Old components

[Highpower-FClass]

This is not exactly 'Accurate Shooting', but it is reloading related.

A while back I bought a reloading equipment lot from a guy, a Dillon 550, dies and a bunch of other stuff. Included in one of the boxes were four 1lb metal bottles of W231 and some really old CCI primers. From the conditioning of the packaging it is clear that these have not been stored in an ideal environment. The guy said everything had been in his garage for some time (in Houston, which is hot and humid).

The lot number of the powder (179E052B) apparently means it was manufactured in 1991 (or 1971, though that is the first year the metal bottle was introduced). The primers have a lot number of C19W and are marked as being manufactured by 'Omark Industries'. According to the interwebs this makes it likely they were manufactured in March 1974.

I did not have high hopes for either powder or primers looking at the state of the packaging but when I opened one of the bottles and removed the seal it had a nice 'woosh' sound indicating it was still properly sealed. The powder looks great, neutral smell. What really surprised me were the primers. The packaging is yellowed but the primers themselves look like they came off the line last week. Super shiny and the compound looks great.

I have used W231 (new manufacture) in the past for 9mm so I loaded up the following using the W231 from the old bottle:

11 count of Federal brass, 4.1gr W231, new manufacture Winchester SPP, 124gr RMR Nuke, 1.066 OAL
11 count of Federal brass, 4.1gr W231, the old CCI SPP, 124gr RMR Nuke, 1.066 OAL

Did one set with new primers in case the old ones would not go bang.

Took them to the range this morning and chronographed the velocities with a Garmin.

New primers + old powder - Avg 1064 fps, 5.2 SD
Old primers + old powder - Avg 1064.5, 7.6 SD

They all shot great, felt exactly the same and normal.

Attaching pictures of the powder bottle and primers. I thought it was interesting how well these components are working even though they have clearly not been stored in an ideal environment for at least parts of the time since they were manufactured.

 

[kenhwind]

The primers are likely fine.
When I first started loading rifle ammo the only primers, I had were early production CCI. Not sure what to do I primed a case and fired one off. Everything was good.
I also was given some older reloading equipment and again there was some older CCI primers, I used this up too.

The powder is, if as you posted sealed, probably fine too. I'm not sure how to check it out but maybe load up a couple of .38s or 45s and see what happens.

 

[BHP9]

I'm using some LR primers from the '60's and they are going bang at the appropriate time.

Given to me by a friend and they were store correctly.

 

[LPToes]

I have a Speer #9 manual if you need old data to pair with those vintage ingredients.

Looks like there isn't much powder left, as someone sure put a dent in it.

 

[hoz53]

This is not exactly 'Accurate Shooting', but it is reloading related.

A while back I bought a reloading equipment lot from a guy, a Dillon 550, dies and a bunch of other stuff. Included in one of the boxes were four 1lb metal bottles of W231 and some really old CCI primers. From the conditioning of the packaging it is clear that these have not been stored in an ideal environment. The guy said everything had been in his garage for some time (in Houston, which is hot and humid).

The lot number of the powder (179E052B) apparently means it was manufactured in 1991 (or 1971, though that is the first year the metal bottle was introduced). The primers have a lot number of C19W and are marked as being manufactured by 'Omark Industries'. According to the interwebs this makes it likely they were manufactured in March 1974.

I did not have high hopes for either powder or primers looking at the state of the packaging but when I opened one of the bottles and removed the seal it had a nice 'woosh' sound indicating it was still properly sealed. The powder looks great, neutral smell. What really surprised me were the primers. The packaging is yellowed but the primers themselves look like they came off the line last week. Super shiny and the compound looks great.

I have used W231 (new manufacture) in the past for 9mm so I loaded up the following using the W231 from the old bottle:

11 count of Federal brass, 4.1gr W231, new manufacture Winchester SPP, 124gr RMR Nuke, 1.066 OAL
11 count of Federal brass, 4.1gr W231, the old CCI SPP, 124gr RMR Nuke, 1.066 OAL

Did one set with new primers in case the old ones would not go bang.

Took them to the range this morning and chronographed the velocities with a Garmin.

New primers + old powder - Avg 1064 fps, 5.2 SD
Old primers + old powder - Avg 1064.5, 7.6 SD

They all shot great, felt exactly the same and normal.

Attaching pictures of the powder bottle and primers. I thought it was interesting how well these components are working even though they have clearly not been stored in an ideal environment for at least parts of the time since they were manufactured.

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i shot some CCI primers last year in boxes like that LR mag —- they all went off and loadsseemed accurate for wat they were. i also have a sealed can of 760 like that- time to use it up.

 

[Hino895]

That ain’t old.

 

[jk80]

Ive still got some primers and wads from alcan, and they've been closed so long I can't remember when they threw in the towel. Loose packed in tins a bit smaller than skoal cans. Loaded up some a while back just to see if they'd work and they were fine. Got small rifle Winchester primers packed in wooden trays. Tried some of them and they were fine. Still using 4895 military pull down, though it's almost gone. Stored correctly i think stuff lasts longer than we give it credit for.

