Old Powder

[Shooterontheline]

I ran across a can of 700x a while back and realized that the factory stamping and
lot number stated it was manufactured in 1970. It appeared that the can was well sealed for all those years. The powder still had that fresh new powder smell. So I loaded up a few rounds with the stuff (keep the charge on the low side). Fired off just fine, no issues.
Anyone had this similar situation?

[gandog56]

As long as the powder has been stored in reasonable conditions, if it has never been opened it should still be good. Don't use if it seems discolored or has an acrid odd smell.

[Shooterontheline]

Still as fresh as day one.... BTW, I have loaded over 500 cases with this 700x powder and not a single misfire and ejection issues. When I opened the can it still had about 7 pounds of powder. Lucky me....

[jebsca]

May be a good idea to check load data from that time frame. You may find that the loads are a bit different 40 years later, cause the powder is a bit different 40 years later.

[WarEagleEd]

I have some old powder from the early '70s that my dad had on hand. It smells fine and the color is right, plus it was stored in a relatively cool and dry place, so I plan on using it.


May be a good idea to check load data from that time frame. You may find that the loads are a bit different 40 years later, cause the powder is a bit different 40 years later.

jebsca is right concerning load data for old powders. You probably want to load based on data that is from the same era as the powder (which is what I am going to do). If you don't have vintage load data then you could contact the manufacturer. I would think they could steer you in the right direction.

[gandog56]

May be a good idea to check load data from that time frame. You may find that the loads are a bit different 40 years later, cause the powder is a bit different 40 years later.

Is the powder different, or the corporate lawyers trying to justify their pay?

[Mbaker78]

Is the powder different, or the corporate lawyers trying to justify their pay?

I would imagine a bit of both...

[jebsca]

Is the powder different, or the corporate lawyers trying to justify their pay?

I would go with both too. It wouldn't be too hard to find someone that has been reloading since 1970 and asking them to check the load data for that round and that powder, and compair it to todays load data. It could be that things are the same, and it could be that they have had a change in suppliers or something over 40 years, and things are just a bit different. I think my face is worth the extra bit of reading. And you may be right, and the lawyers have had them back it down a bit. If that's the case, then the old data would tell you a higher max load.

[Shooterontheline]

Before loading any powder new or old I research through many sources until the ink is worn off the page. Fortunately the loading data is still available. As an Engineer you are trained to look at an issue from all sides. Being a very conservative person my loads are always to the low side of the chart. The corporate lawyers have nothing to discuss.

[jebsca]

Being a very conservative person my loads are always to the low side of the chart.

I would say about the same thing, but it is more because I am cheap.

[Shooterontheline]

Cheap is good! ;)

[renofish]

Stop Shooting the 700X powder it is noooooo good.......send it to me and I will dispose of it for you free of charge!

[WarEagleEd]

I decided to compare the load data in my dad's old Hornady reloading manual (c. 1967) with my 9th edition Hornady manual and see if there were any changes in the powder charge table. I was curious about the 7.5 X 55 Swiss cartridge. Interestingly, there was no change in the load data for all powders that were common from one manual to the other. I thought that there might be some difference, but there wasn't. I am not saying that they don't ever change over time, just that they haven't in this particular instance. I thought that was interesting and was even a little surprised.

Ed

[jebsca]

I bet more times than not, it would have no change. With that said, better safe than sorry tells me to assume nothing and check it out.

[WarEagleEd]

I bet more times than not, it would have no change. With that said, better safe than sorry tells me to assume nothing and check it out.

I agree, and to clarify, I only checked the load data for the 7.5 Swiss cartridge and a 150 grain bullet.

Ed

[jebsca]

So, have you been able to load some up and test it out?

[WarEagleEd]

I haven't. I am still doing some research, trying to find out what shape bullet is best (boat-tail, flat-base??).

Ed

[gandog56]

For 7.5 Swiss I used 40.2 grains of H4895 and a 168 grain BTSP bullet. They worked out good. For a 150 grain bullet, I would jump that up to about 40.8 grains.

[Shaggybull]

one of my local shops has 700x on the shelf.........at least last time I was in.

[WarEagleEd]

one of my local shops has 700x on the shelf.........at least last time I was in.

I picked up some 700X a few months ago. I was surprised to see it on the shelf, but I think I got lucky on my timing and they had just recently received some new stock.

[gandog56]

Just cleaning out my pigsty and found a bottle of 800X I didn't know I had.