Shotgun Bulk

The Du Pont Magazine

Sept-Oct 1922

A 30 Year Test of DUPONT SMOKELESS Powder

In 1893-nearly thirty years ago [from 1922], the first lot of DUPONT SMOKELESS Shotgun Powder was manufactured . It is doubtful if its inventors realized at the time that this first hard-grain bulk smokeless powder was destined to revolutionize the world's ideas of shotgun shooting.  

In Wilmington, Delaware, in the office of Mr. A. Felix du Pont, a vice-president of the du Pont Company, there is today a small canister containing a sample of the first lot of DUPONT SMOKELESS. This powder has been in the same canister since it was manufactured in 1893. 

Thediversified climate of Delaware furnishes a severe test of smokeless powders. Extremes of heat and cold, wide ranges of humidity and a high annual rainfall are expe rienced. Time has all but effaced the printing on the canister, and the climatic changes of thirty years have played havoc with the heavy coat of paint which formerly covered it. 

But what of the pow der how has it stood this most rigid test of time and conditions? 

On May 25th, 1922, a test was made of this first sample of DUPONT SMOKELESS. It was loaded in shells and tested for velocity, pres sure and pattern in com parison with lots of and the leather itself. The Pyralin Sheeting used in the windows of the bus is 50/1000 of an inch thick. Non-shatter able, it affords a factor of safety that bus patrons are quick DUPONT SMOKELESS manufactured during 1922. 

• The result:                                            1893     1922

• Velocity over 40 yds..........................939fps    926fps 

• Pressure, tons per sq. in...................5.53        4.78

• Pattern % at 40 yds...........................59.5%     58.9% 

• (f. s.-foot seconds)                (patterns in 30 in. circle)

The pressure developed by the 1893 powder is somewhat higher than would be considered normal at this time. Manu facturing methods perfected in recent years have enabled us to control pressures to a remarkable degree, and greater uniformity of all ballistics is now the rule with du Pont powders. We are justly proud of DUPONT SMOKELESS. We are proud of the results shown bythe test of this first sample of DUPONT SMOKELESS. We are proud of the manner in which it has "kept the faith" with the sportsmen of America, and proud of the manner in which it has justified their confidence. The safety and accu racy of shooting demand that you know your powder. Knowwho made it; know who is back of it ; know the guarantee it carries. And you can onlyknow when the name of a reliable powder is plainly branded on the shell top shot wad, on the carton and the case. Buy shells loaded with du Pont powders -the best kind of shooting insurance. 

1935 magazine ad still shows the canister for bulk shotgun.