Need some help with some old powders.

Canuck44

Canuck44

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Terrace, B.C.
There is an old gun shop in town with some old 1lb canisters of powder I can get fairly cheap. I load the following:

9MM
.45acp
.38spl/.357 mag
.30-30
.30-06
.45 Colt

Here are the powders. Some I recognize some I don't:
Red Dot
Green Dot
Blue Dot
*Norma R1
*Hodgdon HP 38
*Win 571
*Win 630
*Win 680
IMR 4227
*Dupont 5066

Any comments you can make for using these powders for any of the above calibers would be appreciated.

Take Care

Bob
 
Please don't take this as any kind of load recommendations but here goes(this is all from memory)...all these powders are primarily handgun/shotgun powders with only 1 or 2 very light load applications in rifles with Imr 4227 and Ww-680.The red dot, green dot, R-1, HP 38, are fast burning powders and have applications in your handguns for target loads. The Blue dot, Ww 571, ww630 are slower burning handgun/shotshell...in your case good for heavier handgun loads...usually not as clean burning. Ww680 and IMR 4227 are staple powders in the 22Hornet, Imr 4227 sees some use in heavy 44Mag. loads! Not familiar with 5066 but I'm quite sure its another fast burning pistol powder!!
 
Canuck44 said:
There is an old gun shop in town with some old 1lb canisters of powder I can get fairly cheap. I load the following:

9MM
.45acp
.38spl/.357 mag
.30-30
.30-06
.45 Colt

Here are the powders. Some I recognize some I don't:
Red Dot
Green Dot
Blue Dot
*Norma R1
*Hodgdon HP 38
*Win 571
*Win 630
*Win 680
IMR 4227
*Dupont 5066

Any comments you can make for using these powders for any of the above calibers would be appreciated.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...


Ya ,Open the tins slowly. And if there is any brown dustANY tell him thanks NO....Old powder is attractivly priced sometimes,but sometimes also old enough that it could deteriorate. Old powder does not get retarded as one might think,just the opposite my friend..In the spring I got a good deal on 120lbs.80 of which ended up getting spread on the field. Just be careful thats all
 
ben hunchak said:
Please don't take this as any kind of load recommendations but here goes(this is all from memory)...all these powders are primarily handgun/shotgun powders with only 1 or 2 very light load applications in rifles with Imr 4227 and Ww-680.The red dot, green dot, R-1, HP 38, are fast burning powders and have applications in your handguns for target loads. The Blue dot, Ww 571, ww630 are slower burning handgun/shotshell...in your case good for heavier handgun loads...usually not as clean burning. Ww680 and IMR 4227 are staple powders in the 22Hornet, Imr 4227 sees some use in heavy 44Mag. loads! Not familiar with 5066 but I'm quite sure its another fast burning pistol powder!!
Click to expand...

Pretty much nailed it. R1, red dot, HP 38 and bullseye are all pretty similar, and all very fast.

680 is similar to 2400, 296 and 110. Almost no published data for it, but I suspect it would work ok in 357 and 44mag class rounds.
 
Old gun shop. Old powder. Fairly cheap. Not a good combination.

They might be fine or they might not. You have no idea how these powders were stored over the years. Powder is the component most likely compromised by age and storage factors.

Given that powder is, depending on the load, often the least expensive component in a pistol round why risk your own safety to save a penny or two?
 
Let them dispose of it safely. It's their problem, don't make it yours !
Besides, they have the ability to write it off.

Why expose yourself to disappointment or injury !

Would you expect 5 year old (or older ) Penicillin to work ?
How 'bout some "Best Before" ( & long-since expired) Mayonaise ????
 
beretta boy said:
Let them dispose of it safely. It's their problem, don't make it yours !
Besides, they have the ability to write it off.

Why expose yourself to disappointment or injury !

Would you expect 5 year old (or older ) Penicillin to work ?
How 'bout some "Best Before" ( & long-since expired) Mayonaise ????
Click to expand...

OOOOH The image that brings up!!
:eek: :eek:
 
Much of the powder used today is WW 11 stuff. Chances are that powder is fine. If it was sitting in the sun and smells acrid it may be nfg. Otherwise it's worth a try. I have and use win860 and 872 that my dad got in the 60's. Loads in the 308 norma are the same today as they were then. There is a lot of surplus powder burnt in the US every day, but you never know. Mark
 
There is a possibility is would be OK, but my gott you're taking a big chance. Open the containers slowly, to confirm they have remained sealed. If there is a sharp odour (can't describe it - something like nutmeg and gasoline together) get rid of it immediately and safely. As others have said - leave the problem with the old gun shop!!! :)
 
Commercial powders will keep practically indefinitely.

The sharp smell coming off spoiling military powder is nitric acid vapor, which in advanced decomposition can also be seen as a red gas.

Nitric acid is used in the manufacture of all smokeless powder, but at the end of the process it is all removed, with the sometimes exception of military stick (but not ball) powder.

The reason for the occaisional exception with military stick powder is that since it is intended to be used up within, say 10 years, costs can be cut in manufacturing since long term storage is not intended.

I would not be afraid of buying the older canister powders from the gun shop, I use most of those listed and a bunch more that are no longer made. With excellent results.

If you would like load data for a specific powder I have very many loading manuals covering a great deal. Just ask.
 
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