I was loading up some 22-250 tonight and when the powder measure got low I grabbed another can of IMR-4895 and poured it in. I noticed it almost seems a little reddish in colour and seems maybe dustier than usually although I'm not sure as its been a while since I last reloaded. Then I checked my measure on the scale and the charges were really light compared to what it was throwing before. I drained the powder and opened another new can which was airtight as well and it weighed light as well. The powder is aprox. 15 yrs old but so was the other stuff. What gives?
Bad powder?
- Thread starter gyman98
- Start date
If it has reddish-orange dust and a very strong "chemical" smell and rust marks on inside of can it has gone bad--best thing to do is to sprinkle it on your lawn. There were some lots of imr powder that were improperly processed during manufacture and break down in a short time. The powder performs very erraticly if loaded but LIKELY would not produce dangerous pressures. The condition can be accelerated if the powder was stored under too warm conditions. I once bought an 8 pound keg of 4895 that hade been stored under a furnace duct of 5 or 6 years which was no good.
44Bore
44Bore
- Location
- In the middle of gopher country
Ditto on 44Bore
Check the lot number on the back of the cans, if they are all the same lot number and were stored the same way they will all be in the same condition.
By the way you described the powder, I would say it's done and ready to spread on the lawn.
By the way you described the powder, I would say it's done and ready to spread on the lawn.
