Powder MFG date?

[myFRAGisFUBAR]

So I was at my LGS store today. It is the only one for about an hour and a half in any direction that attempts to stock reloading supplies/equipment. Usually they only have weird powders in stock that nobody really uses, but today I was shocked to walk in and see a few bottles of Alliant Unique in stock. This is the first time in almost 18 months I have seen this locally. I instantly bought the one pound limit each customer was allowed and went on home. When I got there, I flipped the bottle over and saw what I assume is a date? It had 13 and an arrow pointing to 7 like a clock. If that is the date of manufacture it just seemed mind blowing to me that a powder made in July of last year is just now finding its way to a shelf. Is this normal for powder manufacturers/distributors? Sorry if this a dumb question, but it just struck me as really weird giving the state of the ammo/reloading market that things would sit around this long.

 

[cfullgraf]

If the numbers are cast into the bottle, it probably has to do with when the bottle was made or what mold was used.

Usually there is a dot printed number somewhere on the label or bottle that indicates a variety of information. It may be easy to decipher, it may not. Obviously, the manufacturer knows the code.

I believe powder is manufactured in large batches and it may sit for a while before being packaged. This is definitely true for powders manufactured overseas.

 

[rcmodel]

+1
If its molded in the bottle?
Mold number, or cavity number of the mold.

My most recent 2400 & Unique bottles have the lot number & date printed down the side of the bottles between lable printing in Yellow paint-like ink that rubs off real fast.

rc

 

[Bruno2]

Bottle manufacturing info as stated above.

 

[Twiki357]

Then I would guess that you’re going back tomorrow for another one pound visit. I have only one shop (100 mile round trip) that even attempts to carry any powder any more. They have a ton of powder, but it’s all in 8# jugs for $250 each.