 

[CJ6]

Pop the lid on a can of powder and see if it smells/looks good (no rust).

 

[ebb]

The reload guy that sells reloaded pistol ammo at all the gun shows around here had some insights on old powder in metal cans. He told me to dump it all in a large bowl and check the bottom insides of the cans for rust. He said if you pour slowly and the bottom has some rust you can catch it and keep the good clean apart from the powder with rust in it. If you save some put it in the newer plastic bottles, and it will be good to go. Sometimes there is so much rust tossing the entire LB is best. I have found (the hard way) that primers will still be sure fire if recently wet but don't store them long term. load them and shoot them up soon. I have tested questionable primers by priming a few cases and putting the primed cases in a revolver and shooting them.

 

[358WCF]

You're lucky to be able to read the lot #. The powder from that era was ink stamped, usually rather sloppily, & smudged to be illegible.

 

[Kalitrazescapee]

This is not exactly 'Accurate Shooting', but it is reloading related.

A while back I bought a reloading equipment lot from a guy, a Dillon 550, dies and a bunch of other stuff. Included in one of the boxes were four 1lb metal bottles of W231 and some really old CCI primers. From the conditioning of the packaging it is clear that these have not been stored in an ideal environment. The guy said everything had been in his garage for some time (in Houston, which is hot and humid).

The lot number of the powder (179E052B) apparently means it was manufactured in 1991 (or 1971, though that is the first year the metal bottle was introduced). The primers have a lot number of C19W and are marked as being manufactured by 'Omark Industries'. According to the interwebs this makes it likely they were manufactured in March 1974.

I did not have high hopes for either powder or primers looking at the state of the packaging but when I opened one of the bottles and removed the seal it had a nice 'woosh' sound indicating it was still properly sealed. The powder looks great, neutral smell. What really surprised me were the primers. The packaging is yellowed but the primers themselves look like they came off the line last week. Super shiny and the compound looks great.

I have used W231 (new manufacture) in the past for 9mm so I loaded up the following using the W231 from the old bottle:

11 count of Federal brass, 4.1gr W231, new manufacture Winchester SPP, 124gr RMR Nuke, 1.066 OAL
11 count of Federal brass, 4.1gr W231, the old CCI SPP, 124gr RMR Nuke, 1.066 OAL

Did one set with new primers in case the old ones would not go bang.

Took them to the range this morning and chronographed the velocities with a Garmin.

New primers + old powder - Avg 1064 fps, 5.2 SD
Old primers + old powder - Avg 1064.5, 7.6 SD

They all shot great, felt exactly the same and normal.

Attaching pictures of the powder bottle and primers. I thought it was interesting how well these components are working even though they have clearly not been stored in an ideal environment for at least parts of the time since they were manufactured.

View attachment 1737954

View attachment 1737955

View attachment 1737951


View attachment 1737953

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I'm using some older than that,has green diamond

 

[hoz53]

This is not exactly 'Accurate Shooting', but it is reloading related.

A while back I bought a reloading equipment lot from a guy, a Dillon 550, dies and a bunch of other stuff. Included in one of the boxes were four 1lb metal bottles of W231 and some really old CCI primers. From the conditioning of the packaging it is clear that these have not been stored in an ideal environment. The guy said everything had been in his garage for some time (in Houston, which is hot and humid).

The lot number of the powder (179E052B) apparently means it was manufactured in 1991 (or 1971, though that is the first year the metal bottle was introduced). The primers have a lot number of C19W and are marked as being manufactured by 'Omark Industries'. According to the interwebs this makes it likely they were manufactured in March 1974.

I did not have high hopes for either powder or primers looking at the state of the packaging but when I opened one of the bottles and removed the seal it had a nice 'woosh' sound indicating it was still properly sealed. The powder looks great, neutral smell. What really surprised me were the primers. The packaging is yellowed but the primers themselves look like they came off the line last week. Super shiny and the compound looks great.

I have used W231 (new manufacture) in the past for 9mm so I loaded up the following using the W231 from the old bottle:

11 count of Federal brass, 4.1gr W231, new manufacture Winchester SPP, 124gr RMR Nuke, 1.066 OAL
11 count of Federal brass, 4.1gr W231, the old CCI SPP, 124gr RMR Nuke, 1.066 OAL

Did one set with new primers in case the old ones would not go bang.

Took them to the range this morning and chronographed the velocities with a Garmin.

New primers + old powder - Avg 1064 fps, 5.2 SD
Old primers + old powder - Avg 1064.5, 7.6 SD

They all shot great, felt exactly the same and normal.

Attaching pictures of the powder bottle and primers. I thought it was interesting how well these components are working even though they have clearly not been stored in an ideal environment for at least parts of the time since they were manufactured.

View attachment 1737954

View attachment 1737955

View attachment 1737951


View attachment 1737953

View attachment 1737952

i found wats left of my old powder and primers. gonna shoot up soon wat will shoot

 

[BHP9]

I'm using some LR primers from the '60's and they are going bang at the appropriate time.

Given to me by a friend and they were store correctly.

I forgot to add that they are CIL.