Found some powder in grandpas room

[Capt.hollis]

My aunt lived on North Road until last month when she went to an assisted living facility. I still have a cousin that lives across the river from what used to be Sportsman Span.

I wouldn't be too concerned, it isn't much different than using surplus powder. I loaded some H385 in .223 that didn't have any data from being obsolete so long. It worked fine at 25.0 gr with a 55 gr bullet, about like any other ball powder for a .223.

Yes sir Paul. I'm a fishing guide out of Sargent Tx for Trout, and Reds. Bet you've been there a time or 2. Mind if I call you. If you don't mind could you pm me your number. If not I understand man
Thanks again

 

[Paul5388]

CPT, PM sent.

It has been a little over a year since I've been in Brazoria County. Buried my uncle Nov 2011 in Lake Jackson.

 

[Dawico]

Gotta agree with Paul (again) and Mike. Safety first on something like this and proceed cautiously.

 

[Vaquero]

Gotta agree with Paul (again) and Mike. Safety first on something like this and proceed cautiously.

By all means use caution, but yes proceed.

 

[robocop10mm]

I would NEVER recommend someone try developing a load with a completely unknown powder. I do not think things have gotten that bad, yet. Fertilizer.

 

[Capt.hollis]

By all means use caution, but yes proceed.

The powder is flakey and has a green tint to it.

 

[Acesn8's]

Subscribed

 

[deemus]

The powder is flakey and has a green tint to it.

Sounds like Green Dot.

 

[Dawico]

I would NEVER recommend someone try developing a load with a completely unknown powder. I do not think things have gotten that bad, yet. Fertilizer.

I don't even take the current market into consideration. To me it is about learning and experimenting.

 

[Paul5388]

If it has powder flakes that are green, it's Green Dot. It isn't all of them, just enough in there to make them an identifier. Of course, it really doesn't matter, since Green Dot, with the load I suggested, will just run a little slower velocity than Bullseye does.

 

[Whiskey_Rocka_Rolla]

Ok . Well I appreciate it guys! I think I may try this , I've been wanting to for a while, and hate to see it go to waste.

Just know you're taking a risk using powder you are unsure of even what powder it is. There are very specific measurements for each different powder/bullet/caliber. If you could take a picture of the powder itself that might at least help identify it.

 

[cdhknives]

Beware of squibs using the procedure listed here. If you do have a slow shotgun powder and load a light Bullseye kind of starter load it may not ignite well and leave something in the barrel. Shoot a target and if you get a very light pop and don't see a hole appear, check your bore before shooting again.

Any clues as to what Grandpa loaded it into? That would help too.

 

[OLDVET]

There is no way I would risk bodily injury trying to use a powder like this. There are too many varibles such as age, storage conditions, exact brand, etc.. Take this powder to your local hazardous disposal site and buy yourself a new pound can. Save your fingers.

 

[mikeofcontex]

There is no way I would risk bodily injury trying to use a powder like this. There are too many varibles such as age, storage conditions, exact brand, etc.. Take this powder to your local hazardous disposal site and buy yourself a new pound can. Save your fingers.

If you decide to dispose of it, please give me the opportunity to be your waste dump.

 

[Paul5388]

Powder deteriorates with age, that means it gets weaker as it grows older, not the other way around. Single based powders are worse about decomposition than double based. The majority of flake powder suitable for shot guns is double based. Alliant has some Unique from 1899 sitting on a shelf covered in water. Periodically they pat it dry and shoot it and it shoots just like it always did.

Unique was first manufactured in about 1898 and was one of the first powders Du Pont turned over to Hercules. A jar of Unique powder sits on the shelf at the Alliant Powder plant in Radford, Virginia. The powder in the jar was made in 1899 and still performs to original specifications. "Unique is the oldest and most versatile powder on the market," Quesenberry says.

BTW, here's Alliant's advertisement:

 

[darstcreek]

Throw it away If your not 100 per cent the type of powder it is if you over load or under load a pistol/ rifle load it could really be dangerous to you and any body standing next to you ..

 

[TheDan]

Load up a few rounds for testing, but use a Hi Point to conduct the tests.
Either that or make some fire crackers...