reloading old powder?

[B.D.Dubloon]

I have about 4 pounds of powder that was salvaged from some old 1944 Turk ammo. Is it okay to use this to make modern reloads for new gun. I am planning on starting to reload .38's and would like to use this pwoder as opposed to buying new propellant. Is it "dirty" compared to new powders, ad will it corrode my gun?

BDD

[USN CHIEF]

Well, it is a tuff call since there ain't a lot of info on it, but if you send it to me I will re load it and tell you how it performs. I will pay for shipping.. LOL.

[Waldog]

If you don't know exactly what the powder is it is going to be tough to load. You don't know what a starting load would be or what a max load would be. What kind of TURK ammo, pistol or rifle. What caliber?

As far a corrosion, old gunpowder will not corrode your barrel. Barrel corrosion comes for OLD mercuric Primers.

[Fjold]

I'm assuming that the Turk ammo is rifle ammo so it will not work in a 38 special. As a matter of fact it will not work in anything. If you are a very experienced handloader with experience developing wildcats or loads with modern powders for old cartridges, etc., then you could use it to develop loads in rifle cartridges that have similiar case sizes as whatever the Turk cartridge was.

Other than that, you're just asking for trouble.

[B.D.Dubloon]

It was in some 8mm that had hard primers. That is disappointing that I can't safely use it. I guess I'll just make amusing fuse trails and whatnot with it.

BDD

[USN CHIEF]

It was in some 8mm that had hard primers. That is disappointing that I can't safely use it. I guess I'll just make amusing fuse trails and whatnot with it.

BDD

Well, just make sure that you record it and you post the video... LOL.

[Peter in CA]

Turk powder

Dubloon,
I have been using Turk powder for a few years now, with my standard 8mm load being 37 grains of Turk powder with the 150 grain Turk bullet. I use Remington cases and CCI-200 primers. It shoots accurately in my 8mm rifles, being particularly accurate in my Turk 8mm rifles.

I believe that this load would work in any caliber with the same size case (.30-06, etc) with a 150 grain bullet. Drop it down a few grains for 180 grain bullet, raise a grain or so for a 130 grain bullet.

As always, look for signs of excess pressure in your rifle. Your mileage may vary.

The GunBoards have been discussing this powder for quite a while now.

Peter in CA

[diginit]

Always start low and work up. This is rifle powder so don't use it in a pistol load. It's Really good stuff for a bolt action Mauser. Load weak for a semi- auto. Buy yourself a 24/47 or K-98 and shoot the heck out of it!

[22popnsplat]

I reload using surplus powders at times , these come from known sources . Any time i get powder that is questionable or from a unknown source I dump it on the lawn , the high nitrogen will green up the grass.