Old powders

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Tony k

Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2013
Messages
762
My local hardware store has someone's reloading equipment and supplies on consignment at really good prices. I've been ignoring it for at least a year because I figured it would be overpriced.

Last night I finally looked at the prices and they are very good. I bought some ramshot Silhouette for 19.99 and some W231 for 14.99.

Some of the other powders are old. There's some old Bullseye for $9.99 that I'd be interested in. KIMG0164.JPG

And some W760 KIMG0165.JPG 
The w760 passes the smell test, and they would have no problem with me checking the other if I asked.

I'm hesitant to use some of these old powders. I suspect they break down more than people are willing to admit. Am I wrong? Should I jump on these bargains?

What about primers? There's a bunch of different ones, but most of them look old too. I figured they last forever, but do they?
 
If the Bullseye looks and smells fine it is OK to use and unless you take 20 years to use it will probably serve you well.

Primers last nearly forever.
 
Grab the Bullseye and Unique powders. Alliant has a jar of Bullseye powder that is tested every year against current production powder
to make sure current equals the real deal Bullseye.
That powder is over 100 years old.
 
The only old powder I have noticed a change in is my Green Dot from the 60's it gives lower velocity than new for same weight.
I still use it for plinkers I just note in my load data that it's an old powder recipe because I have to use more than normal.
 
231 has changed a bit over the years, or at least the load data has. At one point load data differentiated between 231 and HP38, where it does no longer. I'm sure others can give exact details.
 
The zip and 231 and Silhouette are much newer. I'm not as worried about those.

KIMG0167.JPG
 
How many years can they have? To me, if the box has never been opened it adds to the pros.

Englishmn refers to a box of 50 years that is losing properties, I guess it is due to the moisture exposition.
 
Franky50 said:
How many years can they have? To me, if the box has never been opened it adds to the pros.

Englishmn refers to a box of 50 years that is losing properties, I guess it is due to the moisture exposition.
Click to expand...

They've all been opened to verify that they are a full pound and to check condition
 
Englishmn wrote:
The only old powder I have noticed a change in is my Green Dot from the 60's it gives lower velocity than new for same weight.
Click to expand...

Interestingly enough, of the powders I had from the late 1970's/early-1980's, my Green Dot is likewise the only one to give significantly lower velocity readings than it did when it was new.
 
Zip is identical in looks to W-231. Performs the same as well. Any difference in color in the pic is light.

Silhouette is good stuff, if it is priced right, get it.

index.php
 
Last edited:
Ran over and got all the rest I'm interested in.
2lbs bullseye @ $9.99/lb
1lb Silhouette @ $14.99/lb
1lb Zip @ $19.99/lb
1lb red dot @ $14.99/lb

I decided to pass on the Unique because I don't like it that much for most cartridges I load for. However, I'm working on a 7.62x25 load, and If I don't like the Silhouette or W296 loads I've worked up, I may try the unique.

Feels good man.
 
Walkalong said:
Zip is identical in looks to W-231. Performs the same as well. Any difference in color in the pic is light.

Silhouette is good stuff, if it is priced right, get it.

index.php
Click to expand...

I'm looking forward to trying them in my 380
 
Go back and get the Unique, you can use it in rifle loadings when using cast bullets.
Also it is the classic powder for 45 Colt.
 
I have an OLD 4 pound can of Hercules Red-dot, never opened, it is the cardboard can. Can't decide if I should open/use it. Judging by the calibers I could use it for, i'd be limited there as well. 9mm, 38Spec, maybe 357, 45 ACP, 45 Colt is about it. 4 pounds is a lot of powder, especially when the rest of the pounder I have is All 1 pounder (Except 700X)
 
KIMG0169.JPG Now that I've amassed all the world's pistol powders, what are the rest of you gonna load?

I'm going to need more bullets and primers!
 
it took me over 40 years to burn up my first cardboard pound of bullseye.Burned perfect to the last grain hdbiker
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top