Old Powder Cans

[Pastor Gun.zales]

View attachment 577560I bought this can of SR4756 while attending grad school at the University of Wyoming in 1970-71 school year.
Still has some powder in it!

Gibson's was my go to store as a young man! I bought a lot of ammo and arrows equipment from them, until one day that wouldn't sell me .22lr ammo because I wasn't 21. Some new lady said it can go in a handgun and I can't sell you handgun ammunition. It was probably the first time I felt what people in the Soviet Union/California go thru.

 

[del2les]

He's got those old 8# and 16# kegs setting around everywhere with empty hulls in them. He used to set one under his mec grabber to catch primers in, then fill potholes in the driveway with spent 209's. People didn't know what to think seeing all those primers laying on the ground.

Those were days when we could buy 209 primers under $10/1,000, shot was $9-10 a bag and reclaimed shot was $7 per 25#, and I could buy those 8# Hercs for $35 and the 15# were around $65. Our old MEC loaders sure loaded a lot of skeet/trap and various upland game loads, and back then, even a fair amount of duck and goose lead loads.

We had a guy who would take trips to pickup lead shot with his trailer, so often to save money, we would all combine our orders and buy shot by the pallet. Reclaimed shot was so cheap then, often, I used it in my casting furnaces to make cast bullets.

 

[Citified]

I also have some AL5 Alcan powder. I'm not positive I think my 45th edition Lyman might have some data. Can't check because I am in the process of moving and all my loading stuff is packed away.

This old chart may help you. Been reloading for 60+ years

 

[BrienM]

Those were days when we could buy 209 primers under $10/1,000, shot was $9-10 a bag and reclaimed shot was $7 per 25#, and I could buy those 8# Hercs for $35 and the 15# were around $65. Our old MEC loaders sure loaded a lot of skeet/trap and various upland game loads, and back then, even a fair amount of duck and goose lead loads.

We had a guy who would take trips to pickup lead shot with his trailer, so often to save money, we would all combine our orders and buy shot by the pallet. Reclaimed shot was so cheap then, often, I used it in my casting furnaces to make cast bullets.

All true. I remember another local supply guy got a ton of shot for $13/bag and sat on it for long time cause right after shot dropped to $8/$9 a bag again.
When Dad went after shot he'd pick up two ton in his dually. He bought it by the skid. They'd set two skids with fork truck. We unloaded it by hand.
I think he's still got part of either a 12# or 20# keg of 800X. Its similar to that Yellow bucket/can of herco you posted earlier but it's painted black.

 

[Knight]

Wow .those were the good old days and the nights weren't bad either...lol
.

 

[M1A1ABRAMS]

4 one pound cans of Winchester Magnum rifle powder in Sandpoint, Idaho. $30 each.

You need a vacation. Come and see the Gettysburg battlefield. Oh and don't forget the powder. lol

 

[tigerrose01]

You need a vacation. Come and see the Gettysburg battlefield. Oh and don't forget the powder. lol

I love spending time on the Gettysburg battlefield...even though one of my grandmother's great-great-uncles was hit in the stomach by a Confederate canon ball. However, I don't have any powder for you...unless you want some of the old metal cans of IMR-4350 that I have.

 

[hunter0528]

View attachment 577570

Anyone remember these old boys?

I've got one from 2400 for a couple of pistols I used.

 

[gunner1stclass]

My Dad had a reloading supply shop when I was younger and we've reloaded for long time. We dug out some old powder cans this evening that he's acquired over the years. Prices on a few of them. Good times. Thought maybe some may enjoy here.
View attachment 577471View attachment 577472View attachment 577473View attachment 577474View attachment 577475View attachment 577476

Just thought I'd add to the pics

 

[Ol' Red]

If I'm interpreting the lot numbers right, we've got a couple 8# steel kegs that appear to be 90's era.

I purchased an 8 lb can of HiSkor 700X and 800X in 1989 in metal cans. I used all of th 700X, but still have a couple pounds of the 800X left. 12 grains of 800X under a 240 grain hard cast SWC works great in my .44 mag. I just shot several rounds a couple weeks ago. I still load IMR 4198 out of steel cans in my .30 Herrett. I have a can of H4831 with a paper label, but I won't open it. Several empties are on display in the reloading room.

 

[BrienM]

Just thought I'd add to the picsView attachment 577773View attachment 577774

Is that the price tag on that 8# 3031 keg? How much was it? Can you take a picture of the lot# on the bottom? Do you remember when you bought it to connect the date of manufacture with the lot number on the can?

 

[Leaf Litter]

I got a couple old ones from my Grandpa's basement. No idea on age, but the primers still work fine. The powder inside was not original, but it works also.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I had some really old powder cans that were half full, a bunch of antique factory ammo and some Alcan primers IIRC. I brought all of that stuff to my LGS and told him to give it to any of his customers who might have a collection. I may be a bit cautious, but I wouldn't even think about reloading any of the really old stuff.

I do have some Winchester bi-centennial 30-30 ammo that is in red-white-blue boxes. The shells themselves have nickel cases and a silver bullet nose IIRC. I bought 5 boxes in 1978 and still have them. I'll sell them to a collector at some point.

 

[osprey176]

Got a couple old cans from my son recently. This one was unopened,with a price sticker on it that reads $2.50. No rust,smelled normal,so I loaded it. Gave me good groups out of my .223 and .308 Win.