Some questions on powders

[ghosthunter]

So, I am new to reloading.
I have bought the Hodgdon 2023 manual.

I also went to a used book store and bought

Speer #  12 manual, Hornady third edition Manual, Lyman Ideal handbook #40, Nosler Number One Manual , Hogdons Reloading data # 19 and Herters  The Complete Handbook on Methods and Data For Reloading.

I am looking for more Lyman Manuals but hard to find in my area.

I inherited some unopened cans of powder, they have been properly stored for years. I have

Two 8 lbs cans of SR 4759 ( not IMR )
1 8 lb can of Hercules Green Dot 3/8
1 8 lb   Reloader 7 Rifle Powder
1 8 lb can of IMR PB

SR 4759 was discontinued years ago. So I am having difficult time finding load data. To confuse the issue there is IMR 4759 not the same thing.

My interest is reloading for 12 Ga, 7mm 08 REM, 410, and 45 Colt.

Questions,

1. What uses are for each these powders?

2. A year to focus on for data on  SR 4759

3. Some old data books list 4759 ( is that SR 4759) .

I am reading manuals and researching. Any info would be helpful.

Thanks

[hunter399]

I have no experience with old discontinued powder.
If there was case to start low and work up. This is it.

[Henrydog]

Green Dot is a shotgun powder, used for handicap loads.  Being that it is Hercules I think that would put the jug in the late 60's to early 70's  I don't load metallic but there are some pistol loads that can be made with GD.  Depending on how it was stored it might be better as fertilizer.   

 PB was a lower cost bulk powder for light 12ga target loads.  I don't think it has been made in 15-20 years.

On shotgun reloading do not change primers or wads from the published loads.  IE don't load a Fed primer when the data states Winchester or vice versa.    A change in either will cause use pressure differences and can ruin your gun, face, or something worse.   

[wadu1]

See if you can find some of the old powder guides that came with the powders. You should be able to find some data on SR 4759. That's where I got my loading data for 4756. I'll check and see if my old manuals have data for 4759.
I'm loading 10ga with 4756 and AL-8 both discontinued powders.

[Rob]

Regarding the discontinued powder.

If you are like me, you will spend a lot of time working up a proper charge and seating depth to optimize a load for your given rifle and bullet choice.  I would say this will take 20-40 rounds minimum - likely more.

Once you have it all dialed in, you will want to stick with it to avoid the overhead of load development in the future.  I would want to spend that time using a powder that has not been discontinued. 

Just my 2 cents!

[Rob]

I asked Bing AI chat about SR 4759 and this is what it came back with (Cannot attest to the accuracy):

I assume you are asking about the history of IMR SR 4759 smokeless gunpowder. According to my search results, IMR SR4759 was first introduced by DuPont in the early 1900s and was later marketed by IMR. However, it was discontinued twice - once in the 1960s and then again in 2014

[Rob]

I also asked it where I could find reloading data for IMR SR 4759 and it came back with:


You can find load data for IMR SR 4759 on various online forums and websites. One such website is Ruger Forum, where users have shared their experiences with the powder and provided load data for different cartridges. Another website that provides load data for IMR SR 4759 is Reloadersnest.com. They have data for many cartridges, including 222 Remington, which you were interested in.

Please note that the load data provided by these websites is not exhaustive and may not be suitable for your specific use case. It is important to always start with a small charge and work your way up while keeping an eye on the pressure signs. I hope this helps!

[C-Money]

Is the green dot in a big metal can? Great powder, my powder of choice for handicap trap loads.

[ghosthunter]

Regarding the discontinued powder.

If you are like me, you will spend a lot of time working up a proper charge and seating depth to optimize a load for your given rifle and bullet choice.  I would say this will take 20-40 rounds minimum - likely more.

Once you have it all dialed in, you will want to stick with it to avoid the overhead of load development in the future.  I would want to spend that time using a powder that has not been discontinued. 

Just my 2 cents!

Good point.

But with the cost of stuff these days, I do t want to throw away 16 lbs of powder if I can use it. Reloading just a retirement hobby for me ,and that amount of powder will likely last my life time as I am 72 and sitting on about 10 k  rounds in factory loads.

[MeepDog]

I have a question about powder and I don't mean to thread jack. If I pull a bullet from a factory load for a 150 grain bullet, measure that powder and put that same exact powder back in with a different 150 grain bullet am I gonna blow myself up? What if I used a little less of the mystery powder?

[ghosthunter]

Is the green dot in a big metal can? Great powder, my powder of choice for handicap trap loads.

Appears to be a Cardboard can.

[hunter399]

I have a question about powder and I don't mean to thread jack. If I pull a bullet from a factory load for a 150 grain bullet, measure that powder and put that same exact powder back in with a different 150 grain bullet am I gonna blow myself up? What if I used a little less of the mystery powder?

Depends.
Some bullets gain pressure more quickly.
Copper vs lead.
Some factory rounds may be loaded to max as others are not even close.
The answer is no it won't always be "safe".

[C-Money]

Is the green dot in a big metal can? Great powder, my powder of choice for handicap trap loads.

Appears to be a Cardboard can.

Looks like this? I remember my Dad using powder in cans like these in the 80s...Hope your powder is still good, as Green Dot is around $300 a keg now.

[gramps]

Re: Dupont  SR 4759

In my Speer manual from 1961, the only loads listed are for reduced loads in some of the .30 cal. magnums.  Non for pistol or shotgun.

As mentioned, IMR SR 4759 is not the same as Dupont SR 4759.  My understanding is that old manuals that list 4759 without the SR are referring to SR 4759 as the old ones were written before IMR was available.

I used WWII surplus 4831 or 4895 until the 1970's.  An un-scientific test for old powder is to take the lid off the container and take a short smell of the contents...if it has that distinctive odor , it is still good.  Also, if one is to pour some out and it has a brown or rust colored powder on the powder particles, it is no longer usable.

[jrebel]

Does the gunpowder smell good??   Bad gunpowder will have a sulfer / urine ish smell.  If it smells good, I would continue the research and find out if you can work a load with it. 


You could always do a test burn with it.  Take a piece of electrical tape and stick it in the powder to coat the sticky side of the tape.  Lay it on concrete and light it.  See if it burns consistently and at a rate you would expect it to.  This works best if you have a similar burn rate powder next to it as a comparison.  I'm sure someone close will oblige in giving you enough of a new powder to test yours against. 


If there is any doubt, just buy new powder.  As you said....at 72 y.o. and as a hobby reloader.  You won't need but a couple pounds of powder for each project.  Cost will be negligible and it will be a lot safer.  You could probably sell the old tins to offset the cost of new powders.  Again....this is if you have any doubt about the powder being good.