What was the actual explosive used in Boston?

[coyotejoe]

Does anyone know for sure what was used by the bombers? I ask because I've heard speculation that it was "gun powder", whether smokeless or black. That's worrisome because I'm actually a little surprised that there hasn't already been a crack down on reloading components with the claim that availability of gun powder represents a threat to public safety. I think mainly the gun ban crowd really doesn't know about reloading, like that one idiot who didn't even know that magazines once shot dry could be refilled. I hope this won't bring reloading to their attention.

[Shu]

Not sure what was used. I know the media will jump on anything gun related these days.
 
It is to simple to build a bomb, you don't need gun powder or actual military grade explosives.
A lot of household chemicals can be used. Unfortunately there is alot of web sites that have detailed instructions.
 
I will add that bomb making is dangerous, many blow themselves up in the process.

[Sourdough]

I saw a clip on TV about how they suspected the bombers made the bomb.  They showed metal objects being placed in the pressure cooker.  Then a can of smokeless gun powder being poured into the middle of the cooker.  Then they cut away and talked about how a trigger device could be added.  They did show a metal 1# can of powder being used. 

That's something I've often wondered about.  Many people in this country think ammo has to be made by factories, they are totally unaware that you can reload.  Once the news people get ahold of that, they can have a field day.  Then we will have a problem.  I can see a back ground check to buy primers and powder.

[spruce]

Yeah, a background check and limits on purchasing powder, but no background check for muslims wanting to come here for free schooling and benefits (and maybe create a little mayhem while they're here).

[coyotejoe]

Several states are already talking about background checks for ammunition, limiting quanaties of ammunition etc. If any of that goes anywhere I'm sure reloading components won't be far behind. In fact reloading may be in the most danger, it could be pretty well argued that it is not protected by the second ammendment at all.  I'd like to know exactly what was used as the explosive but it may turn out like so many other happenings of this "most transparent administration" that the truth may never be told.

[buck460XVR]

Early on many were claiming it was black powder because of the smoke. A day or so after the attack there was an expert that claimed that white residue on the sidewalk radiating from the blast origin was from the incomplete ignition of a  military grade explosive. He claimed that altho the bomb-maker had  gotten ahold of a potent explosive, they must not have had access to the correct accelerant /ignitor or lacked the knowledge that it was needed. The incomplete burn of the explosive not only greatly reduced the amount of damage done, but produced the clouds of smoke similar to black powder. I have yet to hear anything else.

[BBF]

Even the Diesel soaked fertilizer charges used in Open Pit Mines need a two stage substantive priming.

[Spirithawk]

I've heard it suspected, because of the smoke, that it was black powder. However untill, and unless, they anounce what was used one guess is as vallid as another. I wouldn't put it past Obama to use it against gun owners but time will tell as it always does.

[Dee]

Even the Diesel soaked fertilizer charges used in Open Pit Mines need a two stage substantive priming.

Ammonia nitrate fertilizer, and diesel, are a low explosive. It needs a lot of quick heat to ignite. A high explosive is usually what is used, such as a hot detonator, and perhaps a quarter stick of dynamite, or something similar.

[Dee]

I suppose speculation is fun, but the ATF and FBI have not said what was used. Anything said is strictly speculation on the part of the media, or anyone else for that matter.

[FPH]

Even the Diesel soaked fertilizer charges used in Open Pit Mines need a two stage substantive priming.

Ammonia nitrate fertilizer, and diesel, are a low explosive. It needs a lot of quick heat to ignite. A high explosive is usually what is used, such as a hot detonator, and perhaps a quarter stick of dynamite, or something similar.

We used a 1/4 stick of dynamite to ignite AN in an open quarry.  AN, diesel fuel and spark plug = bang.

[Victor3]

It is to simple to build a bomb, you don't need gun powder or actual military grade explosives.
A lot of household chemicals can be used. Unfortunately there is alot of web sites that have detailed instructions.

 Reminds me of a line from the movie Blown Away. "He can make bombs out of Bisquick."


 You can't stop someone who's determined to make a bomb from doing so anymore than you're gonna stop him from growing tomatoes. If gunpowder or fertilizer (or whatever) is heavily restricted, they'll find a way to extract the chemicals they need from dog poop.

[boarhuntr]

Not sure what was used. I know the media will jump on anything gun related these days.
 
It is to simple to build a bomb, you don't need gun powder or actual military grade explosives.
A lot of household chemicals can be used. Unfortunately there is alot of web sites that have detailed instructions.
 
I will add that bomb making is dangerous, many blow themselves up in the process.

You can use fertilizer to make a bomb. Farmers use a mixture of diesel fuel and ammonium nitrate to blow up tree stumps. It is basic chemistry. Mix a chemical that has strong oxidative powers with a reduction chemical and poof you get an instant exothermic reaction.
When I took chemistry lab the manual said to have an ice bath ready when you mix two chemicals together (forgot what). Normally I pooh-pooh these warnings, being a non-conformist that I am. But man, when those two chemicals got mixed in the beaker, the heat generated was astounding, and within seconds I could tell it would blow up in my face. Luckily my lab partner had an ice/water bath nearby and I plunged the beaker into the mixture and cooled the reaction down. Had the ice water bath not been close by I figure today I would need plastic surgery or I might be a resurrected person.

