Help with buying used powder

[anhero]

hi everyone, i'd like to thank all the CGNers and the mods for being such a great resources. I'm new and almost practically live here since finding. that being said....

i'm new to reloading and have purchased a progressive and single stage lee press from a gentleman who was selling off his reloading equipment and supplies. i was looking at purchasing 3 canisters of hercules 2400 smokeless rifle powder from him, but could not find very much information on this manufacturer.

i wanted to know how i could tell if the powder is still good and if there are any data available somewhere for this powder. i'm looking at reloading .223 for up coming long range competitions rather than buying match ammo.

any help would be appreciated and i'm trolling/lurking through the forums as we speak.

[sorensen440]

Personally I would not buy any powder that was open

[bohoki]

2400 is not recommended in 223

its good for 357,44mag,30 carbine

[diginit]

Help with buying used powder

Powder can only be used once.

You want a ball powder. Win 748 works well for 223. H335 works well also. Do a search of this forum.
Powder will last a long time if it is kept cool and dry. If it's clumped together or contaminated, put it in a tube with a fuse and dispose of it. Or just take it to a fire station (without the fuse) and they will dispose of it properly.

[freakshow10mm]

Hercules is now Alliant. Go to alliantpoweder for load data. #2400 is used for magnum revolver, not for rifle unless you are shooting cast.

[anhero]

thanks everyone, this definitely put me further ahead than where i was before.

i'll check out alliant and read up some more there. really appreciate it.

[gunboat]

2400 is a very useful powder and has a long life -- A good buy if the price is right -

[CHS]

Used powder is only good for pipe bombs.


Uhhhhh.. errrrr... Nevermind

[Beelzy]

2400 is a nice magnum pistol powder. I would NOT use it for rifle loads in .223.

If the powder has that "ether chemical" smell it should be fine. If it smells
irritating like acidic, the powder is no good. OR you can do the yankee test
by burning a small amount. Erratic burning is a giveway.

Personally, I would not take someone else's powder. That is like wearing another guys socks.

[rayra]

I'd be leery of buying anyone else's hand-me-down powder. And I'd do my utmost to obtain another smaple from somewhere else to compare it to, before I considered using it.
New powder can be had in bulk for ~$19/lb and not much more than $23-24/lb by the pound, retail. To me it isn't worth the risks or hazards to buy someone else's powder.

[rawcut]

what if its still sealed in the original container from the 80's? like some imr-4320

[diginit]

Sorry, Can't help you . I voted yes on 8. Gay liberals are the reason I can't have an AR without a bullet button. And I don't like pink guns. I could go on....So just load it to the max, shoot it and find out!

[Seesm]

Dignit I like his reply... FTW!!

[SDgarrick]

Anhero, best Username EVER!

[anhero]

after much reading, i've decided buy the powder, but not use it to reloading. I did this for several reasons:

first: safety, as most of you have indicated to me and the cheapness of powders.

second: i didn't get that ether or alcohol smell, not that i smell ether or alcohol on a regular basis. although the powder was not clumped up.

third: i want to play with gun powder!!!

forth: i picked up 8oz for $5