old shotgun powder

rebs · September 14, 2014, 07:57 AM

a friend gave me some older shotgun powder, 1 lb of Hercules herco, 1lb green dot and 1lb of red dot.
they are the older style can, not the new can they come in now. How do I tell if this powder is still good to use ?
The containers are cardboard with metal tops that have a spout you pull up and unscrew a plastic top

g.willikers · September 14, 2014, 08:18 AM

Powder generally holds up quite well, depending on how it was stored, though.
There's a couple of ways to see if it's suspicious.
By smell - it should not have a vinegar like chemical smell.
By look - it should be dry and not clumpy.
And be absolutely sure the powder in the cans is what is supposed to be there.
If you are adventurous, there's a fire test.
Light a very, very small amount, just a few grains worth, with a very long match or fuse, outdoors, in a safe area.
It should go up instantly in a flash, without any sputtering or delay.
Don't forget eye protection.
And finally, if all goes well, carefully load a few low pressure rounds and check them.
But if the cans have been opened, and/or they're older than a few years, a measly pound of powder just isn't worth enough to take chances.
It's been quite awhile since powder has come in cardboard containers.
It's probably not worth the risk, especially if they aren't still sealed from the factory.

pete2 · September 14, 2014, 08:20 AM

If it looks ok and smells ok, use it.

zxcvbob · September 14, 2014, 08:46 AM

If it has no smell, that's a good thing. If it smells a little like ether or fingernail polish, that's very good.

G_P · September 14, 2014, 10:24 PM

Most likely the powder is just fine. I was given a small metal 8oz can of Red Dot from the 1960's and it worked great.

rebs · September 15, 2014, 02:57 AM

Thank you for the replies, I will try it. It seems to be ok

**Mike Irwin** · September 15, 2014, 08:15 AM

Those cans are from the late 1970s/early 1980s or so, and were used through into the 1990s.

LE-28 · September 15, 2014, 09:51 AM

I have several of the old Hercules paper cans with powder in them. I still use it
and it still works very well.

Look down in there and if you see what looks like rust in the powder it's already started to turn. You'll have to just dump it.

Other than that, it should smell like most all the other powders you have and if it does, it's fine.

sawdustdad · September 15, 2014, 10:19 AM

I have been using several cans like you have (paper, with metal ends and pull up spout) of Unique, 2400 and Blue Dot, stored for 27 years. It's all still fine. It's been in my A/C and heated workshop all this time, so I at least know how it's been stored.

catgunguy · September 15, 2014, 12:14 PM

I have a 4 lb. of the old Hercules Red Dot. I e-mailed Alliant the lot # but they said the # I gave them they could not track. They told me it was probably at least 30 yrs. old. It was still sealed when I got it this spring and it is still good. I have been using it for 45 ACP. I love it.

kawasakifreak77 · September 15, 2014, 02:24 PM

I've been using several of the hercules (before alliant!) powders you describe recently. They were my great uncles when he passed away, about 20 years ago & who knows how long he had had them. Stored properly they seem to work fine.

rebs · September 16, 2014, 04:31 AM

Thank you for all the replies, I appreciate it. I am going to load a few rounds and try it. It smells ok and looks ok, no rust or anything.

September 14, 2014, 07:57 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	old shotgun powder a friend gave me some older shotgun powder, 1 lb of Hercules herco, 1lb green dot and 1lb of red dot. they are the older style can, not the new can they come in now. How do I tell if this powder is still good to use ? The containers are cardboard with metal tops that have a spout you pull up and unscrew a plastic top Last edited by rebs; September 14, 2014 at 08:04 AM.

September 14, 2014, 08:18 AM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Powder generally holds up quite well, depending on how it was stored, though. There's a couple of ways to see if it's suspicious. By smell - it should not have a vinegar like chemical smell. By look - it should be dry and not clumpy. And be absolutely sure the powder in the cans is what is supposed to be there. If you are adventurous, there's a fire test. Light a very, very small amount, just a few grains worth, with a very long match or fuse, outdoors, in a safe area. It should go up instantly in a flash, without any sputtering or delay. Don't forget eye protection. And finally, if all goes well, carefully load a few low pressure rounds and check them. But if the cans have been opened, and/or they're older than a few years, a measly pound of powder just isn't worth enough to take chances. It's been quite awhile since powder has come in cardboard containers. It's probably not worth the risk, especially if they aren't still sealed from the factory. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.” Last edited by g.willikers; September 14, 2014 at 08:33 AM.

September 14, 2014, 08:46 AM	#4
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	If it has no smell, that's a good thing. If it smells a little like ether or fingernail polish, that's very good. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

September 15, 2014, 08:15 AM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Those cans are from the late 1970s/early 1980s or so, and were used through into the 1990s. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 15, 2014, 02:24 PM	#11
kawasakifreak77 Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2007 Location: St. John, Ks. Posts: 267	I've been using several of the hercules (before alliant!) powders you describe recently. They were my great uncles when he passed away, about 20 years ago & who knows how long he had had them. Stored properly they seem to work fine. __________________ Looking for oddball ammo. Tracers, AP, whatcha got?

September 14, 2014, 08:20 AM	#3
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	If it looks ok and smells ok, use it.

September 14, 2014, 10:24 PM	#5
G_P Member Join Date: January 4, 2014 Posts: 45	Most likely the powder is just fine. I was given a small metal 8oz can of Red Dot from the 1960's and it worked great.

September 15, 2014, 02:57 AM	#6
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Thank you for the replies, I will try it. It seems to be ok

September 15, 2014, 09:51 AM	#8
LE-28 Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 759	I have several of the old Hercules paper cans with powder in them. I still use it and it still works very well. Look down in there and if you see what looks like rust in the powder it's already started to turn. You'll have to just dump it. Other than that, it should smell like most all the other powders you have and if it does, it's fine.

September 15, 2014, 10:19 AM	#9
sawdustdad Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 484	I have been using several cans like you have (paper, with metal ends and pull up spout) of Unique, 2400 and Blue Dot, stored for 27 years. It's all still fine. It's been in my A/C and heated workshop all this time, so I at least know how it's been stored.

September 15, 2014, 12:14 PM	#10
catgunguy Member Join Date: March 11, 2014 Posts: 37	I have a 4 lb. of the old Hercules Red Dot. I e-mailed Alliant the lot # but they said the # I gave them they could not track. They told me it was probably at least 30 yrs. old. It was still sealed when I got it this spring and it is still good. I have been using it for 45 ACP. I love it.

September 16, 2014, 04:31 AM	#12
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Thank you for all the replies, I appreciate it. I am going to load a few rounds and try it. It smells ok and looks ok, no rust or anything.