Any guesses as to how old? - The Firearms Forum

etcher1 · 05-30-2012, 07:00 PM

While digging through my stuff to get set up reloading again, I found this.

The one on the left is about 27 years old. The one on the right is new. I did load up 18 rounds of 44 mag with the old stuff. It all went off like it was brand new. Starting to get back into the groove of reloading.

Anybody else have stuff this old or older?

Hammerslagger · 05-30-2012, 07:07 PM

Alliant still has some Unique from the first production lot, over 100 years ago, that is stored under water. Periodicity they have dried a sample and tested it. About 4 years ago, I was advised that it is still within chemical specification.

As long as "Unique" propellant is stored in a cool place and shows no obvious signs of deterioration, it should be safe and good to load.

zant · 05-30-2012, 07:10 PM

A friend of mines grandfather bought 3-100lb kegs of the orig H4831...and I have about 5lbs left I've been using in a 300H&H Imp for years....

Bindernut · 05-30-2012, 10:41 PM

I used to buy Alliant powders in those paper/foil cans in the early 90s and I think I've seen em on the shelf just a few years ago too. It's not a real old one since it has the pop-up plastic spout. The old ones had a metal screw-top lid
Not sure when they made the switch to the plastic cans but it's fairly recently.
What is the price on it?

Lemme go dig around on the back shelf...
The 4198 isn't all that old. Got 4 or 5 of em from an auction sale a couple years back. Can't read the price tag on it, but I think it says $5.xx. The lot # is from Jun of '74.
The P Pyrodex came from the same auction sale as the 4198. The powder still looks okay, but I'm not a Pyrodex shooter so it's still sitting unused in my locker.
I've had that Bullseye can since I was in high school back in the late 80s...and it was old then. No pricetag or lot number on it anymore that I can read. It's got a 5-digit ZIP code on the address though so it isn't that old either.

etcher1 · 05-31-2012, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindernut

I used to buy Alliant powders in those paper/foil cans in the early 90s and I think I've seen em on the shelf just a few years ago too. It's not a real old one since it has the pop-up plastic spout. The old ones had a metal screw-top lid
Not sure when they made the switch to the plastic cans but it's fairly recently.
What is the price on it?

.

My 1# can was $12.55.

DixieLandMan · 05-31-2012, 07:58 AM

I have several old metal cans as well. The only one I have a recent picture of is this one. The price says $12.75 and that current powder is over $20 now. Again, I am not sure when they switched to plastic. I have old style bullets that are no longer made too.

soundguy · 05-31-2012, 08:15 AM

when i get home i'll take a pic of an old imr 4064 can i had.. metal lid, paper label on the rectangular can..

Little Rooster · 06-01-2012, 07:50 AM

I have a old Bullseye can like the one above. I just looked no price or date on it. I have used powder over 20 years old.

Alpo · 06-01-2012, 08:32 AM

Don't know when Dupont switched to plastic, but I've got three cans of 3031 I bought from Graf and Sons, in 06. Red metal cans.

As for Bindernut's can of Bullseye - I've never seen Hercules powder in a metal can. The first stuff I bought, when I began loading in '77, was Unique in a paper can with the pull-up plastic spout. Winchester used to come in a metal can, but I've never seen Hercules in one, before.

Hawg · 06-01-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etcher1

While digging through my stuff to get set up reloading again, I found this.

The one on the left is about 27 years old. The one on the right is new. I did load up 18 rounds of 44 mag with the old stuff. It all went off like it was brand new. Starting to get back into the groove of reloading.

Anybody else have stuff this old or older?

I bought a can of Unique in a can just like that but it had a metal screw cap back in 76 or 77. I used about a third of it and threw the rest away. Haven't bought any Unique since.

soundguy · 06-01-2012, 01:29 PM

here's that dupont 4064 can pic...

joncutt87 · 06-01-2012, 06:20 PM

I have a box of peterson .22's

bobski · 06-01-2012, 06:54 PM

ahhh 4064. the military rifle leg match powder of choice for 7.62 nato. ahhhh......

BobMcG · 06-01-2012, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etcher1

Anybody else have stuff this old or older?

