This is a test project to see how good or bad this can of 80 year old powder is. This was a new sealed can.
The problem was that I could not find any load data.
Apparently it was discontinued around 1945. 

it says smokeless, so you should be able to observe the explosions clearly.   

Make sure you record video of the tests -- for posterity!

Dupont Pistol Powder #5
9-7-2025

As people get old and die off, sometimes they leave behind good stuff that the surviving family needs to get rid of.
Old-time shooters/reloaders often have sizable stockpiles of powder and primers.
I recently obtained some "Dupont Pistol Powder #5"  for reloading pistol ammunition.
A quick google search indicates that this powder was discontinued in the mid-1940's.
That would make this powder around 80 years old.
Being a curious person, I thought it would be fun to load some ammo with this Dupont #5.
Here is what I found...

The Dupont #5 came in a rectangular can with screw top. The can only contained 8 oz./ a half lb.
The can still had the original cellophane wrapping and appeared to be in good shape.
The powder appeared to be fine. No weird smell or appearance.
I poured some out and burned it. It burned like any other gunpowder.

A major problem I had was finding data for loading this old powder.
I couldn't find any.
Fortunately, I discovered that it was used for military 45 acp ammo back in the 30's-40's.
I have dissected some 45 acp ammo from that era and it typically contained about 5 grains of powder.
That's pretty typical even in 2025.
So I loaded one round with 4.7 grains and shot it into my bullet trap. It worked fine.
It functioned the gun and did not exhibit any signs of high pressure.

Here are some chronograph results from some 45acp test loads I made up:

Load#1
4.1 gr Dup#5- 200 gr LSWC-Rem 2.5 primer-"ammo inc" brass
V=628 SD=36

Load#2
4.7 gr Dup#5- 200 gr LSWC-Rem 2.5 primer- Winchester brass
V=778 SD=37

Load#3
4.7 gr Dup#5- 230 gr plated hollow pt-Rem 2.5 primer- Winchester brass
V=682 SD=27

My thoughts-
The speed of all these loads seemed to have a lot of variation.
Other than that, it seemed to be pretty typical 45 acp for practice loads.
I don't see any reason why I couldn't just use it up for my weekly practice session.