Hello to the forum. I am having a hard time finding powder for reloading. My L.G.S. offered me a 5lb. unopened can of Hercules 2400 powder. I know it is older production but it has been stored in a temperature stable environment. Any ideas on its age. Also I know the sniff test for bad powder. Is there anything else I can check to see if it is still good? I would like to use it for cast reloads in my Krag and Springfield 03.
    Thanks in advance, KC

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Hercules became Alliant Powder in 1995 so it is at least 25 yrs old.  Is there a date on the can?  I have a 5lb plastic  jug of Alliant Unique someone gave me already opened quite a while ago I'm still using that is production dated Jun 29 1995 and appears to be still good.   I would think an unopened can stored properly would be good for quite a bit longer than that. But Hercules and 2400 had been around a long time before 1995 so it could be a lot older than that.

Thanks: I could not find a date on the can. It seems to be in good shape, no rust or dents.

Interesting that it's referred to as a 'rifle powder".  Today's description is magnum pistol and .410.  Although it was originally developed for the 22 Hornet.  Per Alliant. 
The date would have been hidden in the batch code I suspect.
Vic

If it passes your visual inspection and sniff test, you could try it out and see how it works. I'd suspect, considering the above, it might be just fine.

But, I don't think I'd depend on it for accuracy unless you test it out and see how it works for reliability and consistency.

Depending on how it was stored, what's on the bottom may perform differently than what's on top! Might want to roll it around and mix it some after initial inspection.

I've used old powder of my brother's from the 1970s without issues!

I have not finished up the canister of Unique that my father acquired sometime before 1965. I earlier asked if anyone else was using a powder that old or older. If I remember correctly no one else admitted it.
The Unique was originally in a paper and cardboard canister, it wasn't till about 20 years ago that I transferred it to a mason jar. Still using it for light loads in my 45s for snake shot and with some plated hollow points for varmints.
If your 2400 was not stored in direct sun and under reasonable temperatures it should be alright. Your metal container will be reasonably air tight, my paper canister was not. I made the mistake of using the 2400 for some higher pressure loads in a 30-06 with 100 and 110 grain bullets. It did make a ring at the point the bullet bases were and actually enlarged the chamber at that point. My solution was to set the barrel back .200 inches to get past that ring with the extraction problems. If you use it in your Krag with lighter loads and cast bullets you should not have that problem.

Fred, That is pretty old but, as you have found, can still work.

I would always recommend keeping powder in its original container, though. Glass is not recommended because the chemicals are a little less stable next to glass and it is more fragile in case something happens. Plus, non-transparent materials do not let U/V light penetrate and affect the chemical structure of the powder. Similar to medications- keep away from heat, light and moisture!

But, that's older than some of the powder I have used successfully!

It's probably OK, only one way to find out.

That's the vote of confidence I needed. Ths owner gave me a real good price on it so I will pick it up today. My friend says this powder is also good for .357 and .44 magnum loads. The cabelas by me had about 8 one pound cans of mostly shotgun powder in stock. It seems there is a run on reloading components. The clerk said they might not have any powder for 4 or 5 months thanks to a huge government order and the beer flu. I am glad there are still a couple mom and pop gun stores to shop at by me. Their days seem to be numbered thanks to increasing taxes and laws on them. This is a shame. Thanks again for the help.KC

KC, thanks for the tip about the run on reloading supplies. I'm retiring the end of this month and looking forward to reloading and casting as relaxing hobbies rather than just supplying the other hobby for the past 45 years.  Will have to check a couple gun stores on the way to the cabin this weekend and see what's left. I have a good and varied supply but never know how long the shortage could go for. As with the last hoarding episode I revert to plinking mode for a lot of my shooting to help stretch out supplies.

Good luck with upcoming retirement mavt. I look forward to that someday and lots of reloading and shooting!

One of my favorite places on the internet for powder, primers and bullets is

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I've bought lots from them in the past. Check them out to see what they still have in stock.

Whig, Thanks for the site info but the  "ma" in mavt is for Mass and we can't get reloading suppplies delivered here so have to physically search for them.  There is a rather large gun only store in NH I can check on the way to VT. Good thing is NH has no sales tax but even this store requires us to show a Mass FID just to be safe I guess. 

mavt wrote on May 13^th, 2020 at 7:44pm:

Whig, Thanks for the site info but the  "ma" in mavt is for Mass and we can't get reloading suppplies delivered here so have to physically search for them.  There is a rather large gun only store in NH I can check on the way to VT. Good thing is NH has no sales tax but even this store requires us to show a Mass FID just to be safe I guess.

FWIW, MidwayUSA will ship both ammunition and reloading supplies to MA if you scan and send them a copy of your FID or LTC. I’ve had powder and primers shipped several times. Just have to pay an additional hazmat fee. TargetSportsUSA will ship ammo to MA as well, just need to provide a copy of your license.

That's  good to know as a last resort with the extra cost involved. When this first went into effect a couple of the then smaller sources still shipped and then no one did and I never looked into it again.

Didn't know those restrictions. We don't have them here in Ohio and I have my own FFL which helps, I guess.

Hazmat fees are a problem if you try to order just a few things. Helps to go in with other people and get a bigger order.

Good luck finding what you need and want!!

FWIW, I have a thirty year old can of HERCO that my dad had used reloading 12 gauge skeet loads.  It's a cardboard can with metal top and bottom... and I used it for loading some .45 ACP ammo with no problems.  All went bang!