[Spirithawk]

You guys keep talking about how to make and detonate bombs the ATF will be knocking on your doors! lol

[Shu]

Ammonium Nitrate and diesel fuel is used in alot of industrial applications. It is low grade, has a long shock wave which is great for mining. It can be used as Tim Mcvey used it but it is not the best to use. I worked many years manufacturing explosives. I have worked with the latest and greatest high tech stuff and the common stuff you can make any where. The best advice I can give you is don't mess with it. Being burned beyond recognition and living through it is not worth it. Home brewed stuff is very dangerous to make. It simply is not worth the risk.
 
I have demilled alot of military stuff also. It just is not worth setting up to do these things at home or in a garage. I enjoy life way to much.
 
Not worried about the BATFE or FBI looking for me, they know where I live etc. I have been on file with them for many years.

[coyotejoe]

ANFO, the fertilizer/fuel oil mixture is not a primary explosive, it is classed as a "blasting agent" because it cannot be detonated with a blasting cap alone but requires a "kicker" like half a stick of dynamite and it is not useful in small devices like pipe bombs. I came across a site called "improvised munitions" which describes how to make an explosive from hydrogen peroxide and acetone which is said to be very popular with Al Qaeda. It doesn't require a blasting cap, which is a big plus because caps are controlled as closely as commercial explosives. It can be detonated with a fuse or by friction or by shock and is therefore very dangerous stuff to make or transport, lots of would be bombers have blown themselves up with it. Blackpowder or Bullseye smokeless is easy to get, safe to handle and easy to ignite but they are only low velocity propellants, not very good for fragmentation grenades or pipe bombs.

[garbhead]

The energy released from an exploding pressure cooker by itself would have probably killed 2 or 3 people close to it.

[coyotejoe]

I just came across this FOX news story talking about "military grade explosives", whatever that means, used by the bombers. But this is just another news story and we know how reliable the media reports can be.
 
http://video.foxnews.com/v/2311338782001/military-grade-explosives-litter-streets-boston-suburb?intcmp=related?playlist_id=921261890001http://video.foxnews.com/v/2311338782001/military-grade-explosives-litter-streets-boston-suburb?intcmp=related?playlist_id=921261890001

[Sourdough]

I learned in high school chemistry how to make Nitro Glyserine, easy.  I've also helped make Black Powder, crushing the cakes to turn them into powder did make me nervous.  But we did it right, we are all still here. 

The government can take away the manufactored smokless powder, but we can still get Black Powder by making it our selves.  Got all the componetes right here near the house.

[Shu]

Military grade explosives generally are compared to TNT equivalency. The main bursting charge in the old 500 lb bomb would be filled with 250 lbs of comp b explosive which had a TNT equivalency of 1. When you get to things like C-4 explosive it has a TNT equivalency of 1.4.

Sourdough,
Yep nitroglycerene is very easy to make. Once its stabilizers are depleted it grows crystals which makes it very dangerous to be around.
Black powder is very easy to make also. What normally happens is people are careful with static electricty or try to make it bigger and better. If you follow the safety rules you can do it easily. If you have a disregard for those rules it is very easy to leave a charred corpse.

[Anna]

Even in its early days BP was no match for Greek Fire with its effects on infantry .
Solomon had BP but so did the Eastern Empire Byzantine at the time of his arrival .
It was Greek Fire that pushed him back not the use of BP .
And it is NOT napalm , not from the accounts on how it acted nor any phosphorous compound .
We have only recently rediscovered how to make concrete we still do not know how to make this
stuff for real . Dirt would not even put it out it would generate its own oxygen turning about anything
into a combustible including fluids . This was some very nasty stuff its a good thing Islam never got
Its hands on it . Although they sure tried . 

[BBF]

This Greek Fire puzzle is strange. We ( historians etc) know what chemicals were available in those days and it baffles me that using them they would not come up with the right ingredients.

[magooch]

If reporting is correct, it might have been explosives from fireworks purchased by--I think they said the older brother.


With all that goes on these days, it's amazing that fireworks haven't been banned completely.  In a way, it wouldn't bother me if it all went away, but that would just be one more tread in the step-by-step process of turning us into a nannydom.

[powderman]

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/boston-bombs-built-fireworks/story?id=19028841
 
Boston Bombs Likely Built From Fireworks     Gunpowder in Boston Bombs Likely from Fireworks Auto Start: On | Off             By BRIAN ROSS (@brianross) and RHONDA SCHWARTZ  April 24, 2013 
  A New Hampshire fireworks store has told the FBI that it sold four-hundred dollars worth of fireworks in February to accused Boston bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
The gunpowder in fireworks is often used in bombs.
"He just wanted the biggest, loudest stuff we had in the store," said Megan Kearns, the assistant manager of Phantom Fireworks, in an interview with ABC News affiliate WMUR.
Kearns said Tsarnaev -- the older of the two brothers now accused in the blast -- bought two large reloadable mortar kits during a two for one sale. She said she remembered Tamerlan because of his Russia accent. The store has since confirmed his purchase with store records.
 
