I just discovered a jug of H450 that was in my powder storage area. I looked up some loads in older reloading manuals and found a load that looks interesting for the 270 Win. and 130 gr Sierra boat tail bullets. Just can't figure out how old this powder is, and can't remember when I purchased it. Anyone got a clue on how old it is, and is it still safe to use. I is in the original container and was closed tightly.
Thanks in advance
Frank

It was discontinued in the late '90s, '97 or '98, IIRC. As long as it was stored properly, go for it.

Use a magnum primer. I had problems with H450 powder. Pulled bullets showed it would start burning then just quit in 22-250. Not even moving the bullet from the case.

quote:

H450 Powder

It's among my favorite powders in the .243 and in the .264.....wish I could find a few more pounds.

Old data showed H-450 to be very close in burning rate to H-4831. The two powders are adaptable to the same cartridges. (The .22-250 is not one of them!) The .270 Win would be a good example of an appropriate application.

Being a Hodgdon surplus powder, H-450 was undoubtedly manufactured in the Olin facility at St. Marks, Florida. It may have been the same spec powder as the long-since discontinued WW-780BR, and probably also had a WC- military designation.

Thanks all,
I will load up some .270 and see what happens. I will post the outcome.
Thanks again,
Semper Fi

quote:

It's among my favorite powders in the .243 and in the .264.....wish I could find a few more pounds.

H450 behind 190 gr. SMK's using Fed. 210's was my most accurate 600-1000 yard 30-06 load.

Still have a couple of 8# jugs left, works well in 243 WSSM w/100 gr. bullets, also w/the Fed. 210's.

Regards,
hm

Super powder for the .338 Win with 250 gr. bullets. Hogden sold the stuff for years, then quit for a while, then brought it back, then finally quit. Still wish I had bought a bunch.
C.G.B.