Author Topic: Bad Powder  (Read 418 times)

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Offline blacklab

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Bad Powder
« on: June 21, 2010, 04:11:35 PM »
Picked up some powder at an Estate Sale. IMR4831, BLC-2 & IMR4895. 1 # canisters. .50 cents a can. Good deal right? ;D Opened them up and poured some out, very rusted color and rust dust. :'( No smell but bad color. Oh well, only out four bucks. Now I read where some guys pour them in the garden. Why? What does gun powder do in the garden? Anyway I am planning on keeping the cans. Blew out the rest of the dust with air comp. Will they still store powder ok?

Offline Siskiyou

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Re: Bad Powder
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2010, 04:48:02 PM »
I had some old BL-C(2) given to me this past year in pink one pound cans.  Had a little rust on outside of the cans, the seal was still good.  The rust had not migrated to the interior; so far loaded it in the 30-06, 308 and 303 British with good results.  The key was no change of powder color or dusting. Just have to check it out. 
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Offline Tom W.

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Re: Bad Powder
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2010, 04:53:26 PM »
Makes good fertilizer, as the story goes... However, it's not a good practice to put powder from one can into another....
Tom
Alabama Hunter and firearms safety instructor

I really like my handguns!

Offline necchi

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Re: Bad Powder
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2010, 07:40:10 PM »
Now I read where some guys pour them in the garden. Why? What does gun powder do in the garden?

lot's of nitrogen it makes things "green up" really fast. best to sprinkle evenly than to pour in a clump.  ;)
found elsewhere

Offline moosie

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Re: Bad Powder
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2010, 05:31:27 AM »
The red color and rust colored dust is a clear sign that the powder has gone bad.  Sprinkle it in the garden or flower beds.
To fire an accurate shot means to not just hit the target, but to know where the target was hit before the bullet got there.