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Old April 19, 2013, 09:00 AM   #1
balderclev
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Accidentally mixed powders

I had some BLC-2 powder in my Hornady powder meter, about 2 inches in the tube. I was pulling some mixed loads some of which had Varget. Accidentally ended up with about 90 grains of Varget in the tube of BLC-2.

I have emptied the tube into a separate can and marked it as being mixed. I'm afraid to use it even though it only has a little Varget in it by volume.

Any suggestions besides just discarding the mix?
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Old April 19, 2013, 09:12 AM   #2
g.willikers
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If that were the last bit of powder on planet earth, you could probably work out safe loads for it.
Otherwise, just fertilize the garden with it.
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Old April 19, 2013, 09:13 AM   #3
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It’s fertilizer now.
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Old April 19, 2013, 09:33 AM   #4
Jimro
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BLC-2 is a ball powder. Varget is a stick powder.

You could seperate it. Easiest with an appropriate sieve. If you don't have a seive, or don't want to expend the time and energy, throw it out.

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Old April 19, 2013, 12:26 PM   #5
BigJimP
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Chalk it up to "experience" and dispose of it in the garden....

Messing around with powder that was mixed....is not a great idea ! You really have no idea how the 2 will interact when they ignite under pressure.

The other aspect is the cost...powder makes up $ 0.01 to $ 0.02 cents per cartridge...( bullets is where the money is )....so even if you have to scrap 500 grains of powder ( call it 125 rounds ..@ even $ 0.03 each = you're talking about $ 3.75 ).....so no matter what, its under $5 ....and that should make it an easy decision to dispose of it.
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Old April 19, 2013, 02:34 PM   #6
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Safety first Mr "Lefty the one -eyed"
It really IS good for the roses though!
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Old April 19, 2013, 03:17 PM   #7
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What is it with wasting powder? Don't any of you like fireworks????
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Old April 19, 2013, 03:36 PM   #8
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Let it go, man. Let it go.
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Old April 19, 2013, 03:49 PM   #9
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I agree with boondocker385, light it up!
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Old April 19, 2013, 05:49 PM   #10
m&p45acp10+1
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I would pour it into a metal pan, and light it with a long fire place match a safe distance from anything that would catch on fire. Though I am a bit of a pyro at times.

Just whatever you do. Dispose of the powder. It is not worth it to keep it, or experiment with.
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Old April 19, 2013, 06:10 PM   #11
hdbiker
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mixed powders

I got Unique and Bullseye mixed up once years ago.Ended up burning it on an old stump.The lesson for me was never have more than one powder on the bench at the same time.Hasen't happened since.hdbiker
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Old April 19, 2013, 06:23 PM   #12
balderclev
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Everyone just confirmed my plans to discard it. Thanks
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Old April 19, 2013, 06:29 PM   #13
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Mixed powder - Ants revenge

My kids, who at age of 18 & 19 should have known better (but follow in their Dad's footsteps), took a bunch of my near-empty cans and poured into one container. They also got some old Pyrodex and 4F, not understanding what it was. Then, in their ultimate wisdom, poured the contents into a hole in a Red Ant hill, and lit it using homemade fuse. They were expecting a hard burn, but got a surprise when it blew !!! Out came thousands of ANTS that were a bit ******. They had a bad time with it getting all the red ants out of clothes and hair. Of course they didn't tell me about the results until 3 years later over a beer or three.

Wish I had been there to watch.
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Old April 19, 2013, 09:39 PM   #14
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Some of you guys are young at heart. Keep it up!
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Old April 19, 2013, 11:22 PM   #15
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Time for my obligatory bi-annual reminder:

It is illegal to dispose of smokeless powders in any way that can contaminate a body of water (that includes runoff of "fertilizer"). In fact, it is illegal to dispose of it in any way other than a controlled burn.

Burn it!
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Old April 19, 2013, 11:42 PM   #16
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OK, no runoff.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankenMauser

Time for my obligatory bi-annual reminder:

It is illegal to dispose of smokeless powders in any way that can contaminate a body of water (that includes runoff of "fertilizer"). In fact, it is illegal to dispose of it in any way other than a controlled burn.
So, potted plants?

I would not eat any so-fertilized plants (not smokeless, anyway, but black powder is pretty organic, I think). Nor would I be inclined to use it as a fire started for a barbeque. But it does make a nice demonstration for the neighborhood kids (though it might upset some parents).

Frankenmauser, I am not disbelieving your advice, but a citation would be nice.

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Old April 19, 2013, 11:47 PM   #17
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Depending upon where you live it may be illegal to burn it.... think central valley of California during winter when they ban fires.
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Old April 19, 2013, 11:55 PM   #18
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I dispose of powder with my canon.

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