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What era would this powder be from?

Not sure about how it smells. Knowing nothing about it probably makes one lean again trying it out I'd assume. Is that wrong thinking?
I’m hoping that “again “ is a typo and you meant AGAINST.
If so, that is correct thinking. Identifying a powder by smell or appearance is irresponsible and dangerous.
 
Late 50's into the 60's, we used to buy it bulk from one local gunsmith at $.50 a lb. Good times and good powder.
Load a few cases with your find, or his and I bet it will work just fine.
I'm still using the stuff with fine results. Mine is in the old Hodgdon cans with the homespun labels. The data on the back of the cans show maximum charges that are crazy high for these days. jd
 
I agree with Laurie. I recall reading the hodgdon started out selling surplus ww2 powder in paper bags. I started loading in 74 and never saw it in bags
 
I’m hoping that “again “ is a typo and you meant AGAINST.
If so, that is correct thinking. Identifying a powder by smell or appearance is irresponsible and dangerous.
Against is exactly what I meant. My typo.
 
So I read the address from the box in the picture and it was addressed to davenport grange supply it looks like. Small town west of spokane. All good info. Consensus seems to be from WWII pulldown and shipped out in the 60s after 63. Pretty cool. Thanks for all the info
Jameson
 
I got a few bags of it from an estate. Threw a bag in a burn barrel and was less than impressed when it burned. The rest of the bags followed with the same result. Use 80 year old powder? Come on, powder does not cost that much.
 
Yeah, it does. Do the math. With applicable tax added nearly $100. per pound.o_O
....and out of stock!

 
How old is too old?

Be interesting to hear what the manufacturers say. They may want some
for display or testing.

I have old 4350 (not that old) and am half afraid to ask about shelf life.
 
I began handloading in 1965. Where I bought powder, H4831 was in 1 lb. cardboard canisters. I don't recall the cost, but it seems most powders were around $2.00, maybe a little less.
 
I got a few bags of it from an estate. Threw a bag in a burn barrel and was less than impressed when it burned. The rest of the bags followed with the same result. Use 80 year old powder? Come on, powder does not cost that much.
if you knew that gunpowder burns at a faster rate under pressure , you would understand what you saw was normal.
 
I've still got some powder from ww2 pulldown. When I bought it the gunshop filled a bag with the amount you wanted from a bulk container. I'd come home and put it in a coffee can. The last of it I bought came in a snap lid Tupperware type container. Still good after all these years. I did transfer it to a re labeled powder can years ago.
 
The guy I bought from had a line of 100 pound kegs along one wall in his garage. Rifle powder and shotgun powder. You told him what you want and he would measure it out into a brown paper sack.
 
The original owner of most of my ancient powder had cleaned and used the old one gallon Wesson Oil cans. Pretty much the same type of can that a gallon of thinner, turpentine, etc used to come in. They worked great, and that powder shows no sign of age, even 70 or 80 years later. jd
 

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