Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: screedler on November 12, 2021, 09:17:43 AM

Title: Hercules Green Dot powder (shotgun shell reloading inquiry)
Post by: screedler on November 12, 2021, 09:17:43 AM: Been a few years since my father passed away and he left behind a shotgun reloading station, more lead than i know what to do with, press, empty shells, wads, primers... heck I think I got what I need to reload a whole bunch of shells. But the thing I keep wondering is whether the powder he left behind is viable or not. 2 big metal containers of Hercules Green Dot. Anyone familiar with it? One can is almost empty, and it seems one of the cans is still sealed! I think it's a 4lb can. Worth using?
Title: Re: Hercules Green Dot powder (shotgun shell reloading inquiry)
Post by: wadu1 on November 12, 2021, 09:24:38 AM: Sure, the un-opened can would be fine. I'm loading old AL-8 that company went out of business years ago. Did the collection have primers? They could deteriorate over time if not stored properly. :twocents:

Also check Alliant Powder for recipes, https://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/green_dot.aspx (https://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/green_dot.aspx)
Title: Re: Hercules Green Dot powder (shotgun shell reloading inquiry)
Post by: timberfaller on November 12, 2021, 10:26:17 AM: No, its no good!!, send it and the lead shot to me and I'll dispose of it properly!!!! :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:

I've got powder that is over 30 years old, still good. Stored in cool and dry place, last a long time.
Title: Re: Hercules Green Dot powder (shotgun shell reloading inquiry)
Post by: huntingfool7 on November 12, 2021, 12:28:37 PM: The powder is likely fine. Green Dot makes a good ounce or 1-1/8 oz load. In a Federal Paper hull it makes a dandy 1-1/4 oz hunting load.
https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Powder.aspx?powderid=5
Title: Re: Hercules Green Dot powder (shotgun shell reloading inquiry)
Post by: GWP on November 12, 2021, 01:51:05 PM: Quote from: timberfaller on November 12, 2021, 10:26:17 AM
No, its no good!!, send it and the lead shot to me and I'll dispose of it properly!!!! :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:

I've got powder that is over 30 years old, still good. Stored in cool and dry place, last a long time.

No! No! No! No! Not to him! Me! Me! 😄😄😄😄😄😄
I have a 40 year old 4 lb partial of Red Dot that still makes shells that kick hard. A slight deviation in FPS is usually the difference in older powder that has been stored cool and dry. Not as big a deal as it would be in metallic.
As long as you don’t see ‘white stuff’ or smell an ‘acidic smell’ it should be fine.
Caution; Reloading can become addictive!