Bullseye!

[barnfrog]

Toward the end of the day yesterday I saw a friend at work whom I had asked about good local sources of pistol powder a few weeks ago. He had made a couple suggestions but none of them panned out.

Fast forward to yesterday and he tells me his dad has an unopened one-pounder of Bullseye and a nearly full one-pounder of Red Dot he's not going to use and will give me. They're nearly 40 years old, but he said the Red Dot passed the sniff test, and I figure if the BE was stored in the same place it should be fine. I'll have to chrono a few rounds to see how much power they may have lost, but I think they should still be usable for target ammo.

Looking forward to trying the Bullseye, mainly. I'll probably order a box or two of Missouri's powder coated 158-grain SWCs to match with it.

 

[hdbiker]

I have Bullseye that's 30 years old and is my go too powder for .38 SPL with wadcutters

 

[EMC45]

It should shoot. I have Bullseye (and 2400 and Unique) in square metal cans with intact seals that I plan to shoot up. I haven't seen "age" effect powder unless it is degrading.

I scooped a bunch of loose IMR 3031 out of the bottom of an olllllld .30 cal ammo can that shot just fine. It was in a paper bag that had busted and spilled all in there and it was probably put in there in the early 60s.

 

[Catpop]

RD is a good 9mm powder- for me anyway.

 

[bullseye308]

That’s awesome. I can never let my bullseye age like that, I seem to go through an 8# jug every couple years.

 

[barnfrog]

RD is a good 9mm powder- for me anyway.

I was noticing that in my Lyman 50th. I don't shoot 9mm but I load it for a friend.

That’s awesome. I can never let my bullseye age like that, I seem to go through an 8# jug every couple years.

I figure a pound will last me at least a year, unless I can get to the range more often.

 

[.45Coltguy]

It should shoot. I have Bullseye (and 2400 and Unique) in square metal cans with intact seals that I plan to shoot up. I haven't seen "age" effect powder unless it is degrading.

I scooped a bunch of loose IMR 3031 out of the bottom of an olllllld .30 cal ammo can that shot just fine. It was in a paper bag that had busted and spilled all in there and it was probably put in there in the early 60s.

I also have a couple of those square Hercules cans of 2400 I got a few years ago. Gave it the burn test and sniff test. Passed fine. Works fine in my .357's.

 

[FROGO207]

Yeah that stuff seems to age well in most instances. I have recently used up a pile of early 60's propellamt and had zero problems with any of it. Bet your is the same.

 

[barnfrog]

I'm actually reluctant to open it, because it's such a cool container.

 

[murf]

a collector might want that pound of bullseye since it is unopened.

murf

 

[ParallelCode]

I'm actually reluctant to open it, because it's such a cool container.
View attachment 1075023

I love the logos/artwork on old powder containers and factory ammo boxes.

 

[barnfrog]

a collector might want that pound of bullseye since it is unopened.

I was thinking the same thing. Or maybe that I should start my own collection. I have a couple of unopened metal IMR cans to go with it.

 

[Blue68f100]

I opened a can of Herco just like that 6 mo ago. Every thing was still good inside. The outside of mine had some surface rust. A price tag of around $2 if I recall. Was only a 11 oz can.

I switched to WST for my BE replacement. Burns cleaner at reduce loads.

 

[WeekendReloader]

If a collector was willing to pay a decent price for it unopened, go for it. Personally, I would not "collect" a full can of old powder for fear of it eventually deteriorating and catching fire.
If not, I would open it and use the powder, then either sell or keep the empty can.

 

[Bfh_auto]

If a collector was willing to pay a decent price for it unopened, go for it. Personally, I would not "collect" a full can of old powder for fear of it eventually deteriorating and catching fire.
If not, I would open it and use the powder, then either sell or keep the empty can.

Plus one. Powder isn't alcohol. It doesn't get better with age.

 

[bullseye308]

I’d put the powder in a different container clearly marked and sell that antique. Use the money for more components. I do it frequently and it makes things more fun.

 

[AgPilot]

a collector might want that pound of bullseye since it is unopened.

murf

I’m a collector!!!

 

[Bandit67]

I love those old cans. I found this unopened can of HiVEL rifle powder at an estate sale last week. Still has the original price sticker of $2.75. HiVEL was discontinued in 1964.

 

[barnfrog]

I've decided I really ought to use the powder if it's still good. When I tried to give John some money for the powder he adamantly refused, and said his dad was just happy someone would use it. So use it I will.

 

[lightman]

40 years is not too old if it was stored properly. I would use it.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I love those old cans. I found this unopened can of HiVEL rifle powder at an estate sale last week. Still has the original price sticker of $2.75. HiVEL was discontinued in 1964.
View attachment 1075118

LOL!!! That's $26.71 in today's money. Yeah, how I WISH! that was a current price.

 

[Bottom Gun]

40 years is not too old if it was stored properly. I would use it.

Come to think of it, my underwear may be older than that.