Vintage kit.

I was given a box full of old darkroom gear,2 cans of film and a bulk loader. I thought it would be kind of cool to load the film (Kodak high contrast copy, expired in March of 1963) into the bakelite bulk roller and give it a go.
Two questions. One: How to test the loader for light tight? Maybe put a few inches of tri-x into the holder and leave it for a few days then develop?
Two: How to rate the old film. I think one can holds Plus-X and the other contains High Contrast Copy.

Thanks,
Mike

I've done a similar run of old film and old bulk loader testing and found that the plusX was fine (1963 as well) and the faster stuff was gone (Eastman 4X.) I'd do the test you suggested with the loader and then roll short rolls of the old film through it - I do 10 shot trials. I had good luck with HC110 on the old PlusX and some Panatomic X I got with my loader. A little fog but fun nonetheless. Have a ball!