Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-21-2022, 02:03 PM
martyd's Avatar
martyd martyd is offline
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 704
Likes: 2,018
Liked 2,772 Times in 378 Posts
Default Old Hercules 2400 Powder

Any ideas on how old this powder is?

I purchased this at a local gun show in January 2022.
It was new and unopened.

When was this packaging was discontinued?

In the mid 1970's I reloaded 44 Magnum with this packaging.

A couple of weeks ago I loaded up some 41 Magnum with it --- it stills go Boom!
I expected it to go Boom.

I have never had an issue with old powder as long as it was still originally sealed. I would imagine there have been problems but none seen by me.

Note the price tag from its original store sale --- Oh! The good old days.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 2400 a.jpg (51.1 KB, 66 views)
File Type: jpg 2400 b.jpg (85.2 KB, 134 views)
__________________
Who are? "They"
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 05-21-2022, 02:10 PM
ACORN's Avatar
ACORN ACORN is offline
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: North Huntingdon Pa.
Posts: 4,500
Likes: 7,612
Liked 9,927 Times in 2,933 Posts
Default

I have a similar can I believe dates to the mid 80s.
__________________
I told you not to use Lifebuoy
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-21-2022, 02:12 PM
arjay's Avatar
arjay arjay is online now
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 15,082
Likes: 91,553
Liked 26,243 Times in 8,376 Posts
Default

I e still got my original bottle of blue dot in the same package with a similar price from the mid 80s
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 05-21-2022, 02:13 PM
StakeOut's Avatar
StakeOut StakeOut is offline
US Veteran
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: NW of Austin Texas
Posts: 3,090
Likes: 1,351
Liked 4,938 Times in 1,730 Posts
Default

Alliant Powder - About Us
__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #5  
Old 05-22-2022, 12:11 PM
Nevada Ed's Avatar
Nevada Ed Nevada Ed is offline
US Veteran
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Reno Nv
Posts: 13,376
Likes: 3,183
Liked 12,712 Times in 5,669 Posts
Default

Ah yes, the old goose neck, pop up, plastic top, powder container.

I was actually glad to see them come onto the scene, to replace the
square metal top cans.

The only problem was, getting unused powder back into the container.
If you did not have a small funnel, things could get messy.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 05-22-2022, 02:31 PM
arjay's Avatar
arjay arjay is online now
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 15,082
Likes: 91,553
Liked 26,243 Times in 8,376 Posts
Talking

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nevada Ed View Post
Ah yes, the old goose neck, pop up, plastic top, powder container.

I was actually glad to see them come onto the scene, to replace the
square metal top cans.

The only problem was, getting unused powder back into the container.
If you did not have a small funnel, things could get messy.
Stole one from my wife. I’ve still got it lol (but not the wife)
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #7  
Old 05-22-2022, 05:12 PM
Ruger 1,3 Ruger 1,3 is offline
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 341
Liked 966 Times in 534 Posts
Default

I’m still using some Bullseye in the same packaging from 1973 that is priced at $3.14 for a pound!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #8  
Old 05-22-2022, 06:18 PM
Bastogne71's Avatar
Bastogne71 Bastogne71 is offline
SWCA Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Posts: 974
Likes: 126
Liked 1,331 Times in 540 Posts
Default

You want old? I’ll show you old! The Norma and the 2400 are still sealed! I know the Norma dates to 1974 because it was in a package deal for a 222 SAKO Vixen I bought in Germany just before I came back to the states. Still have the rifle too but it shoots better with H322.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg C6C59640-E853-4486-8B49-8D138553C020.jpg (74.0 KB, 76 views)
__________________
SWCA #3526

Last edited by Bastogne71; 05-22-2022 at 06:21 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-22-2022, 06:59 PM
Geno44 Geno44 is offline
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: S/W Illinois
Posts: 923
Likes: 554
Liked 1,152 Times in 445 Posts
Default

I have a very similar can to this which has a stamped date on the bottom of 8/25/93. Did you carefully look for a date on your can? I dated the top of the can 10/93 which was the month I purchased it. I am still shooting H4831 surplus powder from WWII and it works fine.

