What would cause powder to clump?

ballardw · January 27, 2009, 02:43 AM

I'm pulling down someone else's reloads to use the cases and bullets and I found that the powder didn't want to pour out. The cases are supposedly Win 748, which I don't have any experience with, and is a ball or semi-spherical powder. I've had to stick a probe into the case to break up the clumps so that it will pour.

I have powder that's over 50 years old that pours just fine, so I'm wondering what this guy did!

HiBC · January 27, 2009, 02:54 AM

First,the way I look at powder,if it did not come out of a sealed original can,it is lawn fertilizer.

Not that I know first hand,but my understanding is the troubles a .458 had were around the factory load being a compressed load with Win ball powder mixed with a little heat.It cookies up,and then doesn't burn right.

If I was loading a Win ball powder,I would not compress it.

**Unclenick** · January 27, 2009, 03:16 AM

Agree. I don't even know how much heat you need? If you compress it, it will relax into its new space and be stuck.

FrankenMauser · January 27, 2009, 04:59 AM

The only times I've had powder clump.... It had come in contact with oil.

I loaded a few of the cases some 'clumpy' powder came out from, late last year. (I tossed the powder) There was still enough oil residue in the cases to foul the new powder and cause squibs. Lucky for me, they were the "good" squibs that make it out the end of the barrel.

Definitely tumble that brass, and / or use some kind of solvent that won't leave a residue. There could be other causes of the clumping; but for me, it has always been oil.

Shoney · January 27, 2009, 05:06 AM

Wasn't this explained in the movie "The Clumps" staring Eddie Murphy?

Jim Watson · January 27, 2009, 09:02 AM

I had some 748 clump in the can over a spell when I was not loading rifle ammo. I freaked out and sent it back to Winchester, they sent me a couple of coupons (which I had a devil of a time finding a dealer to accept.) Next time I just broke up the clumps and loaded it. No problemo. I think it was humidity changes, there was sure no oil in the can or exposure to heat.

I would not apply the same logic to pull down ammunition. You don't know what that stuff is.

ballardw · January 27, 2009, 11:54 PM

Thanks guys!

It looks like the load was mildly compressed so the compress/heat option sounds likely. There wasn't any detectable oil or other residue on the couple I examined closely.

Lawn fertilizer it is. I'd already planned on that as I know what the labels on the box said but I'm not going to trust that.

January 27, 2009, 02:43 AM	#1
ballardw Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 1,411	What would cause powder to clump? I'm pulling down someone else's reloads to use the cases and bullets and I found that the powder didn't want to pour out. The cases are supposedly Win 748, which I don't have any experience with, and is a ball or semi-spherical powder. I've had to stick a probe into the case to break up the clumps so that it will pour. I have powder that's over 50 years old that pours just fine, so I'm wondering what this guy did!

January 27, 2009, 03:16 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Agree. I don't even know how much heat you need? If you compress it, it will relax into its new space and be stuck. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 27, 2009, 05:06 AM	#5
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	Wasn't this explained in the movie "The Clumps" staring Eddie Murphy? __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

January 27, 2009, 02:54 AM	#2
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	First,the way I look at powder,if it did not come out of a sealed original can,it is lawn fertilizer. Not that I know first hand,but my understanding is the troubles a .458 had were around the factory load being a compressed load with Win ball powder mixed with a little heat.It cookies up,and then doesn't burn right. If I was loading a Win ball powder,I would not compress it.

January 27, 2009, 04:59 AM	#4
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	The only times I've had powder clump.... It had come in contact with oil. I loaded a few of the cases some 'clumpy' powder came out from, late last year. (I tossed the powder) There was still enough oil residue in the cases to foul the new powder and cause squibs. Lucky for me, they were the "good" squibs that make it out the end of the barrel. Definitely tumble that brass, and / or use some kind of solvent that won't leave a residue. There could be other causes of the clumping; but for me, it has always been oil.

January 27, 2009, 09:02 AM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I had some 748 clump in the can over a spell when I was not loading rifle ammo. I freaked out and sent it back to Winchester, they sent me a couple of coupons (which I had a devil of a time finding a dealer to accept.) Next time I just broke up the clumps and loaded it. No problemo. I think it was humidity changes, there was sure no oil in the can or exposure to heat. I would not apply the same logic to pull down ammunition. You don't know what that stuff is.

January 27, 2009, 11:54 PM	#7
ballardw Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 1,411	Thanks guys! It looks like the load was mildly compressed so the compress/heat option sounds likely. There wasn't any detectable oil or other residue on the couple I examined closely. Lawn fertilizer it is. I'd already planned on that as I know what the labels on the box said but I'm not going to trust that.