Powder age

[Slow Poke]

I picked up some powder from a guy no longer in the sport. I have only been reloading for about 15 years and have not seen these containers. Can anyone tell me when they stopped putting powder in these? 

1 is 700x

1 is red dot cardboard tube

 

 

not worried about the powder just curious about the age of containers. 

Edited December 3 by Slow Poke

[Stump Water]

Those are older than any containers that I have.  And I have some from 1986.

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Your nose can help you tell whether if it is too old to shoot.  If it has an acid smell, dispose of it.  (There is plenty of additional information online.)  I spread any unlabeled powder donated to me near the roots of an elm tree.  The tree loves it.  BTW, some of those old powder containers have value.  My wife sold some old, empty ones I got from my late father's estate for as much as he paid for them in the 60s new.

Edited December 4 by Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971
clarification

[Cypress Sun]

Looks like DuPont ceased gunpowder production in 1975 according to the internet.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Late 1960's, early 70's. 

[Eyesa Horg]

A brief Google lens search found one the owner said was  1964 for the 700X can.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

If you’re not comfortable with that Red Dot I’ll take it off your hands.

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

I had those same containers back in 1972.

Powder normally stores very well if kept cool and dry.  I see no outside signs of water, mold, rodent chewing, or distortion by heat.   Good chance those powders will perform to current loading data.   Try a little - and I hope you have ...good luck.  GJ

  

[watab kid]

i had a kegjust like that of red dot - it had been stored well and worked just fine , if these have been stored well id not worry , 

 

a lot of the ammo stored at the gun range is in a shed - no conditioning , it all works just fine - i do store mine indoors in conditioned space , i just cant bring myself to put it in the garage without temp and humidity control yet there is a few boxes of ammo in my car most of the time that is like being in the garage and it always works just fine , 

Edited December 3 by watab kid

[Crisco]

If it still has a nice sharp smell to it, it should be fine, but if you have any doubt load just load up half a dozen rounds and see how they work.  I’ve used some really old powder from estates and not yet run into any that had gone bad.

[Widder, SASS #59054]

I started reloading around 1975.   Back then, I recall seeing those style cans of 700-X.

 

But I don't recall that style can of Red Dot...... probably because my supply store didn't have any.

 

I once had some 20 year old reloaded .44 mag ammo, using H-110.

I also had some 20 year old H-110 powder and a NEW can of H-110.   I loaded up a few 'fresh' rounds from each powder can

and choreographed tested velocities of my OLD ammo,  fresh ammo loaded with my OLD powder, and fresh rounds

Loaded with my NEW powder.    They ALL performed the same.

 

Stored and kept correctly, our powders can basically last us a life time.    I've never heard any stories of deterioration when

stored correctly.

 

..........Widder

 

[Griff]

My 1st 8lb container of Red Dot looked just like that... (circa 1974).  

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

Jed is always up for an adventure.

 

Load up a handful and send him to the range.

 

😁

[buffalo chip jed]

9 hours ago, Lawdog Dago Dom said:

Jed is always up for an adventure.

 

Load up a handful and send him to the range.

 

😁

I don't shoot 700x so I'm good

[High Spade Mikey Wilson]

I worked at a LGS in the early '70's while in high school, and those were the powder containers used at that time.

[Col. Cornelius Gilliam, SASS#5875TG]

I still have (3)-8lbs cardboard containers like the one pictured above. One each: Unique, Red Dot and Bullseye. I bought them new, in the early-mid 80's and they have been empty of powder for a long time. Use them to store pistol brass. 

[watab kid]

nuthis wrong with 700X ive used a lot of it over the years - granted mostly in shot shells , but some in revolver/rifle ammo , 

[Blackwater 53393]

I picked these two up a couple of years ago.  I have no intention of using them unless at great need. Both of them are still wrapped in the cellophane that they were originally shipped in and are unopened.

 

I WOULD like to know their approximate age and any original loading data for 30-30 Winchester and maybe a pistol load or three.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 8 by Blackwater 53393

[Nickle]

10 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

I picked these two up a couple of years ago.  I have no intention of using them unless at great need. Both of them are still wrapped in the cellophane that they were originally shipped in and are unopened.

 

I WOULD like to know their approximate age and any original loading data for 30-30 Winchester and maybe a pistol load or three.

 

 

 

 

My experience is imr 3031 and 4198 doesn’t age well. I have alot of old powder that was properly stored but the 3031 and 4198 went bad. My powder was from the 90s.

When you open and pour it lots of rust. The cans that were never opened seemed to do better than previously opened cans. 

I would get usually  3 or 4 good shots at 100yards with one or two flyers that would go really

High probably from pressure.  I would take compressed air and blow the rust off my reloading gear after using the rusty powder. 

This imr powder was stored right beside Winchester and Hercules powder of same age and it was only  the 3031 and 4198 that went bad

[Blackwater 53393]

These two have been unopened! The cellophane on the one is in original condition and that on the other is only torn in a few spots. The one that has tears in it was damaged in transit a couple of years ago.

 

Like I said, I would only use these at greatest need, but I WOULD  like to know their approximate date of manufacture.

 

I DO have a few small pieces of antique gun history in my gun room…

[Slow Poke]

On 12/4/2025 at 7:38 PM, watab kid said:

nuthis wrong with 700X ive used a lot of it over the years - granted mostly in shot shells , but some in revolver/rifle ammo , 

I use 700x in my 44-40s works great.

 

[watab kid]

9 hours ago, Slow Poke said:

I use 700x in my 44-40s works great.

 

yes , i loaded my 45 colt with it when i ran out of red dot , then i found red dot keg and switched back - using up the 700x in my shot shells , 

[Blackwater 53393]

I spotted a picture on the internet of a can labeled like mine that is said to be from the 1940s!

 

I don’t know for how long that label was used.