Last edited by Geno44; 05-22-2022 at 07:01 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #10  
Old 05-22-2022, 07:26 PM
StakeOut's Avatar
StakeOut StakeOut is offline
US Veteran
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: NW of Austin Texas
Posts: 3,090
Likes: 1,351
Liked 4,938 Times in 1,730 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruger 1,3 View Post
I’m still using some Bullseye in the same packaging from 1973 that is priced at $3.14 for a pound!
I bought many of the 8lb round cardboard containers of Bullsye,Unique and Red Dot for $15.00 in the late 60s and 70s.
__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-22-2022, 09:26 PM
Skeet 028 Skeet 028 is offline
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 6,137
Likes: 6,330
Liked 7,047 Times in 2,984 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geno44 View Post
I have a very similar can to this which has a stamped date on the bottom of 8/25/93. Did you carefully look for a date on your can? I dated the top of the can 10/93 which was the month I purchased it. I am still shooting H4831 surplus powder from WWII and it works fine.
I still have and use about 7 or 8 lbs of that surplus I bought back in the 60s. 100 lbs for 70 dollars delivered REA. for the first one.. the 2nd cost right about 80 bucks. Someone gave me approx 30 lbs of the H4831 a couple years ago. It was stored in glass jars from instant coffee. I burned it in the lane in front of the house. Just didn't trust it after being stored in clear glass in an outbuilding all those years. Surprisingly it all seemed to burn as it should. The old fellow it belonged to told me he wore out a few rifle barrels with that powder...esp in the 264 Win Mag. His wife wanted it gone after he passed. The powder shown in the cardboard cans date fron the 70s to about 1990 or so I think. I still have 2400 Red Dot Bullseye Unique Herco and Blue dot in those cans. I also have Reloader 11 12 and Hi-Vel #2...in the unopened square metal cans. Still good of course.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-23-2022, 08:16 AM
Geno44 Geno44 is offline
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: S/W Illinois
Posts: 923
Likes: 554
Liked 1,152 Times in 445 Posts
Default

In about 1965 I ordered 50 pounds of surplus H4831 powder from Walter Craig, Selma, Alabama. They are still in business. The cost was $29.95 delivered to suburban Chicago. I still have about 10 pounds and am still loading it. It was stored in glass one gallon cider containers in a cool basement.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-23-2022, 10:52 AM
martyd's Avatar
martyd martyd is offline
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Arizona
Posts: 704
Likes: 2,018
Liked 2,772 Times in 378 Posts
Default

Boy, there are a lot of Old Farts on the Forum. Some of which have some good vintage powder who don't shoot much :-)

I knew powder use to have the Mfg date stamped on the bottom but totally space it out.

Bottom: TF 495 I suspect the TF is the date and 495 is the lot.

And, thanks for the Alliant web link, it was very informative.
__________________
Who are? "They"
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 05-23-2022, 10:56 AM
imakmst's Avatar
imakmst imakmst is online now
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northeast TN
Posts: 497
Likes: 1,582
Liked 326 Times in 154 Posts
Default

I load 357 with a can of 2400 I got from an older gentleman, it's the small square can. Good stuff, still goes boom.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-23-2022, 11:14 AM
Green Frog Green Frog is offline
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central VA
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 1,551
Liked 9,320 Times in 4,181 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bastogne71 View Post
You want old? I’ll show you old! The Norma and the 2400 are still sealed! I know the Norma dates to 1974 because it was in a package deal for a 222 SAKO Vixen I bought in Germany just before I came back to the states. Still have the rifle too but it shoots better with H322.
I see you store your powder cans upside down so the air in them is unchanging. This keeps the powder fresh longer.

Froggie

PS I love me some 4759 for 32-40!

Last edited by Green Frog; 05-23-2022 at 11:15 AM. Reason: Add PS
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 05-23-2022, 09:13 PM
Geno44 Geno44 is offline
Member
Old Hercules 2400 Powder  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: S/W Illinois
Posts: 923
Likes: 554
Liked 1,152 Times in 445 Posts
Default

OP-Did you look on the bottom of the can for a date?
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
More powder - 2400 BC38 Reloading 43 01-27-2018 09:23 PM
Historic Hercules 2400 TomkinsSP Reloading 38 10-18-2017 07:38 AM
Hercules 2400 and revolver loads JP@AK S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 15 03-02-2014 05:16 PM
Hercules 2400 EDH Reloading 4 02-22-2014 06:44 PM
Hercules 2400 Evil Dog Reloading 13 01-21-2013 07:05 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:51 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)