Yes, plenty of older cans of powder. Some from the '50s ,'60s, & '70s.

05-30-2012, 07:00 PM	#1
etcher1 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 23	Any guesses as to how old? While digging through my stuff to get set up reloading again, I found this. The one on the left is about 27 years old. The one on the right is new. I did load up 18 rounds of 44 mag with the old stuff. It all went off like it was brand new. Starting to get back into the groove of reloading. Anybody else have stuff this old or older? -->

05-30-2012, 07:07 PM	#2
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: Any guesses as to how old? Alliant still has some Unique from the first production lot, over 100 years ago, that is stored under water. Periodicity they have dried a sample and tested it. About 4 years ago, I was advised that it is still within chemical specification. As long as "Unique" propellant is stored in a cool place and shows no obvious signs of deterioration, it should be safe and good to load.

05-30-2012, 07:10 PM	#3
zant V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: S.Al Posts: 248	Re: Any guesses as to how old? A friend of mines grandfather bought 3-100lb kegs of the orig H4831...and I have about 5lbs left I've been using in a 300H&H Imp for years....

05-30-2012, 10:41 PM	#4
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,447	Re: Any guesses as to how old? I used to buy Alliant powders in those paper/foil cans in the early 90s and I think I've seen em on the shelf just a few years ago too. It's not a real old one since it has the pop-up plastic spout. The old ones had a metal screw-top lid Not sure when they made the switch to the plastic cans but it's fairly recently. What is the price on it? Lemme go dig around on the back shelf... The 4198 isn't all that old. Got 4 or 5 of em from an auction sale a couple years back. Can't read the price tag on it, but I think it says $5.xx. The lot # is from Jun of '74. The P Pyrodex came from the same auction sale as the 4198. The powder still looks okay, but I'm not a Pyrodex shooter so it's still sitting unused in my locker. I've had that Bullseye can since I was in high school back in the late 80s...and it was old then. No pricetag or lot number on it anymore that I can read. It's got a 5-digit ZIP code on the address though so it isn't that old either. Attached Images Last edited by Bindernut; 05-30-2012 at 10:58 PM..

05-31-2012, 07:58 AM	#6
DixieLandMan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 607	Re: Any guesses as to how old? I have several old metal cans as well. The only one I have a recent picture of is this one. The price says $12.75 and that current powder is over $20 now. Again, I am not sure when they switched to plastic. I have old style bullets that are no longer made too. Attached Images

05-31-2012, 08:15 AM	#7
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,441	Re: Any guesses as to how old? when i get home i'll take a pic of an old imr 4064 can i had.. metal lid, paper label on the rectangular can..

06-01-2012, 07:50 AM	#8
Little Rooster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Old Dominion Posts: 564	Re: Any guesses as to how old? I have a old Bullseye can like the one above. I just looked no price or date on it. I have used powder over 20 years old. __________________ "Far better it is to dare mighty things, than to take rank with those poor, timid spirits who know Victory Nor Defeat" Teddy Roosevelt

06-01-2012, 08:32 AM	#9
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,661	Re: Any guesses as to how old? Don't know when Dupont switched to plastic, but I've got three cans of 3031 I bought from Graf and Sons, in 06. Red metal cans. As for Bindernut's can of Bullseye - I've never seen Hercules powder in a metal can. The first stuff I bought, when I began loading in '77, was Unique in a paper can with the pull-up plastic spout. Winchester used to come in a metal can, but I've never seen Hercules in one, before. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

06-01-2012, 01:29 PM	#11
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,441	Re: Any guesses as to how old? here's that dupont 4064 can pic...

06-01-2012, 06:20 PM	#12
joncutt87 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Kannapolis, NC Contributor Posts: 1,419	Re: Any guesses as to how old? I have a box of peterson .22's __________________ Four words to live by: aequitas, veritas, decus, sacrificium

06-01-2012, 06:54 PM	#13
bobski Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: va., conn., & mo. Posts: 948	Re: Any guesses as to how old? ahhh 4064. the military rifle leg match powder of choice for 7.62 nato. ahhhh......