| Posted: Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 04:33 AM |
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1st Post |
Rockydog
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| Joined: | Tue Jul 26th, 2005 |
| Location: | Wisconsin USA |
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I think I had this discussion here before but might revisit it with some details.
I had an elderly neighbor who I'd never met. About 3 years ago, just after I moved here, he developed Alzheimers and was moved to nursing care. Last year about this time his wifes health failed too and she was moved to the same home. I wish I could have met this gentleman he at one time owned a sporting goods store in town and I think someone said he was also a teacher. This guy made longbows, built craftsmanlike Black powder rifles, was a reloader and wildcatter. His favorite cartridges were evidently a 6.5 Gibbs and a 7mm Mashburn Magnum. When the family sold the house and had a garage sale I was waiting at the door. I bought about $200 of stuff the first day, including a forster bonanza press, reloading dies, gunsmith tools, scope mounting drill and tap kit, inletting rasps, inletting action screw sets etc. There were also a full assortment of Belding and Mull dies and a Belding and Mull press that I wasn't interested in. They were asking a ridiculously low price for it. I told the son what it was worth and he thanked me profusely. I also offered to go through the rest of his stuff which he let me do. I put die sets together with shell holders etc. Grouped reloading stuff, gun parts etc. into lots for him so that they could e-bay it if it didn't sell. He seemed grateful as he really doesn't share his dad's hard core enthusiasm for shooting.
About two weeks later I get a call at 8:00 PM. It's the son. The house closing is the next day. Every thing is out of the house but the garage is stuffed with the leftovers fron the garage sale. He has a van but no help. He says he hates to ask for help but doesn't know which way to turn. I put my shoes on and head down the street, taking my truck. We start to load his van but it's obvious it's not all going to fit. He starts stacking by the curb. He's telling me what he want's, we put it in the van, the rest goes to the curb or my truck. I ended up with about all the box would hold. Curly maple scraps from ML building big enough for turkey calls and knife scales, an amesome cartridge collection of about 150 calibers and wildcat calibers, a bunch of scrap lumber, fiberglass cleaning rods etc., Handloader Magazines from the first 3 years of publication, 20 mostly complete years of American Rifleman and about 15 pounds of assorted gun powder.
Some of this powder is in original cans, some in relabeled cans, and some in generic cans used for packing canister powders. I actually got a cardboard drum from H4831 and 5 hand labeled cans of 4831. I've used a bunch of the powders I was really confident as to the contents already. So far 4831, IMR 4064, IMR 4198, and DuPont 3031. There is also a can of H450 in an original can with a paper label that I'm confident about. Remember this guy sold this at his store. One can was dated 1957 another 1953. All smell fresh, no odor etc.
What I've got left are 3 cans of Ball powder as follows:
Can 1: Yellow paper label reads as follows: Western Ball Powder, Blend number 3, Caution, with each new blend begin loads with 3031 data. Recommended for all centerfire cartridges from 30 to 60 grains capacity. This powder is extremely fine, almost like ash, but definitely ball.
Can 2: Identical paper label except Blend number 3 is crossed out with a grease pencil and 20MM is written in its place. In the next line 3031 is crossed out and 4831 is written in its place. In the next line From 30 to 60 grains capacity is crossed out and with large capacity is written in its place.
Can 3: Is a Hogdon 4350 can with 4350 blacked out with grease pencil every where it appears on the can. It says 30 Ball on the can. And has this recipe in grease pencil:
Common sense tells me to toss it out. But, every thing this guy did was neat and precise. There were literally hudreds of cigar boxes in his basement with fly tying materials. reloading components, arrow fletching etc. all labeled and recorded. I've really got the sense that this powder is labeled right and I guess the romantic side of me says I'd really like to try working up loads the way these guys did 40 years ago. Am I completely nuts to even think about using this stuff? I told the son on garage sale day that nobody was dumb enough to use it. Anybody here been reloading long enough to recognise these powders? RD
Sorry for the long post but I neededto give you some background.
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"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." ~ Thomas Jefferson ~
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| Posted: Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 03:24 PM |
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2nd Post |
wheezengeezer
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With can 1 I would go with what it says,but back way down .can 2 ,could be as fast as WC866.they also used 870,872,and 875 .IMR 7013 was also used but may be an extruded powder.3 other powders were also used,CR8325,VTL-1375-502-52,and 75-1-177A.H870 starting data should work. Can 3 is most likely WC846,a ballistic twin of BALL-C. If these are just 1lb cans it wouldn’t be worth blowing up a gun to save a few dollars.
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I was raised in the 50's on gunpowder and jackrabbits.salt and pepper wooda made'em taste better
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| Posted: Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 07:43 PM |
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RemMan700
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wheezengeezer wrote: With can 1 I would go with what it says,but back way down .can 2 ,could be as fast as WC866.they also used 870,872,and 875 .IMR 7013 was also used but may be an extruded powder.3 other powders were also used,CR8325,VTL-1375-502-52,and 75-1-177A.H870 starting data should work. Can 3 is most likely WC846,a ballistic twin of BALL-C. If these are just 1lb cans it wouldn’t be worth blowing up a gun to save a few dollars.
Becareful!! You did say the older gentleman had alzheimers. We dont want to have to start calling you Stumpy. 
Last edited on Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 07:45 PM by RemMan700
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| Posted: Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 09:00 PM |
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Yooper
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For what it's worth, I had a full pound of IMR 4350 that sat on a shelf for years. I decided not to risk using it so I called our local State Police post, talked to a guy on the bomb squad, and they came out to the house, picked it up and brought it back to the post to destroy it. It just didn't seem worth risking a good rifle to try the stuff. Since you're not sure what "blend" might mean, I'd suggest you dispose of the stuff. Like the guy said, we'd hate to start calling you "stumpy."
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| Posted: Mon Mar 23rd, 2009 09:32 PM |
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Gutshot
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Before you through any out I will take it off of your hands and will pay the postage. I am retired and have the time to work up loads with them blends and all! I have some powders over 60 years old that are still good. Let me know.
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| Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 06:29 PM |
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Bigdog57
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When in doubt, old powder makes fine fertilizer...... It is a nitrogen product after all. 
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Lifelong Florida Cracker!
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| Posted: Thu Mar 26th, 2009 11:11 PM |
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7th Post |
swampshooter
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I remember all these powders, but you can't be sure they are as labeled, pitch 'em.
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