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**Mike Irwin** · December 1, 2011, 06:57 AM

"It wasn't until just now it dawned on me why a major powder manufacturer went from the easily stored rectangular metal cans to the pain in the arse cylindrical plastic containers (takes more room on the shelf). Less chance of "a bomb" if exposed to a fire."

Actually, it was more cost savings than anything.

Those old metal cans were designed so that if the powder ignited they would zipper open at the seams with very little resistance at all, releasing any pressure that had built up before it got to bomb levels.

December 1, 2011, 06:57 AM	#13
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	"It wasn't until just now it dawned on me why a major powder manufacturer went from the easily stored rectangular metal cans to the pain in the arse cylindrical plastic containers (takes more room on the shelf). Less chance of "a bomb" if exposed to a fire." Actually, it was more cost savings than anything. Those old metal cans were designed so that if the powder ignited they would zipper open at the seams with very little resistance at all, releasing any pressure that had built up before it got to bomb levels. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.