Whig wrote on May 13^th, 2020 at 9:33pm:

Didn't know those restrictions. We don't have them here in Ohio and I have my own FFL which helps, I guess. Hazmat fees are a problem if you try to order just a few things. Helps to go in with other people and get a bigger order. Good luck finding what you need and want!!

I used to live in Ohio and it was certainly simpler times. I remember the old gun shows and commercial row at Camp Perry back in the 80’s and 90’s. I haven’t been back to CP in years, but hear it is far different than it used to be.

MA has come down so hard on suppliers that most wont sell any reloading supplies regardless of willingness to provide proof of license and referencing online government laws stating it is legal to do so. Graf & Sons refused to sell me some 30-40 brass a few months ago. They did run it by their legal department, but ultimately got back to me and said it wasn’t worth it.

Yes, 30-40 brass is impossible to find around here. The last 100 cases I got  were ordered by a fella from another state that works with my son. I keep a supply of 303's in case it ever gets to that point to convert them.

Hello from central Massachusetts.  Since early March I and my family have been sheltering in place. and I have not been to my gun club.   As such, I have not spoken to any of my reloading buddies.  On this and other forums I have recently noticed  references to members' inability to purchase various brands and types of powder.  What is causing this?  Did reloaders begin hoarding powder late last year, and/or have powder manufacturers cut back on production, or are there other reasons for the powder shortage?  Thanks for any insight you can provide.

I stopped at Shooters Outpost in Hookset NH yesterday which is a large firearms only shop with a fairly extensive reloading dept and at first glance it didn't look like there is a run on reloading supplies. But they were out of a couple of the more popular powders - Bullseye and Unique and there was one lb. of H4895 left after I got mine.  Also out of CCI and Federal std large rifle primers but there were a couple other options available.

There were 16 in line waiting when the doors opened and I was the only one to go straight to reloading. They still ask for ID to make MA residents show an FID or LTC to purchase reloading supplies and ammo.

Picked up the free Hodgton basic reloading guide that has a powder burn rate comparison chart - there are now 168 powders listed WOW! Do we really need that many options? Many of the new ones show compatible to another in the same company's lineup. Are they actually generating addition sales or just replacing the sale of existing products?

When using a Citibank Mastercard the chip reader doesn't work. They said it is turned off (by Citibank I presume) because they are a gunshop. Has anyone else experienced this? You can use it just have to manually enter it - doesn't make any sense.  Just smoke and mirrors to appease some political group?

Not being from a Nazi state, yet (Ohio-not happy with Dewine about Covid crap), can you tell me what the FID and LTC licenses are?

Thanks and good luck finding what you need and want!

Whig wrote on May 17^th, 2020 at 6:24pm:

Not being from a Nazi state, yet (Ohio-not happy with Dewine about Covid crap), can you tell me what the FID and LTC licenses are? Thanks and good luck finding what you need and want!

LTC = License to Carry. It allows you to carry concealed firearms and own large capacity (over 10 round) rifles, pistols and shotguns. You must be 21 or older. Magazines that are over 10 rounds must be pre-ban era (before Sep 1994)

FID = Firearm Identification Card. It allows possession of rifles and shotguns that are not large capacity capable. You can apply for an FID at 18 or 15+ with parental approval

Both Licenses require safety training and an interview with local police which ends with photo and full set of fingerprints taken. All non antique firearms (1899+) must be registered with the state.

Any purchase of ammo or reloading supplies (primers, brass, powder or bullets) requires proof of valid license. Purchase of firearm requires online verification. There is still a ban on assault and copycat firearms made after 1994 and you can only buy pistols that are on the “approved roster”. The roster is limited to firearms submitted for testing and approval by meeting certain requirements set forth by the state. You can do a person to person transfer within the state, but are limited to 4 per calendar year.

Simple, right?   :D

Olpeddler wrote on May 14^th, 2020 at 1:33pm:

Hello from central Massachusetts.  Since early March I and my family have been sheltering in place. and I have not been to my gun club.   As such, I have not spoken to any of my reloading buddies.  On this and other forums I have recently noticed  references to members' inability to purchase various brands and types of powder.  What is causing this?  Did reloaders begin hoarding powder late last year, and/or have powder manufacturers cut back on production, or are there other reasons for the powder shortage?  Thanks for any insight you can provide.

In one word, hoarding. Think of grocery stores. You don’t call ahead and tell them that you’ll be there in an hour to buy some milk and bread yet they always have it. They have it despite them not knowing that you’re coming and not being able to get it from the farms and bakeries when you show up. They do that by knowing buying patterns and forecasting enough to have on the shelves but not so much that it spoils. This works well as long as the demand is stable and predictable. When there are catastrophic events that disrupt the equilibrium, you run out. Much like toilet paper, people began to panic buy ammunition. When ammunition ran out, many began buying reloading supplies. Eventually people realize they don’t need 2 years worth of toilet paper and things get back to normal. I suspect you’ll begin to see ammunition and reloading supplies returning shortly. Just my thoughts and 2 cents...

Which is why I do not panic buy whether it is food or food prepping equipment, lead, copper, silver, gold, electric dog polishers or whatever.  I made a plan to stock up on items little bit by little bit and stick with it every payday.  Then when times like these show up, and it will only get more frequent, I am sitting pretty on a stock pile or a hoard as some folks are wont to phrase it.

;)

Thanks for the explanation Mike.