I would imagine that 4895 is one of the older ones... Which version of 4895 in current production would be the closest to the original offering?

What about 4831, and H380 (or the military equivalent of H380?)

Just wondering...

Dan

Just from my memory when I started reloading in 1953 we had the imr series from 4227 thru 4350 and Hercules had Hi-Vel 2 which was a double base powder like RL 15. Later in the 50's Hodgdon came out with Ball C, 4895 and 4831.

I have some cans with prices on them of $1 and $1.25 a pound. I bought a keg of Ball C (60lbs) at a low price and 4831 was everywhere at $.60 a pound. That 4831 is some of the best powder ever.

I still have about 4 pounds of that 4831 left and is is still good today!
We paid 50 cents a pound for it about 66 or 67.
Divied it up among several folks at about 10 pounds apiece.
It was HELL to get thru the Lyman 55 measure!
That is why I prefer ball/spherical powder to this day!
LouisB

There's a little confusion here, but some sources date Unique and Bullseye back to 1898. Red Dot and 2400 came out in 1932. I have a questionable date of 1920 for Herco. 3031 in 1933, 4198 in 1935 and 4350 in 1940.

Hodgdon went into business when he bought surplus WWII powders in 1946? Anyone got any other dates or corrections?

Bye
Jack

Sulfer, charcoal and sodium nitrate. A.K.A. Black powder (still the best muzzle loader propellent by far)

Fg
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and
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Hello,
Phil Sharpe covers this subject pretty well in his book:"Complete Guide to Handloading"
Alliant Bullseye was originally brought out by Hercules in 1898. They introduced Unique in 1900.
They issued 2400 and Red Dot much later,in 1932.
The earliest of the IMR powders is 3031,introduced in 1934.The rest of them,4198,4227,4064,4350,came out the following year. Slow powders,like 4350,must have been developed during the War.
I've used some of the other powders listed in the book,but I haven't seen any of them lately.
Frank

Dupont had some two digit powders in the teen's or twenty's which predate the IMR series. I think there was a No. 15 and a No. 19, and possibly others, but the Hercules lines are definately the oldest I'm aware of still in production. Can't say whether there may be some
European Nobel's that are older. What about it, do any of our Continental friends know?

Potassium nitrate. Sodium nitrate will work but attracts water so isn't nearly as useful.

According to this account, the original Bullseye was the diamonds left after "Infallible" flakes were punched out of sheets. Unique replaced Infallible later. Flake Bullseye came out in 1904.
http://guns.connect.fi/gow/arcane3.html

Bye
Jack