Anyone know when Winchester stopped putting 231 in metal cans. I picked up three cans at a recent gun show. All cans look good. All three have numbers/letters on the bottoms and I am wondering if anyone knows how to decipher them? Thanks for you help.

I am still using 231 from metal cans myself. The number on the bottom is the lot number, so there is nothing to decipher other than trying to match lots when buying more than one can at a time.

I don't recall right off hand when they switched to the smaller rectangular plastic cans, but its's been a while now. As long as the seal under the cap of the cans you are looking at isn't broken, the powder should be good for a very long time. I have several cans of older powders on the shelf that are at least 20 years old, and they are just as good as the day I bought them according to the look, smell, and the chrono.

I have two of the old Winchester load data booklets.
Both show 231 in metal canisters.
The second edition is dated 1975.
The eleventh edition is dated 1991.
Apparently the metal container has been around for awhile.

Bruce

I'm not sure when Winchester stopped using metal cans but one of my local dealers still has some W231 and W296 on the shelf in metal cans.

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I have a 14th edition W-W reloading manual which pictures powder in round metal cans on the front cover. On the inside is an add for ball powders with a copyright date of 1995. I do not know how much later than 1995 they used the metal cans.

I have used a lot of 231 over the years. It was introduced just before I got into reloading, (back in the 70s).

It should be just fine. I liked the old metal cans myself. Hercules, at the time, used cardboard canisters. They were just fine also.

Powder lasts longer than we humans do. This is true for smokeless powders, but even truer for black powder. Black powder can sit on the bottom of the ocean for centuries, and still be good. If you find your great great great grandfather's pistol be careful. It may still go off just fine.

I am still using up an old can of 231 that I got from a retired reloader.
Make up a few test rounds. It should be good to go.

I know the engineer who worked for Winchester who designed the new plastic containers for their powder. As I recall the change happened in the mid- to late-90s, like around 1995-1997.

I learned some very interesting info about all the DOT regulations that the new plastic cans had to meet before Winchester could switch over to them. The best part of knowing him was that he had to ship a LOT of samples around to see how the packaging held up to the shipping and handling, and I got to be one of the receivers of these tests. Of course, they were only interested in the containers, so I sent them back to him empty... :-)

I still have an 8lb can of 296 I purchased new in Jan. 1996.

My first powder purchase was WW231 in a metal can in 1994

Ahhh, the good old days :-) W231 & 296 in metal cans (along with PB) and Hercules Bullseye and Unique in those round cardboard containers; seems like it was only 35 or 40 years ago......Man, I feel old!

I have this sitting in the window. Brings back pleasant memories.

Attached Images

Old 231 (Small).jpg (74.1 KB, 50 views)

I don't think anyone mentioned the antique cans that were square and about 6" tall. I saw some in an antique store. I think they had a pry-off lid like a paint can, but I'm not certain.