Author |
Message |
olydemon
Site Moderator
Location: Olympia, Warshington. Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 Posts: 12506
Real Name: Oly Damon
|
I have this jug of powder I was curious about. Invoice in the original box is dated 1994.... almost 24 years ago.... and being surplus it must be even older. Is this something people would still want/use? I found one thread on a CMP forum, but it just was talk of load data and it was from 2011 or so. Have any reloaders here ever use this? Spoiler tag... Large photo.... - Spoiler: show
more photos here: https://imgur.com/a/Kt74MRP
_________________www.olydemon.com
|
Tue Aug 21, 2018 10:23 pm |
|
|
usrifle
Site Supporter
Location: RENTON Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 Posts: 20753
Real Name: John
|
Looks like a the colored paper says it was from 1973. About 7-8 years ago i loaded .223 using powder from sealed cans dated 1971 and it fired just like newer powder. If it has remained sealed and been stored properly i think it would be fine. That old stuff i loaded had a slightly odd smell when fired, but no issues with it.
I have fired Loaded ammo from as far back as 1937 and i still have a Bunch of Turk 8mm from the early 40's that is my favorite blasting ammo in that caliber. The brass would suffer some case neck splits when fired, but no issues otherwise.
I say it's good to go. I would load light to start with, but i would use it for plinking fodder.
_________________ Mr. Q wrote: so basically, if you have to smoke some asshole, make sure they become fertilizer and then Bounce? got it.
Guntrader wrote: Huh, maybe I was an asshole.
NRA Member/RSO SAF 5 Year Donor GOA Member
|
Tue Aug 21, 2018 10:59 pm |
|
|
olydemon
Site Moderator
Location: Olympia, Warshington. Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 Posts: 12506
Real Name: Oly Damon
|
Thanks for the tips! Not sure I will have a use for it. May be the sort of thing to bring to a gun show and see if anyone bites on it...
_________________www.olydemon.com
|
Wed Aug 22, 2018 7:42 pm |
|
|
PMB
In Memoriam
Joined: Wed Mar 6, 2013 Posts: 12018
|
I have some 50BMG powder from the early 60's. Burns like a champ. I heard a rule of thumb that the powder loses 1% of its efficacy every year. I think that is hogwash. Just like Mr usrifle said, if stored properly, you're golden.
Oly, that stuff is dangerous as hell. One bad jiggle and *poof*, no eyebrows. Let me help you out, brother. I have experience disposing of dangerous stuff like that. No thanks are necessary, but if you insist, a few jugs of Unique will surely brighten my day.
|
Wed Aug 22, 2018 7:52 pm |
|
|
olydemon
Site Moderator
Location: Olympia, Warshington. Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 Posts: 12506
Real Name: Oly Damon
|
PMB wrote: I have some 50BMG powder from the early 60's. Burns like a champ. I heard a rule of thumb that the powder loses 1% of its efficacy every year. I think that is hogwash. Just like Mr usrifle said, if stored properly, you're golden.
Oly, that stuff is dangerous as hell. One bad jiggle and *poof*, no eyebrows. Let me help you out, brother. I have experience disposing of dangerous stuff like that. No thanks are necessary, but if you insist, a few jugs of Unique will surely brighten my day.
I have it stored between my welder and my forge.... I think it will be safe.. I do have some powders, but the unique was previously opened so I wasnt going to list it. I do have a ton of other stuff I will be posting very soon,.... I'll PM ya...
_________________www.olydemon.com
|
Wed Aug 22, 2018 8:01 pm |
|
|
2A-Jay
Location: Ocean Park Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2018 Posts: 55
Real Name: Jay Graham
|
Is this powder IMR4895? That is the Military Spec Powder for 30-06 M2 Ball ammo. I have used Metal Can IMR4895 from the '60s to reload for my '03 Springfield. 150gr FMJ. Shoots great.
_________________ Retired Navy Helicopter Combat SAR Aircreman SH2F Helicopters
|
Thu Feb 14, 2019 6:59 am |
|
|
Traut
Site Supporter
Location: Downtown Newcastle Joined: Sat Mar 5, 2016 Posts: 3440
Real Name: Traut
|
PMB wrote: [s]I have some 50BMG powder from the early 60's. ....
Oly, that stuff is dangerous as hell. One bad jiggle and *poof*, no eyebrows. Let me help you out, brother. I have experience disposing of dangerous stuff like that. No thanks are necessary, but if you insist, a few jugs of Unique will surely brighten my day. Yeah, because when I think 50BMG, Unique is my go to!
_________________ I always thought growing old would take a lot longer.....
So, when does that "Old enough to know better" shit kick in??? I've learned that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everyone off is a piece of cake.
|
Thu Feb 14, 2019 7:28 am |
|
|
olydemon
Site Moderator
Location: Olympia, Warshington. Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 Posts: 12506
Real Name: Oly Damon
|
2A-Jay wrote: Is this powder IMR4895? That is the Military Spec Powder for 30-06 M2 Ball ammo. I have used Metal Can IMR4895 from the '60s to reload for my '03 Springfield. 150gr FMJ. Shoots great. I dont recall if it says that code anywhere on it..
_________________www.olydemon.com
|
Thu Feb 14, 2019 7:45 am |
|
|
Kgbsucka
In Memoriam
Location: Gig Harbor Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 Posts: 1829
Real Name: Nick
|
It's WC852. Depending on the lot its burn characteristics can vary quite a bit and be similar to a few powders but since you have the load data for your lot that's pretty irrelevant.
Burn it! I use surplus powders all the time with great success. I wouldn't worry one bit about the age. Work it up like you would anything else.
_________________ Armed insurance broker. ObamaCare, life, health, medicare.
|
Thu Feb 14, 2019 8:17 am |
|
|
Old Growth
Site Supporter
Location: Nisqually Valley Joined: Wed Oct 5, 2016 Posts: 4814
|
I just got done using up a 12lb tin keg. I use LOTS of very old powder.
|
Thu Feb 14, 2019 2:46 pm |
|
|
|