Story of Unknown Powder testing...

[The_Shadow]

In January a fellow on FB asked if anyone knew about this powder he had?  And he posted this picture of the unknown powder.  Everyone on FB told him to throw it out use it for fertilizer...he had about 8 lbs of it!



Here is that powder from the sample he sent me.



I Thought it was IMR PB at my first look, and after some more research I found two other powder which have the perforated flakes, older formulations of Hercules Red Dot and HiSkor before it became IMR700X.

Here is IMR PB powder. (as supplied by a friend in Texas)



Here is Older Hercules Red Dot before they had the red Identifier and it was perforated. (as supplied by a friend in Texas)



Well after more study of the powders and their loading charge weights I put together a few test loads in 40S&W
and managed to go shoot and here are the results...40S&W Storm Lake 3.78" conversion barrel in my Glock 29 using a 21lb spring set.
The New Alliant Red Dot 5.0 grains under a 175 grain cast did 1051 fps and 1056 fps

The unknown powder same setup 1000 fps and 997 fps

Next test I try some 9mm if and when I can get my Brother in laws pistol to see how they do in the 9mm.

9mm using 4.6 grains / CCI 550 Small Pistol primer Ruger P-85 4" BBL
CBC brass

122 grain Lee Cast TC  COAL 1.1000"  fired 2 of these
Vel. 1215

125 grain Lyman Devastator Cast HP  COAL 1.0900"  fired 2 of these
Vel.1180

115 grain Jacketed HP  COAL 1.1200"  fired 3 of these
Vel. 1220 fps

All cases and primers looked great upon inspection, all cycled perfectly as tested...Got to love it when you get to develop a great load and put it to work   I wish I had 8 lbs of the powder

[amada8]

  I wish I had 8 lbs of the powder

I got a chuckle out of this....