The Obsolete Powder Thread

[GaryL]

I'm not sure how useful this is, but I happen to have several obsolete powders that I use, or will eventually use. I have them because they were either given to me or they were very cheap, and I figured it was worth trying to make them work. And it's very tempting when stuff is in short supply.

What I have learned so far:

HS-5
Works great in 9mm. Have not used it for anything else.
5.2gr with a 124gr plated bullet is very accurate. Clocks in at ~900 fps.
5.7gr with a 115 plated bullet clocks at 1070fps. Not quite as accurate for me.

Hi-Skor Shotshell
Does NOT work in 9mm. I had one load that was accurate, but would not cycle anything. A 4.0gr load does cycle and very nearly fills the case. Couldn't get any accuracy out of anything more - maxed out at 4.4gr and that was probably slightly compressed with 115gr plated.

Powders I have yet to try Win 450LS, Alcan AL-120.
I also have 1/2lb of Win540, but found out here that is the same as HS-6.

 

[oldpapps]

I load jacketed .44 mags with Olin 630 and have for years, many years. I bought an 8 pound keg, one of those tall metal cans with a screw top. I have maybe 5 pounds left. (My light 44s are loaded with 231 and my lead heavys with 2400.)

But then I was looking for something to use in .300 Blackout and I worked out several loadings using 630. Now one of my favored loads with 110 grain bullets is using the Olin 630. And only 5 pounds or so left

Obsolete or not, the powder still has a place and can be used with great results.

 

[wlkjr]

I have a pound of HS7 from the early 90's that I got for $11. I haven't used it yet but may have to when I run out of Titegroup.

 

[kerreckt]

Still have some w680. Use it for my 7.62x39 loads. I'll have to figure out something else when I run out. I hear AA1680 is similar but haven't tried it.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

My neighbor gave me 1.5lbs of 452AA. He said 4.ogr in 45acp with 200gr cast and 3.5gr in .357mag cast. I'd never heard of the powder.

 

[Blue68f100]

The old 452AA is a shotgun powder used in the 60-80's for 12ga. It is now WST. It is a Great powder for the 45acp, what I use. It's a fast burn powder like BE but burns extremely clean.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

The old 452AA is a shotgun powder used in the 60-80's for 12ga. It is now WST. It is a Great powder for the 45acp, what I use. It's a fast burn powder like BE but burns extremely clean.

Thanks for the info. He didnt say anything about it,just how he loaded it.

 

[GaryL]

Glad to see I'm not the only one.
Hopefully a few more people will add their knowledge as well.

 

[bobinoregon]

I'm slowly working my way through a 1980's vintage 12 lb can of HI Skor 700X, it works like a champ in .45 acp and a couple other calibers I shoot. Nothing wrong with cheap powder if it's good.

 

[WaywardSon]

I'm slowly working my way through a 1980's vintage 12 lb can of HI Skor 700X, it works like a champ in .45 acp and a couple other calibers I shoot. Nothing wrong with cheap powder if it's good.

Quick question if you don't mind. Does your 700X have yellow flakes mixed in it? In the manner that Red Dot, Blue Dot etc. have colored flakes mixed in with them? Asking because I have two cans of 700X & one has the colored flakes and one does not.

I have an old keg of Alcan AL-7 that I am slowly using up in .38 Special loads. Probably 40 years old but still works fine.

 

[bobinoregon]

My 700X does have yellow flakes in it, not a lot but they are in there.

 

[reddrumtoo]

powder

I have yellow flakes in my 700-x also.

 

[WaywardSon]

Thank you both for your responses. Of the two cans I have, one was bought new by me several years ago...probably early '90's. No yellow flakes in it. I have used this powder for reduced loads with cast bullets in .243...worked well.

The second can I bought a couple of months ago...it was traded in at a LGS along with a bunch of other stuff & it was not quite full...so was a little leery of it when I saw the yellow flakes. More willing to give it a try now.

 

[FROGO207]

I have 3 of the large square cans of 700-X and were factory sealed when I purchased them years ago. All have the same lot #. The one that I opened had some yellow flakes inside as well. It works well using current loading data for 700-X. I load mostly 230 grain 45 ACP with it lately.

FWIW I use data for the period the propellant was produced to load with if it is different than current data just in case the formulation of that particular propellant is different.

 

[rockhopper46038]

I scored 3 unopened jugs of WAP at a gun shop this week, and have a gentleman who is going to give me a jug of Vectan SP2. The WAP is obsolete (although I've come to understand it may be repackaged now as Ramshot Silhoutte); I'm not sure if the Vectan is, but it sure is hard to find. Both are good for high velocity 9mm and 38 Super.

 

[IROCZ]

I was given a pound of Hi Vel No2. From what I gather it is close to 3031. I'm still looking for more info before I try it.