I have a several pounds of IMR 4320 in the older metal containers.I noticed in one of the containers there is a brown dusty looking material.Am I safe in assuming that this powder is not fit to use?
Old Powder
- Thread starter savage112
- Start date
Pour it out into another bigger container so you can see it. Mine had clumps and discolored pieces. That went into the lawn as fertilizer.
I also learned using it can cause delayed detonation. Not fun.
Post pictures if you can.
I also learned using it can cause delayed detonation. Not fun.
Post pictures if you can.
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About 30 years ago I did something similar in my wife's flower garden. There was close to five pounds of a powder similar to 3031 called #44. I burned off a pound but because of anxiety from my wife I stopped and told her it would make good fertilizer. That it would make her flowers more colorful etc.
Well Ganderite mentioned that powder likely didn't break up when mixed into the garden a few years ago.
He was right. I went to the area where I disposed of the powder and the extruded granules were still there. Not shiny or rusty as they had been when I dumped them but they were very discernible
The #44 powder I used caused a barrel on a Winchester Mod 70, 257 Roberts to erode rather quickly
If it is _only_ brownish dust and the powder looks and smells good, it may just be rust from the can. Maybe the can got damp and was manufactured with an imperfect seal.
I've been told that powder can be dissolved in tolulene/tolulol, poured into a cookie sheet and after you break up the resulting "chips" they make good fire starters.
I've been told that powder can be dissolved in tolulene/tolulol, poured into a cookie sheet and after you break up the resulting "chips" they make good fire starters.
leebuilder
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I come across questionable powders from time to time. I pour some out on a clean pane of paper towel, get a good lot on there and roll it around, if it's bad it will leave a fine yellow to brown dust on the towel.
When in doubt chuck it out. It don't break down that quick in the garden, and its not as fun as burning off.
Be safe
When in doubt chuck it out. It don't break down that quick in the garden, and its not as fun as burning off.
Be safe
coyoteshooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
rust on the can etc .... my test..... handed down to me....pour some powder into a plastic jug or etc but plastic..... swirl around to create some static between container and powder ...after 30 sec or so stop ...look at the powder dust stuck to container grey is good ...any red tint to red brown,,,trash the powder all i can say..
If you have reddish brown dust in your powder, I would trash it. Some years back I had a can that started to show the reddish brown powder, I bought a new can of the same powder. I reloaded 5 rounds with the old powder and 5 rounds from the new can. The new powder grouped significantly better, so out with the old.
Nowadays, I would put a spoonful into a kleenex, tie it off, and toss it into a campfire.
Nowadays, I would put a spoonful into a kleenex, tie it off, and toss it into a campfire.
Received two pounds of 4197 with a Remington 40XBR that blew every fifth primer.
Switched to IMR4198 and problem solved.
Wife's dahlias were the best ever . . .
On the lawn, mix with your regular fertilizer and broadcast with a spreader.
Switched to IMR4198 and problem solved.
Wife's dahlias were the best ever . . .
On the lawn, mix with your regular fertilizer and broadcast with a spreader.
OP - Smell the powder. A slight acetone smell means it is ok. Red dust might be rust from can.
If it has a strong ammonia-like smell - it is bad, very bad.
A PhD chemist working at IMR powder research once told me that it would take 20 years for powder to break down in the garden. Very, very slow release fertalizer.
If it has a strong ammonia-like smell - it is bad, very bad.
A PhD chemist working at IMR powder research once told me that it would take 20 years for powder to break down in the garden. Very, very slow release fertalizer.
