Surplus powder "4795"?

[plinky]

Several pounds of this powder were among my Dad's reloading supplies. It is an extruded powder of mid to large granule size. I found it repackaged in IMR cans with the original designation overwritten with 4795. I'm pretty sure that it is surplus powder that he got from a gunsmith for use in a .270 Win.

Googling led nowhere. Have you heard of this powder?

My first thought is to dispose of it but figured it was worth asking if it's known and usable first.

 

[NCsmitty]

Are you sure it's not 4895? That would fit the description of extruded surplus powder usable in a 270. Is there any data laying around related to that powder?

NCsmitty

 

[Remo-99]

I'm pretty sure that it is surplus powder

And like NCsmitty said, 4895 would be more likely a surplus powder, used in 7.62x51nato and such (possibly a little fast for 270win, unless lighter bullets are used). 4320, 4350 & 4381 are more suited burning rates for 270win.
Unless it is a surplus powder developed for specialized purpose, i haven't heard of 4795, but then again my surplus knowedge is pretty limited.

 

[plinky]

NCSmitty, that's pretty much what I thought. Either surplus 4895 or some non cannister powder which is very similar. After pouring some samples for comparison though, I'm really scratching my head. The powder appears to match the original number on the can. Six are in IMR4350 cans and that is what the powder looks like. One more pound is in a IMR4064 can and again, that is what it looks like. Of course I'm not going to trust appearance alone.

It all looks different from IMR4895. So maybe it is what the can says. That would be great. But that leaves me wondering what 4795 means. It doesn't seem to relate to the lot number. I have to think Dad had a reason for writing it on the can.

For now I think I'll keep this lot seperate from all other powders till I can formulate a plan to safely test it.

Thanks for your thoughts Smitty and Remo. Sorry I threw you a curve.

 

[ants]

Maybe he bought it April 7, 1995.

 

[rg1]

Could be IMR 4759 and the last two numbers were swapped thinking of the more used 4895?

 

[Remo-99]

Could be IMR 4759 and the last two numbers were swapped

I was thinking the same also, but from memory SR 4759 was quite disiguishable, being a short, large grain with a hole in the centre and used for reduced loads in many rifle and could also be used with surplus pistol rounds.
But it would be hard to mistake it for powders that are normally used in calibres like 270win.

Thanks for your thoughts Smitty and Remo. Sorry I threw you a curve.

no prob, that's why the website is here, trying to help others, i always enjoy a tuff task anyways. lol

 

[plinky]

Well, it is written as one number, but the timeframe is quite possible to make it a date. Makes more sense than anything else at this point.

On SR4759, yeah I have some of that and it's really different. Good thought though.

 

[Clark]

My computer is toast right now, and that is where I have the data, but one can measure the diameter and length of the stick powder granules and get real clues to the identity.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You do realize that powder should be used in the garden and not for reloading, right?

 

[ants]

plinky, if the powder is good we got to figure out how to use it somehow. Dad didn't leave load data behind? There must be a clue somewhere. We can figure it out, I'm sure we can. It's just too hard for me to lose good powder.

How about receipts or shipping labels or invoices from the purchase of the powder. Maybe that gives us a clue on its origin, then we can get the data we need.

We can figure it out. Don't give up too soon.

 

[plinky]

Currently I believe that the powder is the original factory powder from the cans. Not sure what 4795 means. Maybe the date he bought it? 4-7-95?

I agree it's too much to throw out without trying to use it. I'm thinking that I need to find the right cartridge/load to test in, compared to known samples of the powder. A small capacity round where the powder is too slow to hurt anything would be good.

He had lots of components and manuals but I've seen no written data. What made me think this was surplus was he DID have a paper sack of surplus powder years ago. I assumed that he transferred it to cans and this was it.

Clark, that data sounds interesting. Before this, I thought that stick powders looked pretty much alike but comparing them, they all seem to have a distinct appearance. All that I've looked at anyway.

Thanks guys