Hercules Bullseye Powder In Old Square Can

[loaded round]

I have a sealed can of Hercules Bullseye powder in the old style square metal can with the metal seal still intact (never opened). The can and label are in excellent condition and probably dates back to the early 60's. Anyone venture a guess what it's worth if put up for sale to a collector?

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I believe that most collectors would prefer the can was empty. The fact that it is still sealed may bring a premium to some but I would have big concerns about the condition of the powder inside.
A couple years ago I was given two cans exactly like yours, one had a $3 and change price tag on it from a defunct local retailer. I opened those sealed cans and found one was decaying and the inside of the can rusted and a bad acid smell. I dumped the powder in the garden and gave the can to a friend for his collection. The other cans Powder was fine so I loaded some to test. It shot fine and I still have a bit of it left.
Thanks for the reminder, I am going to dump it and offer the can to a collector.

 

[Ka6otm]

Around here, those cans sell for around $5.00 each.

I've got 9 or 10 of 'em I use for decorations around the house.

 

[Johnnu2]

A couple or three years ago, I sold an old, square can of Unique (empty) for $10.... I believe I sold it on our very own Forum if not mistaken. FYI, the powder was still good so I used it all up before selling the can. J.

 

[gtxmonte]

I have several old powder cans, including a full one of the Unique ones you are asking about. I use old powder all the time. Have some here from the 60s. If it doesn't smell bad, it isn't..........use it.

My empty cans? Yeah some of the old ones are worth a few bucks. I see them at gun shows all the time. Not sure I ever saw one priced more than around 10-15 dollars though. So I just hang on to mine. Cost more to send it to someone than it's worth

 

[daveg.inkc]

I have a 2400 square can. They have cool caps on them

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I have a 2400 square can. They have cool caps on them

That domed snap on lid is an amazing little invention. Probably cost too much to make today.

 

[AJGUNNER]

I have them in Bullseye, 2400, and 3 different ones in Unique. If they don't have a zip code they would be pre-1963. I loaded up a full can of the Unique this week. It shoots just fine. I would love to trade you an empty one for your full one, if you are just going to dump it and sell the can. I don't know if they sell or not but there is usually a few listed on e-bay.

The price tag on the Bullseye is $2.79.

 

[sixshot]

I still have several of each that are both full & empty of Bullseye, Unique & 2400. If it doesn't have an ammonia smell its fine to use. My son's are still using some surplus 4831 powder I gave them that's several years older than these 3 Hercules powders.

Dick

 

[loaded round]

I was hoping to sell the full can.

I have them in Bullseye, 2400, and 3 different ones in Unique. If they don't have a zip code they would be pre-1963. I loaded up a full can of the Unique this week. It shoots just fine. I would love to trade you an empty one for your full one, if you are just going to dump it and sell the can. I don't know if they sell or not but there is usually a few listed on e-bay.

The price tag on the Bullseye is $2.79.

 

[AJGUNNER]

I was hoping to sell the full can.

I have them in Bullseye, 2400, and 3 different ones in Unique. If they don't have a zip code they would be pre-1963. I loaded up a full can of the Unique this week. It shoots just fine. I would love to trade you an empty one for your full one, if you are just going to dump it and sell the can. I don't know if they sell or not but there is usually a few listed on e-bay.

The price tag on the Bullseye is $2.79.

I think the hazmat fee would kill the price for me----unless of course you were thinking the original retail price. :wink: In that case---I am all in and happy to pay for hazmat. :) I paid $50 for the 6 cans pictured and all of them were full. They came with some home made period correct dippers (cut down shell casings with handles attached) and a handful of recipes.

 

[loaded round]

I don't know anything about a hazmat fee.

I was hoping to sell the full can.

I have them in Bullseye, 2400, and 3 different ones in Unique. If they don't have a zip code they would be pre-1963. I loaded up a full can of the Unique this week. It shoots just fine. I would love to trade you an empty one for your full one, if you are just going to dump it and sell the can. I don't know if they sell or not but there is usually a few listed on e-bay.

The price tag on the Bullseye is $2.79.

I think the hazmat fee would kill the price for me----unless of course you were thinking the original retail price. :wink: In that case---I am all in and happy to pay for hazmat. :) I paid $50 for the 6 cans pictured and all of them were full. They came with some home made period correct dippers (cut down shell casings with handles attached) and a handful of recipes.

 

[gtxmonte]

Powder is explosive........to LEGALLY ship it, you have to declare it, pack it right and pay a hazmat fee. Of course you CAN just throw it in a box and hope for the best. But if they happen to randomly X-ray that box, you will be making posts here from federal prison...........LOL!!!!

 

[sixshot]

Black powder is explosive, didn't think smokeless powder was. Knew it was flammable.

Dick

 

[loaded round]

Not if it's shipped via UPS.

Powder is explosive........to LEGALLY ship it, you have to declare it, pack it right and pay a hazmat fee. Of course you CAN just throw it in a box and hope for the best. But if they happen to randomly X-ray that box, you will be making posts here from federal prison...........LOL!!!!

 

[gtxmonte]

Not if it's shipped via UPS.

Powder is explosive........to LEGALLY ship it, you have to declare it, pack it right and pay a hazmat fee. Of course you CAN just throw it in a box and hope for the best. But if they happen to randomly X-ray that box, you will be making posts here from federal prison...........LOL!!!!

Incorrect.............to LEGALLY ship it, you WILL have to pay the hazmat fee and the box is marked "dangerous goods" and to the best of my knowledge you have to have a license to ship dangerous goods. USPS won't do it period. Fed-Ex MIGHT, with proper paperwork but it has to be shipped express, meaning overnight. Order powder from ANY online supplier and you have to pay them hazmat fees, because THEY have to pay them. Why would YOU be able to ship it any differently.

But if you want to risk it, just throw it in a box and send it. It's done everyday. Just hope you don't get caught. That powder can would have to be made from solid gold to take the risk

 

[protoolman]

The cans are worth about $10 a can empty at gun shows in my area. If full maybe $20 but most buyers really are not interested in the old powder.

 

[loaded round]

Thank you.

The cans are worth about $10 a can empty at gun shows in my area. If full maybe $20 but most buyers really are not interested in the old powder.

 

[pruger45]

I'll give you $30.00 for the 1 pound can of powder.

 

[loaded round]

Thanks, but it would cost me almost that much to ship it too you.

 

[daveg.inkc]

The cans are worth about $10 a can empty at gun shows in my area. If full maybe $20 but most buyers really are not interested in the old powder.

I probably wouldn't use old powder. In the 1959 Speer #3 manual I recently bought, they tested ball powder that had been exposed to moisture. Left in cardboard lid cans, where they purposely got wet. Let it dry and could tell no difference. And they had used Unique powder dating to 1900. Who knows how long it lasts.