot as the load data is available, or am I being sensible by not using it.

There are 4 pounds of SR-4756 so if it is safe the load data is worth finding.

I label powder/primer packages with the date I got them & opened the powder so I know later what to use first. I like that some powders have the mfgr time on the label - not all do though.

Thanks,
WNTFW

 

[Walkalong]

SR-4756 is said to be good stuff. Many folks here really like it. Maybe they can help you out. I have never shot any. There is data out there.

The W-296 is good stuff for full throttle .357, 41 & .44 Mag loads.

I have gotten away from Blue Dot, but it has its uses as well.

Unless it is visually breaking down & smells unusual, it is OK.

Only you can answer if you think it is labeled correctly.

 

[rcmodel]

If it doen't stink like acid it is perfectly fine.
Use it.

BTW: I would be far more concerned about the opened cans really having what they say they have in them, then about the powder being "old"!

rcmodel

 

[jwr_747]

even though you may have never smelled bad powder,you'll know it when you do. acid/vineger smell. jwr

 

[The Bushmaster]

I'm loading some Hercules 2400 in the 1960's metal can and have another that the seal is unbroken. Works great. Ran both Alliant 2400 (new) and Hercules 2400 of equal loadings across my chronograph and it showed that the hercules was about 25 fps slower on average. Not bad for 48 year old powder.

 

[HankB]

I've used a LOT of SR-4756 powder - it fills about the same niche as Unique, but burns cleaner. It's well suited for "full power" loads in 9mmP, .38 Special, and .45 ACP, and will do a good job on somewhat reduced loads in .357 Magnum.

I've also used it in field loads for 12 ga. shotgun.

Be careful, some old pistol data (notable the Speer #8 manual) is MUCH too hot!!

Current data may be found at: http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[CHEVELLE427]

IM using some so old the company has changed cans/lables 3 times now

 

[Steve C]

Ammo thats been stored properly is good for at least 100 years and it has power in it. Powder cans that have been stored properly are probably good for the same amount of time.

 

[nambu1]

Steve is right. If it was stored correctly, there is not a problem. When I get some old powder, I take it outside and put a little on the ground, put a lit match to it and if it flares quickly, it is fine. If it spits and sputers, junk it. I bought a can of Alcan #8, $6 a pound, from a gun shop in my area and took it home for the match test. I went back an bought all he had. I load it in my 357 and 44 mags.