any chance of identifying powder

[infideleggwelder]

first of all, does anyone know what powder Challenger out of Quebec is loading their target shot shells with?

second, i have an opportunity to buy 2 lbs of shotgun powder. only thing is, i don't know what kind it is. it`s flake,(little circles) very light, no smoke, little smell when burning, and burns clean. black in colour like GOEX black powder. i know that that isn`t much to go on, but for $10 a pound, there you go

 

[BCRider]

If you don't know what it is or have any loading data on it then it's only suitable as lawn and garden fertilizer.

 

[infideleggwelder]

thats what i figured. i bought all his shot(7 lbs no 5) and wads, all fiber, and cardboard. i wavered on the powder, but told him i need more info on it. was kind of hoping that black flake circle powder would be one of a kind.lol.

 

[silverfoxdj]

He did not know what kind it was?

 

[infideleggwelder]

it was not initially his. he`s a junk dealer and has everything. this stuff came from an old guys reloading bench several years ago, has been sealed in the containers since.

 

[mrspeel]

If it contains a few yellow flakes mixed in with the black it is 700x

 

[quinnbrian]

Sounds like .....Promo. Good powder, but a little dirty.

 

[tokguy]

If you don't know what it is or have any loading data on it then it's only suitable as lawn and garden fertilizer.

X 2 on this topic.

 

[Ganderite]

How much of it is there? If there is 20 pounds of it, I would buy it and then figure how to use it.

 

[Avalonthas]

Your hand, eye or face isn't worth $20.

No disrespect intended, but if you jump onto CGN with a text description (I would at least post pictures before tempting fate with others opinions to narrow things down) then you are far too inexperienced to proceed. Someone with more background could experiment and work up loads if it was worth it to do so (see ganderite note for 20 pounds).

 

[volkov956]

http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/search.php

We have used this helped lots with our surplus powder identification read and study carefully

 

[infideleggwelder]

volkov, thanks for the link. i like reading that kind of stuff. Ganderite, i wish there was 20 pounds, i`d buy it the go see you and work up a load for it.
i guess i`ll try to contact the company in Quebec that makes those shotshells, they may be able to tell be what they use with respect to my first question.

 

[RePete]

Unmarked cans - walk by it. That's an accident (or on purpose) waiting to happen.

Challenger may be using powders not available to the public.

 

[joe-nwt]

If you didn't actually remove the powder from the shells, there's no way to tell where the powder came from.

 

[shredder0]

Never, ever try to identify unknown powder by sight. That's all.

 

[RePete]

If you didn't actually remove the powder from the shells, there's no way to tell where the powder came from.

And even looking at it, you more than likely won't know.

 

[UR2X3M4ME]

If you have a few shot shells and you are absolutely sure they are made with that same powder as the 2 lbs, you have a load reference so have at her safely.

If you cannot determine with absolute certainty the powder currently used by Challenger is the the same as the 2 lb available, not worth ruining a good shotgun and yourself in the process.

Personally, just for 2 pounds, even if free, with the uncertainty and risk involved, I would rather kindly recommend you invest your time in telling fellow shooters how you convinced the scrap dealer to be responsible and got him to fertilize his lawn with it.

Too bad it's not about 2 kegs, I would race you to the junk dealer !!

Cheers

 

[sunray]

You can't tell anything about any powder by looking at it. Like BC Rider says, if you don't know what it is, pitch it.

 

[BCRider]

If it were 20 lbs and the cost was low I'd consider working up a load starting with ridiculously light charges.

The good news is that with shot shell loads it's not hard to clear a low power "squib" event by simply opening the action muzzle down so the pellets dribble out and use a dowel to clear the wad. And from that point to work up a load.

But it's not 20lbs, it's 2 lbs. And by the time you work up a load any money you save will have been used up in other supplies.

And even with pictures and someone saying that they have "X" powder that looks just like that this is still no guarantee of anything so you'd still have to start silly low and work up until the loads feel and chrono about right. And again for a measly 2 lbs it's just not worth it.

So even realistically it's rose plant food any way you cut it.

 

[UR2X3M4ME]

^^^
In full agreement