Old Gun Powder

[Reloading Bum]

I found these in one of my diseased relatives' gun rooms. Stored in a cool/dry area, never opened, all full. Gauging by the looks of these, some of these gun powders are over 30 years old. I haven't opened any of them yet and I do plan to have a look but when I do, if the powder turns out to be good still, I plan to use it right after I open it. I figure if I got this lucky, no sense on pushing that luck.

 

[gravelyctry]

I just finished off a jar (bottle?) of Reloader 15 that looks like the canisters of reloader 7 that you have. It worked well for me and rounds were similar velocity to much newer 1 pounders of R15.

 

[itchyTF]

Love the price stickers!

 

[RegionRat]

My guess is plus or minus a few years, you are looking at stuff from about 1980 - 1990 for the RE-7 and earlier than this for the H380, just basing my guess on the packaging, prices, and old memories. Those IMR cans hung in inventory for a while before they also switched to the plastic jars like with the Hodgdon powders.

I have cans like those myself and vaguely remember the fuss when the packaging changed.

I liked those IMR cans, they were sturdy and easy to handle. Those paper cans with the RE-7 is how all the AA powders and such came, with those pull up spouts. Those were also easy to live with.

I wasn't a fan of the H380 container style and was glad when they moved to the small plastic jars because the mouth was larger and you could pour out and in much better.

Thanks for the flashback and sorry to hear about your relative's passing.

 

[jackson1]

Still enjoying a paper can of Bullseye. Since viewing all the pictures of old powder containers on Accurate Shooter, I went through my stuff and moved the really old stuff (pre 2000) to the front of the line, all of my powders. Just this past week, I loaded up the last of my IMR 4350, for some fire forming loads. Pitched just under 100 grains from the bottom of the can. Got 3 or 4 more cans of IMR powder that I will attempt to use in the up coming year. Just a fact of a well spent life as a handloader and shooter. Been through several cycles of shortages and have learned to be prepared. Waste not want not. Sorry to hear of your relatives passing. Hopefully my sons will some day have a similar find, under better circumstances than we currently find ourselves.

 

[rogn]

Yeah, I've got those too. Except one can is marked $7.15. Just hadn't found use for some of them. Lately found H380 works well in R375 with 235s., but how many of them do I want to shoot today>

 

[Reloading Bum]

I just finished off a jar (bottle?) of Reloader 15 that looks like the canisters of reloader 7 that you have. It worked well for me and rounds were similar velocity to much newer 1 pounders of R15.

Still enjoying a paper can of Bullseye. Since viewing all the pictures of old powder containers on Accurate Shooter, I went through my stuff and moved the really old stuff (pre 2000) to the front of the line, all of my powders. Just this past week, I loaded up the last of my IMR 4350, for some fire forming loads. Pitched just under 100 grains from the bottom of the can. Got 3 or 4 more cans of IMR powder that I will attempt to use in the up coming year. Just a fact of a well spent life as a handloader and shooter. Been through several cycles of shortages and have learned to be prepared. Waste not want not. Sorry to hear of your relatives passing. Hopefully my sons will some day have a similar find, under better circumstances than we currently find ourselves.

Words of wisdom!, thanks for chiming in.

 

[jsn]

Turn your IMR cans upside down and look at the lot number, the second and third digit on some that I own are the production year.

I had to dump 2 cans of 3031 that were 20+ years old, the coating on the inside of the cans had flaked away and there was rust on the can wall and a red dust was present when pouring it out.

I wouldn't open them until you start to use them.

 

[Big Mc]

Turn your IMR cans upside down and look at the lot number, the second and third digit on some that I own are the production year.

I had to dump 2 cans of 3031 that were 20+ years old, the coating on the inside of the cans had flaked away and there was rust on the can wall and a red dust was present when pouring it out.

I wouldn't open them until you start to use them.

Yes sir if you see red . It is time to pitch it. Just my two cents Tommy Mc

 

[D-4297]

I have one of those metal cans of IMR 4831 , in a orange & white can . It is in pristine condition , with no rust anywhere on the can . Came in a box of reloading stuff I bought from a friend . Hasn't been opened to my knowledge , and it takes up very little space on my powder shelf . Maybe it will become important to someone , the way things are headed lately .

 

[Reloading Bum]

Turn your IMR cans upside down and look at the lot number, the second and third digit on some that I own are the production year.

I had to dump 2 cans of 3031 that were 20+ years old, the coating on the inside of the cans had flaked away and there was rust on the can wall and a red dust was present when pouring it out.

I wouldn't open them until you start to use them.

I see it now. 1989. Thanks!

 

[Ron Gorski]

pour it on your lawn for fertilizer.

 

[Ironman308]

Pour it in you brass and shoot it.

 

[nilebartram]

open can, if your nostrils fare out and it does not smell sweet, but it in the garden or lawn

 

[whatsupdoc]

Check the inside of the can for rust and check for any abnormal odor, if it smells
funny or if the inside of the can is rusty or breaking down DUMP IT.

Last year I went through 2 cans of IMR4831 from 1984 in my 6mm Creedmoor.
It ran great.

Stats - Average 3059.62 fps
Stats - Highest 3073.63 fps
Stats - Lowest 3047.81 fps
Stats - Ext. Spread 25.82 fps
Stats - Std. Dev 8.64 fps

Shot ID V0 V10
1 3074 3053
2 3061 3041
3 3065 3044
4 3056 3035
5 3056 3035
6 3057 3034
7 3054 3033
8 3073 3053
9 3048 3028
10 3053 3033

 

[Ron Blain]

Been running powders and primers from the early to mid 90s and it loads and shoots just fine. AA2495, IMR 4895 and IMR 4064. Long as it passes a color and sniff test It works just fine.

Ron

 

[biggun2869]

The only 1 of those that I personaly had trouble with was the 380. I think it might have been stored wrong though. It was a gun shop though and he gave me my money back for it. Long time ago

 

[edwardware]

Looks good, I've used older without issue.

It should smell like solvent (thinner, acetone, ethanol, etc). It should not smell like ammonia, that's bad.

 

[Reloading Bum]

Is there a way to determine the 'age' of these primers by this stamp? They have been stored well enough that the ink stamp is still very clear. The primers themselves never exposed to air until now, box clean, not worn or bending, corner of the box is still very square, etc. These have been in the same location, with little temperature fluctuation for decades. In the first picture, you can see the following ink stamp: 061-49-1006

 

[Catfur]

Properly manufactured, properly stored smokeless gunpowder will last decades or centuries (it's plastic! really!). I know people still shooting WWII pulldown IMR 4831.

If it's not red, if it doesn't smell like bleach-on-steroids, it's probably good. Shoot it.