DU Pont Improved Military Rifle Powder Number 4227

[YRUpunting?]

Hello All,



I found two tins of DU Pont Improved Military Rifle Powder Number 4227, they are Lot No. 29 and I'm guessing they are 1960's era.  The tins appear to be unopened, and other than some surface rust have integrity.  They were my grandfathers and have always been stored properly.  Can the powder be loaded safely?  I'm hoping to use it in a 357 Mag handi rifle with plated bullets, so the charge would be close to the starting point.


Thanks,
Dan

[pme166]

Does it smell bad or is there any reddish rust like stuff in it?  If not I would probably use it.


4227 can be found on the IMR powder web site.  I don't load it in the 357 Magnum, but it is the cat's meow in the 357 Maximum!

[YRUpunting?]

No smell at all and looks like the pound of Lil Gun I bought today.  I've been using H110 in my Max, so I'll have to look into 4227.

[stimpylu32]

YRU
 
 4227 also does very well in the 22 Hornet and 45LC , Its all I used for years .
 
stimpy

[JD]

Just remember that there have been changes to the actual burning rates and such since then. Use older load data or start low, slow, and careful.
 Also note that the factories (Hodgdon & IMR) both had a 4227 with slightly different burn characteristics; the new 4227 is the hodgdon variety.
I love it in the 357 Herrett
not trying to be a killjoy; didn't know if you were aware of the history or not
 
 
EDIT: Just read another thread here and realized that I was wrong; I have it backward. The companies combined and did some streamlining of product. I will post a new thread and try to find a source.

[YRUpunting?]

Thanks JD.  I figured I'd start with the starting load out the new Lyman manual, set the bullet out a little and not crimp it and see what happens.  Since I'm loading for a Handi rifle only I think the risk is minimal.