Thread: Anyone know anything about Nobels powder?

Originally Posted by Skeetshooter

The only data I've ever seen for Nobles 64 in 410 is for a 3/8 oz load, it's not really a powder for loading 410,
Heavy 12g loads and 20g is it's forte,
Nobles powders of that age were made in a factory in Scotland which burnt down or blew up way back in the 80's.
Not to be confused with information you will find on the net now for nobles powders, these are modern powders made in Europe with no relation to the old stuff.
I've used nobles shotgun powders since the 70's, I've never heard of the 'Nobles parabellum 10 powder' you are seeking info on,

It's listed in line up with my MRC whackamole for 410. And in 12ga Lee whackamole.... Lol

I came across some more info https://wiki-gateway.eudic.net/wikip...arabellum.html

"The higher-powered Cartridge S.A. Ball 9 m/m Mark IIz (9m/m Ball MK 2z) was in production from September of 1943 until 1988, and was graded as NATO standard in 1962. It was designed for use in submachine guns such as the Lanchester, Sten, and Sterling. Bullet weight is 115 grains (7.5 g) over a charge of 6 grains (0.39 g) of Du Pont SR.4898 or Dynamit-Nobel Parabellum Powder. Velocity is 1,300 feet per second (400 m/s) at 20 yards (18 m). It can be distinguished from the 9-mm Ball MK 1z by its purple annulus around a silver primer."

If it's a single base powder (likely given the vintage?) then I guess 6 grains makes sense as it would be a slower burning powder?

There is a chance it was a powder made for the armed forces, specifically for 9mm,? Never released to the general public maybe?
Sold off later as surplus?

Originally Posted by Skeetshooter

There is a chance it was a powder made for the armed forces, specifically for 9mm,? Never released to the general public maybe?
Sold off later as surplus?

That could be the case especially since it's not in its original packaging. I'll will run the test Oldbloke described when I get my hands on some modern powder suitable for 9mm to compare burn rate. At least that will be a starting point.

A few of my early nobles tins, bigger round one would be the earliest, followed by the smaller round tins,these would be 1950's at a guess,pinkish tin 1960's, grey tin late 60's early 70's

Second one down in the right should say repacked by CAC from memory

Yes, all the round ones say that ,
I'd have to check the other two,
Most of them are full, I'm tempted to load a few shells and try them.

Probably not what you want to hear but, I would pour it out in the garden.

Not in original package? How well do you trust the fella that gave it to you's memory?

Also that tin looks pretty degraded, did it smell a bit funky?

Originally Posted by Rated M for Magnum

Probably not what you want to hear but, I would pour it out in the garden.

Not in original package? How well do you trust the fella that gave it to you's memory?

Also that tin looks pretty degraded, did it smell a bit funky?

Surprisingly it smells normal. I think I will run the test that Oldbloke described just out of interest more than anything. I don't think I'm going to be brave enough to load and shoot anything with it unless I come across a junker firearm I don't mind sacrificing and I can find some more reliable info on what it actually is.

It's 3,600 loads for a 9mm. Not to be sneezed at.
IMO, trying say,,,2.5 grains with a lightish bullet will likely be safe. (The old fella thinks he used 4gr)
Not my, powder, firearm or face but that's what I would do.

Can always give yourself some distance with 3 or 4 metres of string and some sort of protection/guard/shield.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

IMO, trying say,,,2.5 grains with a lightish bullet will likely be safe. (The old fella thinks he used 4gr)

Wonder if going that low would cause a squib?

Load 1 round, fire it,
If a squib no harm done, clear barrel and up the charge and try again.
Really it all comes down to how sure you are of what the old fulla told you is true.
People blow guns up because they double charge a case with powder, or load a case with 35 grains of fastburning shotgun powder instead of 35grains of slow burning rifle powder etc.
I load my .38 revolver with 4grns of long obsolete shotgun powder,there isn't a shotgun powder made that won't have an application in a handgun somewhere. That's my 2 cents worth.

Originally Posted by Skeetshooter

Load 1 round, fire it,
If a squib no harm done, clear barrel and up the charge and try again.

Spot on.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

It's 3,600 loads for a 9mm. Not to be sneezed at.
IMO, trying say,,,2.5 grains with a lightish bullet will likely be safe. (The old fella thinks he used 4gr)
Not my, powder, firearm or face but that's what I would do.

Can always give yourself some distance with 3 or 4 metres of string and some sort of protection/guard/shield.

So about $260 in today's prices. Still doesn't seem worth the hassle to me.

What if it's the dregs of 5 different powders?

What are you willing to risk? It's certainly an engaging topic so far but I'm not looking forward to the update post from our friend here saying he blew up a gun or ended up getting a squib so bad he had to take it to a gunsmith.

The advice on how to blow up a gun safely was a nice touch as well

Originally Posted by Skeetshooter

Load 1 round, fire it,
If a squib no harm done, clear barrel and up the charge and try again.
Really it all comes down to how sure you are of what the old fulla told you is true.
People blow guns up because they double charge a case with powder, or load a case with 35 grains of fastburning shotgun powder instead of 35grains of slow burning rifle powder etc.
I load my .38 revolver with 4grns of long obsolete shotgun powder,there isn't a shotgun powder made that won't have an application in a handgun somewhere. That's my 2 cents worth.

Agree. Firearms in general have a huge safety margin designed into them.