Historic Hercules 2400

TomkinsSP · Oct 9, 2017

Found during my recuperative road trip. (Congratulatons to State, you were the better team on Saturday.) $12.00. Still sealed. Wish I knew how it was stored these 40 odd years (1970s production, don't you think, Lot 266). Anyone know when Hercules (or the powder division to be specific) was sold to Alliant?

TomkinsSP · Oct 9, 2017

Wierd. Does anyone else have board not allow pictures in post. But then permit them.to be edited in?

Dieseltech56 · Oct 9, 2017

I had 1lb of circa 1987 Hercules 2400 given to me once. It smelled perfectly fine so I started low and it worked up just like modern 2400. There was basically no difference. Shot it all up and now 2400 is a staple on my reloading bench.

iPac · Oct 9, 2017

I'd crack it open and see if it's any good. Check the smell. If nothing out the ordinary, I would load up some mild rounds and give it a try. Out of a gun that is for utility. Can't beat $12 for a # of 2400.

Rpg · Oct 9, 2017

I have three cans like that: finishing one, will be starting on the second next week I think.

Works just fine.

Ivan the Butcher · Oct 9, 2017

I started loading in 1979 and that style of can was completely off the shelves. I am thinking that was a can from the 60's. However there is no reason that time is a problem. Moisture and heat are the big problems!

Ivan

HKSmith · Oct 9, 2017

I started reloading in 1964 and had cans of Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 just like that. They were not 1 pound cans though, they held 11 ounces and cost me $1.80 at a LGS near New Haven, CT. The powder is probably still good, but you'll need to open the can to find out for sure.

Around the 100th anniversary of Unique, Hercules ran an ad showing a sample of the first lot that had been stored under water. A sample was removed periodically, dried out, and tested. It still met the specs for modern Unique! Who says moisture is bad for smokeless powder?

HKSmith · Oct 9, 2017

Addendum to my post above :

Hercules introduced #2400 in 1932 and sold their powder business to Alliant in 1994.

TomkinsSP · Oct 9, 2017

I use 2400 in .357 and 7.62x39 (funny thing both are 158 grainers and use the same charge). Last pound I bought cost twice as much and didn't half fill those huge bottles.

So if it smells ok, it likely is? Thanks.

27 Man · Oct 9, 2017

I started loading about 8 years after HKSmith and used the same 3 powders in the same 11 oz cans. Those 3 powders and Alcan primers loaded thousands of 38 and 357 cartridges. Still use those powders but now use CCI primers.

DWalt · Oct 10, 2017

I think 2400 and other rifle powders always came in 1 pound cans, while the various shotshell powders, Unique, and Bullseye were 11 ounces. Earlier Hercules rectangular cans were cardboard with metal ends. Later containers were tall round cardboard, and still later, plastic.

loc n load · Oct 10, 2017

I started reloading in 73 and all my Bullseye, 2400 and Unique came in the tubular cardboard canisters......like what we buy today. I have accumulated various types of powders dating back into the 50's and loaded with them without any misadventures. If it is stored properly powder will last a long time.
2400 has always been my "go to" powder for magnum loads, particularly in the longer barrels.

Bakebfr480 · Oct 10, 2017

It's from the 60's.........if it smells okay I'd use it!

Ole Joe Clark · Oct 10, 2017

2400 in a .41 magnum, under a good cast bullet is a thing of beauty, not to bad in a .357 either.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

4barrel · Oct 10, 2017

I have a 16 pound red can of Bullseye with a lid like that with about 4 pounds left I bought in the 80s. It was old then. Your can looks like it has been in a dark dry place with no moisture. ------I looked this morning & it is a 15#. Looks like this.

DWalt · Oct 10, 2017

I don't remember seeing a Hercules 16 pound metal can. But the red 4 pound metal cans were not unusual, I still have several of them (empty). Back when I started shooting trap and skeet in the 1960s, I always bought the red 4 pound cans of Red Dot. Later, I went to the larger fiberboard drums with slip-on lids, I think they held 8 pounds, but I don't remember for sure. I still have a partial 4 pound cylindrical cardboard can of Green Dot. I used that for 20 Gauge.

Nemo288 · Oct 11, 2017

If still sealed, that can may be worth far more than a new one to a collector.
Completely mint cans like that are rare.
You could sell it to a collector and buy a few new pounds and then also know your powder is fresh.
I am just emptying my last cardboard can of Hercules 2400 that is from the 1990's.
The ones whose collapsible necks would break if you used them too much.
Also have a few pounds in the new plastic bottles.

Capt. Bob · Oct 11, 2017

This is my stash of 2400. I have had this 5lb keg for many years. I don't use it much. It was given to me a long time ago and every now and then I try it on different cal. that I load. Last time was when I was working up a load for my 22 Hornet. It came in second on that one.

rwsmith · Oct 11, 2017

Hercules pistol powders were in...

When I started up around 1980, Hercules pistol powders were in cardboard canisters, with a plastic plug on top. One canister of Unique had a pull out pour spout.

IMR rifle powders were in the cans similar to your examples, but the labeling was slightly 'modernized'.

TAROMAN · Oct 11, 2017

I fondly remember 2400.
Used a lot of it back in the 70s and 80s.
In fact, shot enough of it to beat up my 29-2 so much that it finally needed a factory overhaul.
Haven't seen it for many years.
Discontinued maybe?

Historic Hercules 2400

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