Old powder cans: How old are they?

"Pretty sure this one is early 60's (1961 dated label)..."

I'll be darned.

The "push pop" cap definitively dates it from late 1959 onwards. I didn't think that Hercules was still using the mini drums for their powder at that time.
 
And it's such an adorable shade of pink, too...

Was that the Barbie Edition Red Dot for Barbie and Ken's trip to the Hegins Pigeon Shoot?
 
Salmoneye, I was just about to post a reply but I think you answered my question. I'll mention it anyway. I was wondering if powder will last longer, under ideal conditions, in metal containers over plastic containers. Manufacturers probably made the switch to plastic for economic reasons.
 
Manufacturers probably made the switch to plastic for economic reasons.
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When Hodgdon took over IMR there were reloaders that wanted metal cans. Hodgdon researched manufacturers of metal cans and found only one left. They could not risk the possibility of not being able to find metal cans so they went to plastic for Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester.

F. Guffey
 
I've often wondered about the longevity of powder in plastic containers, as well.

I would hope that they would use a plastic formulation that is going to be stable over the long term.
 
The "push pop" cap definitively dates it from late 1959 onwards. I didn't think that Hercules was still using the mini drums for their powder at that time.
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Sorry for any confusion...This is a 3# keg...

Was that the Barbie Edition Red Dot for Barbie and Ken's trip to the Hegins Pigeon Shoot?
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LOL

When I first inherited the drum, I thought it had faded, but since then I have seen many on the auction sites, and many different shades of paint...
 
I have an old Herters 101 16 oz screw top can marked "Made in Scotland". The can is all metal. I have a Hodgon 4831 16 oz can with a "pop top" that is cardboard and has a metal top and bottom. There is a "Government Surplus" disclaimer on the side. Never really looked at them until I saw this post.
 
Yes, it's a 3 pound keg (I call them mini drums), but the lid on it is the same kind of push pop top that Hercules was using on their 1 pound rectangular cans at the same time.
 
Is Herter's still around? They were quite big at one time. I had a couple really nice recurve bows from Herter's and over the years had gotten a couple 99 Savage aftermarket stocks that came from them.
 
Good read on powder. Requires down load and your email. http://www.laflinandrand.com/page2.html
Bullseye1898.jpg
 
JD,

The Unique and Bullseye cans are from the 1950s. They're the ones that have the little metal pour spout when you unscrew the lid.

The Unique can is earlier, could even be just post WW II, as it picks up the old Hercules graphics from pre WW II.

The Hi Vel 2 can is from the 1960s. It has the push-pop top.

The Hodgdon cans are probably from the 1960s to early 1970s.
 
JD,

The Unique and Bullseye cans are from the 1950s. They're the ones that have the little metal pour spout when you unscrew the lid.

The Unique can is earlier, could even be just post WW II, as it picks up the old Hercules graphics from pre WW II.

The Hi Vel 2 can is from the 1960s. It has the push-pop top.

The Hodgdon cans are probably from the 1960s to early 1970s.
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Thanks for your expertise Mike. I still run into these at our local gun show -- with powder. Just bought a couple cans of the old AL-7 (Alcan), that is a wonderful powder for 38's. Still sealed and probably from the seventies.

I've been reloading since 1970, and not long ago, finished off a can of IMR 4756 that I had bought new for $2.29. (one pound):rolleyes: jd
 
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