old powder

[ronnie gore]

this was a can of improved 4227 i got from a friend that had never been opened, just stored in his reloading room.
i loaded it all up and it worked perfect.
of course i made sure there was no deteriation.
the date on the can is september of 1949, one year before i was born.

 

[MMA10mm]

Lot #24! Holy Cow!

Did you load some up with modern 4227 (exact same load) so you could compare the velocity and pressure signs?

 

[ronnie gore]

no i did not but i did chronograph the loads and they were right with the velocity ratings in the loading manual.

 

[TAROMAN]

Recently, I was given a 40 y/o can of Red Dot.
Chrono'd loads with it alongside the same made with a new batch.
Was surprised to see a higher average velocity and a lower SD. Have read that Hercules had a batch of 100 y/o powder (Bullseye or Unique, IIRC) that is still good.
Age isn't the issue. Proper storage is.
Powder certainly ages better than I do!

 

[smithnframe]

I have some IMR 4831 from the WW 2 era that smells as fresh as brand new powder! It was in a 25 lb. keg that was unopened but rusting on the outside. I transferred it to gallon jugs about 35 years ago. I'm down to about 10 lbs now.

 

[Aticus]

Dated 1949 the year before he was born? THANKS FOR MAKING ME FEEL OLD!!!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

this was a can of improved 4227 i got from a friend that had never been opened...

Just to let you know, the can is marked Improved Military Rifle Powder 4227. Today that would be called IMR 4227.