Really old powder.

[motorcarman]

I bought a BUNCH of powder from an estate sale years ago.

Most of it was a few years old to 20 years old. (price on the container gave it a guestimate date)

There were some older metal canisters and the price was amazing. ($1.78 for the pound)

I took a chance and loaded up three 12 gauge lite load 3/4 oz. shot with 16 gr Hi-Skor 700-X to see if they would cycle my Rem model 11.

I stepped out the door of my shop and aimed at the ground.

The first one went pop and the shot overcard hit the dirt.
The shot kinda rolled down the barrel and the wad never made it out.

Same thing with the other 2.

The powder never ignited. The primer did all it could do to push the shell empty.

I don't know what year a pound of powder was $1.78 but it was about $10 per pound in the 70s?

Anybody need an antique can or two of powder for display?

 

[deemus]

I’d like one.

 

[motorcarman]

I’d like one.

Since the powder does NOT burn, technically it is NOT a HAZMAT?

 

[deemus]

Can you dump it out prior to mailing since it doesn’t burn?

Problem solved!

 

[Vaquero]

It's fertilizer now.

 

[Dawico]

Pile up a little powder and try to light it (just because it's fun to see, if it actually lights).

Powder makes a very good fertilizer.

 

[single stack]

I sold one of those little cans (empty) a year or so ago. Well, sort of. I posted a pick in a thread about old reloading stuff and someone offered me $5 for it. After postage I came out $1 ahead and made someone happy.

 

[motorcarman]

I’d like one.

The USPS tracking shows DELIVERED.
Did you get it?

 

[Otto_Mation]

I used to reload for everything that I shot in the 80's and 90's. I was always told that if powder was bad it would smell different. I don't know if that is true, because I never had any go bad on me. I am just curious, does it smell bad or strange?

ETA: That is some really old powder. I found this on the interwebs. "In 1933 the MSRP for various smokeless IMR powders was $1.70/lb"

 

[Lonesome Dove]

Use it. I have 3 cans of World War 2 powder I use all the time. Had more but sold them. Had a huge tin can like 3-4 gallons of surplus powder someone gave me $300 for it years ago. He said it would last him his lifetime.

 

[deemus]

The USPS tracking shows DELIVERED.
Did you get it?

Been working on my house all week and didn’t check the box.

 

[Polkwright]

I used 700X for .38 wadcutter loads in the late 70's and as I recall it was about $8.XX something a pound. I still use it some. During Shortage I it was one powder you could find.

 

[TXTad]

Use it. I have 3 cans of World War 2 powder I use all the time. Had more but sold them. Had a huge tin can like 3-4 gallons of surplus powder someone gave me $300 for it years ago. He said it would last him his lifetime.

Stored properly, powder will be fine for decades. Improperly and it won't last long at all.