The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old September 1, 2009, 11:09 PM   #1
226nsw
Junior Member
 
Join Date: August 24, 2009
Posts: 11
Free shopping spree today - Question on old gunpowder (pics)

My dear old uncle decided to clean some old stuff out of his reloading room today after I told him I was thinking of starting to reload shotgun shells. When he asked me if I wanted an old shotshell press I had no idea he was going to have the whole bed of his truck full. He always has been a nice guy.

Of the three powders in the picture, the Hercules Green Dot is marked 1998. As far as the Herco and the Win 540, my uncle says the Herco is at least 25 years old (probably more) and he had no clue on the Winchester. I'm definitely not worried about the Green Dot, but I'm wondering if the other two are still good to use. These have been in my uncles basement for years. Does anybody have any idea how old these could be?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 001.jpg (238.7 KB, 119 views)
File Type: jpg 003.jpg (244.4 KB, 90 views)
226nsw is offline  
Old September 1, 2009, 11:19 PM   #2
Mike Irwin
Staff
 
Join Date: April 13, 2000
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 41,374
The Herco and Winchester powders are packaged in containers that were used from the mid to late 1970s through the early 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.
Mike Irwin is offline  
Old September 2, 2009, 01:41 AM   #3
Unclenick
Staff
 
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,021
If they look normal, with no red dust on them (shake some out on a piece of paper and toss it a bit to see if and red dust accumulates) and don't smell sharp, like acid, then they are probably fine.
__________________
Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member
CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor
NRA Certified Rifle Instructor
NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle
Unclenick is online now  
Old September 2, 2009, 02:21 AM   #4
226nsw
Junior Member
 
Join Date: August 24, 2009
Posts: 11
Do you guys think newer load data would be ok ? Win 540 same as HS-6 ? thanks guys shook some on paper looked ok smelled alright
226nsw is offline  
Old September 2, 2009, 03:33 AM   #5
Sport45
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 25, 1999
Location: Too close to Houston
Posts: 4,196
I bet the Green Dot was bought or opened in 1998.

I may have an old load book or two with 540 data. It'll be a couple of weeks before I get them back. If you haven't found anything by then shoot me a PM and let me know what you're loading.
__________________
Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.
Sport45 is offline  
Old September 2, 2009, 06:42 AM   #6
QBall45
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 5, 2008
Location: South Central Minnesota
Posts: 584
Got to love dear old uncles.

Nice setup. Looks like ya won't be needing to buy anything for equipment.

Remember dear uncle at Christmas this year.
QBall45 is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:46 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.04813 seconds with 11 queries