Metal Powder Cans

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  • HoosierHunter07

    Marksman
    Rating - 100%
    9   0   0
    Jul 22, 2020
    166
    28
    Borden
    Around what time did powder manufacturers switch from metal cans to plastic containers? I recently acquired some powder and a few are metals cans. Trying to get an approximate age on them.

    Thanks
     

    Trapper Jim

    Master
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    22   0   0
    Dec 18, 2012
    2,676
    77
    Arcadia
    The jump was not from metal to plastic but fiber (think cardboard) in between. 85 pound card barrels for bulk manufacturers were common also. I think I saw my first plastic container in early 80’s. Just a guess, however you can call in the lot number and they will tell you. 286F4DB1-B7EE-4ABF-950D-75420227D443.jpeg 507358AD-0D84-4A2D-9FFD-5EAD9B6DF6E7.jpeg
     

    Greffy

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Feb 20, 2019
    59
    8
    Los Angeles County
    I have some IMR powder that I believe was purchased in the early to mid 1990s and it is a metal can similar to the smaller (32oz?) metal cans (rectangular) that turpentine and boiled linseed oil used to come in.
     
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    Bill2905

    Master
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    4   0   0
    Feb 1, 2021
    1,945
    113
    Lake County
    I recollect using the cardboard cans up through the late 90's. They had a flat metal top with a plastic pull up spout. I remember the red and orange 1 pound Bullseye can in Trapper Jim's picture above. I got out of reloading in 2000 and when I resumed in 2014, everything was plastic.
     

    Nazgul

    Master
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    12   0   0
    Dec 2, 2012
    2,538
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    Near the big river.
    The plastic has some type of carbon compound in it to mitigate any static charge that builds up. Found out about this in a discussion of plastic black powder containers.

    Don
     

    Slow Hand

    Master
    Rating - 99.3%
    145   1   0
    Aug 27, 2008
    3,086
    149
    West Side
    I have some IMR powder that I believe was purchased in the early to mid 1990s and it is a metal can similar to the smaller (32oz?) metal cans (rectangular) that turpentine and boiled linseed oil used to come in.

    i always think of the much older Hercules square powder cans when I think of metal cans, but you’re right, IMR used the rectangular metal cans for quite awhile. Honestly I think most of the IMR powder I currently have is in those cans!
     

    clayshooter99

    Marksman
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    15   0   0
    Dec 3, 2008
    232
    34
    IMR/Dupont I believe was one of the last to be in metal cans of the well known powders. I am remembering those were still metal around 1990-1995
     

    Hookeye

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Dec 19, 2011
    15,039
    77
    armpit of the midwest
    I just found about eighteen 1# cans of Norma powder. Looks like R 123 was discontinued around 2010.
    R202 and 204 still made, but come in plastic now.

    Dunno if they switched to plastic while still making R123
     

    Michigan Slim

    Master
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    0   0   0
    Jan 19, 2014
    3,373
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    Fort Wayne
    A friend gave me these not too long ago. Both unopened. It's been a bit since powder was that cheap! I'll open them and try some loads when I'm out of everything else. The cans are dusty but no rust to speak of. IMG_20210416_071547158.jpg
     

    Leo

    Grandmaster
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    30   0   0
    Mar 3, 2011
    9,733
    113
    Lafayette, IN
    I was buying one pound Winchester 231, 748 and IMR powders in Steel cans before 2000, and Hercules Powders were in foil lined cardboard with metal ends them since the late 60's. I think Accurate Arms was the first I was getting in plastic jars in the mid 90's. Seems like it was all plastic about 2000 ish.
     

    2in1evtime

    Master
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    61   1   0
    Oct 30, 2011
    3,444
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    retired-midwest
    I am still using up a bunch 0f h335 that has price tags 0f 1.99 and 2.19 0n them, they are the cardboard with plastic pull tops on them!!! it has been well stored and goes bang perfectly
     
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