hold powder

[Fuch]

I all
I received these boxes of powder: DUPONT HI-SKOR 700-X and HERCULE 2400, apparently they still exist under other brands hercule 2400 at Alliant 2400 and 700-X at Hodgdon 700-X can you tell me +-en what year were they released? I tried the 700-X with 9 Lugers and it still gives good results, for the 2400 Hercules I have not yet done any tests and this powder, although old, keeps a very homogeneous structure, no agglomeration and good smell of powder, it still ignites very well with the lighter

 

[desi2358]

Not sure on the Dupont can, 1970's maybe? Never used that particular powder. The square Hercules cans were still around when I started reloading in the late 70's but were old stock. 1960's and early 70's era. The new cans when I started were the round cardboard ones. I still have one of the square 2400 cans (part of a stash from an estate sale) along with some newer ones as well. Have used it a lot in 357 Mag and 30 Carbine loads.

 

[HKSmith]

The can of Hercules 2400 is from the 1960's. The can of 700-X is either from the 1960's or 1970's. I used many cans of 2400 like that in the 1960's for .357 Magnum and .38/44 .38 Special loads. I continue to use 2400 almost 60 years later for magnum revolver loads. I did have a 5 pound can of 700-X bought around 1975 that I used up about 25 years later. It's a good all-purpose fast burning pistol powder, but meters poorly below 5 grains (in my equipment) due to the large flake size.

 

[mtgianni]

I bought cans of 700 X similar to the one shown, weighing 8 oz in the late 80's.

 

[oldman10mm]

In 1975, Dupont stopped the production of powders so all Dupont marked cans were manufactured prior to 1975 in 1/2 lb cans.

 

[Fuch]

In 1975, Dupont stopped the production of powders so all Dupont marked cans were manufactured prior to 1975 in 1/2 lb cans.

what is surprising is that this powder has kept its vivacity after so many years and the Hercule 2400 which also seems even older is still usable

 

[biku324]

I still have 1.5 pounds of Reloder 12, the single best 35 Whelen and 30-30 rifle powder, from the 1980s. It only goes in sighting and hunting loads.

Properly stored powder lasts a long, long time - ask the big gun Navy how old powder bags for 16 inch guns are now..

 

[ajgunner]

One way to date the 2400 is to check for a zip code in the address. Zip codes came into use in 1963, so no zip code means it was most likely pre 1963. Most of these came to me still sealed and a few were partials. Most have been loaded and fired in the past 2-5 years with no problems.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I still have 1.5 pounds of Reloder 12, the single best 35 Whelen and 30-30 rifle powder, from the 1980s. It only goes in sighting and hunting loads.

Properly stored powder lasts a long, long time - ask the big gun Navy how old powder bags for 16 inch guns are now..

Not too many of us have a 16" in the back yard that can toss a
MK8 2,700 pound projectile, 42,345 yards (24 miles) in +/- 80 seconds.
It is hard to belive that just ONE full load of bagged powder was
660 pounds of powder, for this six bag, shot.

Note;
Ashore powder & ammo was stored in "Bunkers" that were dry and dark, inside. ( post #14 )

 

[Fuch]

One way to date the 2400 is to check for a zip code in the address. Zip codes came into use in 1963, so no zip code means it was most likely pre 1963. Most of these came to me still sealed and a few were partials. Most have been loaded and fired in the past 2-5 years with no problems.

on my hercule 2400 box is indicated Wilmington delaware 19899

 

[Fuch]

ALCAN hold powder

I also received this box of ALCAN AL-120 powder
I don't know this powder at all, this brand certainly no longer exists or has changed its name, it seems that it is powder for smoothbore shotgun hunting ammunition, can you tell me?

 

[serger]

It's just slightly faster than Red Dot. The 1966 Alcan loaders manual shows on page 17,
1 1/8oz shot with 23Gr powder @ 1200fps. Red Dot with 22Gr & same weight shot @ 1200fps.

Here's a link to a small discussion about it:

Pistol Loads for Alcan AL-120? | The High Road

 

[biku324]

Not too many of us have a 16" in the back yard that can toss a
MK8 2,700 pound projectile, 42,345 yards (24 miles) in +/- 80 seconds.
It is hard to belive that just ONE full load of bagged powder was
660 pounds of powder, for this six bag, shot.

Indeed. Short of old-ish gunnery officers, not many need to know how to adjust for the Coriolis effect at that distance (in each hemesphere).

 

[243winxb]

My manual from 70s.

Use powder quickly or move it to plastic containers. Any HDPE marked bottle. Black to keep sun off, is best.