Deteriorated Powder.

[bearhunter]

Silverback: This may be of interest:

Load data supplied with Ammomart N44 powder (Nobel manufactured) recommended reducing charges by 6%, from comparable IMR 3031 loads. As you've already noted, it's a bit more energetic. I've used lots of it in a variety of calibers, including .45-70. The muzzle flash and sharp report takes a bit of getting used to. But overall, a good performing powder, in my opinion.

N44 was listed as being approximately the equivalent of IMR3031 but IMR4064 would be a better match

 

[Silverback]

Silverback: This may be of interest:

Load data supplied with Ammomart N44 powder (Nobel manufactured) recommended reducing charges by 6%, from comparable IMR 3031 loads. As you've already noted, it's a bit more energetic. I've used lots of it in a variety of calibers, including .45-70. The muzzle flash and sharp report takes a bit of getting used to. But overall, a good performing powder, in my opinion.

Thanks for the reply, I am going to get my 45-70 load back down to the original velocity of my 3031 load, it is just a plinking load for target shooting. Your 6% recommendation is probably a good start.

 

[Silverback]

#44 powder came into Higginson's in several different lots.

Each of the containers had the lot # on it as well as some information.

#44 lots were mostly appx 5% faster than IMR3031, so for those that have it, without the reloading tables supplied by Ammomart at the time, work up your loads.

I still have some of that #44 powder as well and use it for 303 British loads.

It's fine but I always keep it in metal tins, because when it turns, it turns fast and rusts any metal around it, as well as giving off a very pungent acidic smell.

It's a very good powder but it's also very temperature sensetive.

Thanks for the information.

 

[mbogo3]

I bought some IMR 4831 in Whitehorse once and when I opened the tin the same year it was acid like odour and hard as a rock.The other 3 lbs were fine?

 

[Threemorewishes]

I had some CLAYS deteriorate from improper storage (lid was not sealed correctly, my fault) so I sprinkled it on the lawn.

 

[MajorMalcontent]

I had two old tins of powder go bad; rusty colour on the granules, and rusty dust in the air when I poured them. One was IMR4227 and the other IMR4198. They both were probably about 35 years old.

 

[sikwhiskey]

true, but I still have cans of 3031 from the 80's that still run fine. I live in a windy dessert, Southern AB.