John-
Here's a photo of Benchmark, Varget, and IMR-4895 from my powder supply:
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[Linked Image]
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When the vagaries of digital photos, adjustments of computer viewscreens, color software, and the human visual system are mixed together, there's a lot of room for foul-ups. The Benchmark in the photo is sort of glistening khaki (much like Mann's description of greenish brown), the Varget is a shiny dark silver, and the IMR-4895 is a lustrous black.

The Benchmark bottle bears a lot code sticker indicating it was packaged in 2001. Benchmark was my first encounter with a Hodgdon Extreme powder. I noted its color was odd when I first opened it, and my sample's color hasn't changed noticeably However, it would not be surprising if the powder maker has changed the coating's color at times during the last 16 years.

Thanks.
--Bob