RELATED: Mother Denies Son Was Radicalized by Friend
"Pretty much the only thing that was remarkable about him was that he had a Russian accent, which we don't get too many people in here who have Russian accents," she said.
The amount of gunpowder that could be harvested from the kits—less than half a pound—would not have been enough to detonate the Boston bombs, Phantom Fireworks VP William Weimer said.
      Bob Leonard/AP Photo This April 15, 2013 photo provided by Bob... View Full Size    Bob Leonard/AP Photo This April 15, 2013 photo provided by Bob Leonard shows third from left, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who was dubbed Suspect No. 1 and second from left, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, who was dubbed Suspect No. 2 in the Boston Marathon bombings by law enforcement. This image was taken approximately 10-20 minutes before the blast.       Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Responding to Questions in Writing, Sources Say Watch Video        Boston Bombing Suspect Reportedly Reveals Plot Details Watch Video        Boston Bombing Suspect Charged With Using Weapons of Mass Destruction Watch Video    Fireworks have often been used by terrorists to power their bombs, including by the man who tried but failed to detonate a car bomb in Times Square. He bought fireworks from a different Phantom Fireworks store, in Pennsylvania.
"Fireworks will give you what you need in terms of blast," said Kevin Barry, Retired Detective First Grade, NYPD Bomb Squad.
 
RELATED: U.S. Investigators Interview Alleged Bombers' Parents in Dagestan
Barry told ABC News that while the ingredients are easily purchased – the actual assembly instructions are still hard to find and follow.
"What it seems they did was purchased commercially manufactured mortars, ripped them down and ripped out the powder," he said. "When you confine this powder in a pressure cooker it is very powerful."
 
The charging document filed in the case against 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev also notes that FBI agents found "a large pyrotechnic" in his college dorm room.
Federal agents have analyzed the two pressure cooker bombs used in the Boston Marathon attack and confirmed early speculation that the other components were also built largely, if not entirely of commercially available items, including parts of a remote control toy car, BBs and small nails.
RELATED: Mother of Accused Bombers Faces Her Own Legal Woes
The analysis was circulated to law enforcement agencies Tuesday evening in a federal law enforcement joint intelligence bulletin.
The report notes that a similar device was found in the thwarted 2010 attempt to set off explosives in Times Square.
"Terrorists can exploit the innocuous appearance and transportability of pressure cookers to conceal IED components," the bulletin says.
        More From ABC News

[coyotejoe]

Typical of our inept news media they don't seem even to notice that this story contradicts itself. The writer first says this.
"Boston Bombs Likely Built From Fireworks     Gunpowder in Boston Bombs Likely from Fireworks"
Then follows up with this quote from someone who should know what he is talking about.
"The amount of gunpowder that could be harvested from the kits—less than half a pound—would not have been enough to detonate the Boston bombs, Phantom Fireworks VP William Weimer said".
Besides the three bombs which detonated and two which were recovered unexploded the brothers seem to have had quite a few devices  which they threw during the car chase. They would have needed a lot of black powder.

[reliquary]

Has there been any information released about what kind of guns they had?  I haven't found anything...

[SHOOTALL]

On the news this am there was a reporter saying they had bought 2 of the largest fireworks packages the store had. They were insistent on having the biggest according to the store clerk. Now I don't have a clue if that is true or not or if it is possible to build a bomb out of such. Maybe someone here can shed some light on it.

[coyotejoe]

On the news this am there was a reporter saying they had bought 2 of the largest fireworks packages the store had. They were insistent on having the biggest according to the store clerk. Now I don't have a clue if that is true or not or if it is possible to build a bomb out of such. Maybe someone here can shed some light on it.

"The amount of gunpowder that could be harvested from the kits—less than half a pound—would not have been enough to detonate the Boston bombs, Phantom Fireworks VP William Weimer said".
Besides the three bombs which detonated and two which were recovered unexploded the brothers seem to have had quite a few devices  which they threw during the car chase. They would have needed a lot of black powder.

[PowPow]

Has there been any information released about what kind of guns they had?  I haven't found anything...

Heard on network news; a pistol and a pellet gun.

[SHOOTALL]

On the news this am there was a reporter saying they had bought 2 of the largest fireworks packages the store had. They were insistent on having the biggest according to the store clerk. Now I don't have a clue if that is true or not or if it is possible to build a bomb out of such. Maybe someone here can shed some light on it.

"The amount of gunpowder that could be harvested from the kits—less than half a pound—would not have been enough to detonate the Boston bombs, Phantom Fireworks VP William Weimer said".
Besides the three bombs which detonated and two which were recovered unexploded the brothers seem to have had quite a few devices  which they threw during the car chase. They would have needed a lot of black powder.

Of course that was one store , but it sounded fishy anyway.