Old(er) Cardboard Drums of Green Dot

[Guest]

I came into several containers of smokeless powder from a friend who picked them up at an estate sale, several were open, but two, a 15# drum of Green Dot, and an 8# of same, both sealed, exterior clean, undamaged or stained. The other open powders, looking at the, they were clean, not clumpy and smelled fine (no ammonia smell).  They are cardboard drums, so that's older, but I am going to open the smaller one and do a small batch of test loads in select pistol rounds (45 Acp, 9mm, .38 Spl) and see how it does. If it's good, I've just got a lot of fixin's for pistol ammo for a looong time...

Would you try it, if you found it under those conditions?

[Jamie Jackson]

I can only speak for myself. But I probably would try them.

I've used some metal can 3031 and cardboard container 2400 and W 231 over the past couple of years with no problems. (The powders and primers were from the early 1990's).

Of course the powders and primers were mine, and I knew the storage conditions.

I would want to see and handle the containers personally, but it sounds like you did and have not found them wanting. But it's always a risk with these things.

Powders and primers keep for a mighty long time if stored properly.

[Darrell]

38 minutes ago, OMCHamlin said:

Would you try it, if you found it under those conditions?

I would. I'd probably "work up" brand new loads with it, taking the starting points in my reloading manuals for first loads and paying attention for signs of excessive pressure. I have some really old powders in my locker, and have never had a problem with any of them.

[Nikiski Dave]

1 hour ago, OMCHamlin said:

I came into several containers of smokeless powder from a friend who picked them up at an estate sale, several were open, but two, a 15# drum of Green Dot, and an 8# of same, both sealed, exterior clean, undamaged or stained. The other open powders, looking at the, they were clean, not clumpy and smelled fine (no ammonia smell).  They are cardboard drums, so that's older, but I am going to open the smaller one and do a small batch of test loads in select pistol rounds (45 Acp, 9mm, .38 Spl) and see how it does. If it's good, I've just got a lot of fixin's for pistol ammo for a looong time...

Would you try it, if you found it under those conditions?

Heck yea. Start light at first.  

[RED333]

Green dot is one of favorite powders, I use it in 12ga, 410ga and in bee and snake loaded in 44mag and 45 Colt.

[Guest]

There's lots of folks with good, simple Green Dot & cast recipes for 45 (both), 44, .38, 9mm +p, heck, what's not to like? At least it's worth a.......................       .........................................................shot...

[gregintenn]

If it didn’t smell funny, I’d treat it like it was new production.

[leroy]

19 hours ago, gregintenn said:

If it didn’t smell funny, I’d treat it like it was new production.

What Mista Greg said... 

leroy...

[swiley383]

I found some powder today at tn gun country they actually had several different kinds 

[Alleycat72]

I GOT RL26!!!!

I GOT RL26!!!!

I GOT RL26!!!!

[Jamie Jackson]

Just now, alleycat72 said:

I GOT RL26!!!!

I GOT RL26!!!!

I GOT RL26!!!!

Congrats!

It's like striking gold isn't it?

[swiley383]

I grabbed some Varget should have grabbed some accurate #5 also last time I was there I got 200 primers.

[Raoul]

Of course. I've loaded a bunch of ammo over the years thanks to estate sales.