I been reloading for a couple decades, and have used a lot of different powders, but now I'm going through some OLD powders I got from an estate several years ago.
One can is Hodgdon's Rifle Powder S-4198, in the old yellow-and-red can. On the back it says "Use regular 4198 canister data (This is SALVAGE 4198)".
It looks and smells fine, and looks like 4198 (grain size and shape). I decided to use it up, and work up a plinking load in .223 with 55gr. fmj pulled bullets for a mini14. I loaded a few rounds with the heaviest being 21.5gr., but the highest velocity was only 2700 fps.
I'm sure this is very old powder, likely WWII surplus; the can looks like it's from the 40's or 50's. It's just one pound of powder and I know there will be replies such as "dump it" and "makes great fertilizer". The value of the powder is not a big deal, mostly I'm curious.
Questions for the gunpowder experts out there: was surplus 4198 different from modern H4198?
Can powder loose its strength over the decades without any visible sign of deterioration?
One can is Hodgdon's Rifle Powder S-4198, in the old yellow-and-red can. On the back it says "Use regular 4198 canister data (This is SALVAGE 4198)".
It looks and smells fine, and looks like 4198 (grain size and shape). I decided to use it up, and work up a plinking load in .223 with 55gr. fmj pulled bullets for a mini14. I loaded a few rounds with the heaviest being 21.5gr., but the highest velocity was only 2700 fps.
I'm sure this is very old powder, likely WWII surplus; the can looks like it's from the 40's or 50's. It's just one pound of powder and I know there will be replies such as "dump it" and "makes great fertilizer". The value of the powder is not a big deal, mostly I'm curious.
Questions for the gunpowder experts out there: was surplus 4198 different from modern H4198?
Can powder loose its strength over the decades without any visible sign of deterioration?