Reuse powder from factory ammo

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HasegawaYamato

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Hi CGNer,

I have a nice fellow whose doing precision shooting, while Im a tin can plinker.

He got some cheap Federal .300 WSM ammo and reloaded them for precision shooting, so there is quite a lot powder from the Federal factory ammo taht he does not need anymore.

I'm thinking reuse the powder, but I cant really find any useful info on the spec about it. I learned that the factory might be using non-standard powder and should be avoided for hand loading, but maybe I can load some blanks with it? As they are not from mil surplus, I guess it will be bit safer to do so?

Thanks in advance for any info on that! :p
 
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Don't do any guessing on it: without positive ID, you could be risking your rifle and possible injury.

The only circumstance I'd be reusing unknown powder in this circumstance is if I pulled it from a known number of say 30-06 cartridges and refilled the same cases. But as one might imagine, there is little point in doing this except if someone were trying to precisely meter that powder equally between the cases from which it came, for highest consistency in those cartridges.
 
Powder I get from ammo that is not suitable for use again goes to an Indigenous friend who uses it in ceremonies. I don't handle black powder at all.
 
How much powder? If several pounds, you can estimate the powder speed by looking at the bullet wight and factory powder charge. Then use that assumption to look up a Start load for your intended caliber. It is probably something around 4831 in speed.

If less than a few pounds, it is not worth the effort.
 
Ganderite said:
How much powder? If several pounds, you can estimate the powder speed by looking at the bullet wight and factory powder charge. Then use that assumption to look up a Start load for your intended caliber. It is probably something around 4831 in speed.

If less than a few pounds, it is not worth the effort.
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That's sarcasm right?

A good rule, never "Estimate" or make "Assumptions" when it comes to ANYTHING related to reloading.
 
Thanks for the heads up, I will not use them to load live ammo for sure. I was thinking use the powder to load some blank ammo. I heard people load blanks themselves by simply replace the bullet with a piece of something like styrofoam. Sounds unharmful but I would definitely be looking for some advices before I made stupid mistakes.
 
Ganderite said:
How much powder? If several pounds, you can estimate the powder speed by looking at the bullet wight and factory powder charge. Then use that assumption to look up a Start load for your intended caliber. It is probably something around 4831 in speed.

If less than a few pounds, it is not worth the effort.
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Not as much as few pounds, but appreciated for sharing the method :p
 
Did he weigh the charges when he pulled them down? With the charge weight & bullet weight & 300wsm data you could probably figure roughly what the powder is similar to.
 
300_savage said:
Did he weigh the charges when he pulled them down? With the charge weight & bullet weight & 300wsm data you could probably figure roughly what the powder is similar to.
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It does not matter. Do no use it.period
Ammo maker do not use canister powder but bulk powder that is adjusted - even mixed to obtain the desired characteristics.
There is absolutely no way to know what it is. It has no use.Dump it.
 
My guess is Reloder 19 or very very similar given that Federal and Alliant are under the same corporate umbrella.
 
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Leatherstocking said:
Sprinkle it on your lawn, supposed to be good fertilizer.
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Or close up a half-cup or so in a small cardboard box and put it onto the coals of a woodstove. The whomp sound caught my attention and I turned in time to see sheet flames coming out on three sides, around the door, and even around the lids. Impressive!
 
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