Bad Powder

garryc · August 29, 2009, 08:26 AM

I have several cans of IMR 4320 that are pretty old. When I pour them into the powder charger there is a cloud of red dust. The powder does not smell acrid like it went bad. What could it be, rust from the can? Will it hurt to use it? All 4 cans are the same lot and never where opened.

PBKing · August 29, 2009, 08:28 AM

Red dust is not a good sign.
Even if the can rusted on the inside....that still would indicate less than desirable storage conditions.

I am thinking Fertilizer IMHO

wpsdlrg · August 29, 2009, 09:08 AM

Either the powder is bad, or the red cloud you mention is rust, from the cans. Either way, the powder is contaminated. It might not be unsafe to use, but it will no longer be within specs - so any handloading data you have will not really be applicable. Best to dump it.....and not take any chances.

**Unclenick** · August 29, 2009, 10:14 AM

Yep. If you have a compost pile in the garden, just sprinkle it in. It will heat the compost up. Otherwise, turn it into the garden dirt or sprinkle it around the lawn.

dardascastbullets · August 29, 2009, 08:00 PM

Hi Garry,

Remove your cans from your reloading room and sprinkle the powder onto your lawn tomorrow like the other poster suggested.

**Mike Irwin** · August 29, 2009, 08:15 PM

The rust you see in a powder can is, as far as I've seen, never a dust. It's flaky chunks.

Fine dust is without doubt powder decay.

Don't breathe the dust, it's toxic.

bluetopper · August 30, 2009, 12:19 AM

Load a few and shoot em. They will either fire or they won't.

sob (sweet ole bill) · August 30, 2009, 04:22 AM

as an old fart handloader of 37 years. Have found that powder will stay stable by placing a few "dryer" packets in each opened can.

To get these silica gel packs, (a) save them from your pill bottles or (b) stop at a pharmacy and ask them to save some for you. Even if you have to pay for them its cheaper than new powder.

Have powder that has been opened for 20 years and recently have loaded with it. Flawless performance, now if I could just see the targets better......

SOB........ Pitchforks ready for anything

August 29, 2009, 08:26 AM	#1
garryc Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2005 Posts: 2,536	Bad Powder I have several cans of IMR 4320 that are pretty old. When I pour them into the powder charger there is a cloud of red dust. The powder does not smell acrid like it went bad. What could it be, rust from the can? Will it hurt to use it? All 4 cans are the same lot and never where opened.

August 29, 2009, 10:14 AM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	Yep. If you have a compost pile in the garden, just sprinkle it in. It will heat the compost up. Otherwise, turn it into the garden dirt or sprinkle it around the lawn. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

August 29, 2009, 08:00 PM	#5
dardascastbullets Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Essexville, MI Posts: 164	Hi Garry, Remove your cans from your reloading room and sprinkle the powder onto your lawn tomorrow like the other poster suggested. __________________ Matt Dardas

August 29, 2009, 08:15 PM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,383	The rust you see in a powder can is, as far as I've seen, never a dust. It's flaky chunks. Fine dust is without doubt powder decay. Don't breathe the dust, it's toxic. __________________ "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.

August 30, 2009, 04:22 AM	#8
sob (sweet ole bill) Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: coastal North Carolina Posts: 65	bad powder as an old fart handloader of 37 years. Have found that powder will stay stable by placing a few "dryer" packets in each opened can. To get these silica gel packs, (a) save them from your pill bottles or (b) stop at a pharmacy and ask them to save some for you. Even if you have to pay for them its cheaper than new powder. Have powder that has been opened for 20 years and recently have loaded with it. Flawless performance, now if I could just see the targets better...... SOB........ Pitchforks ready for anything

August 29, 2009, 08:28 AM	#2
PBKing Member Join Date: April 21, 2009 Location: Water Winter Wonderland Posts: 49	Red dust is not a good sign. Even if the can rusted on the inside....that still would indicate less than desirable storage conditions. I am thinking Fertilizer IMHO

August 29, 2009, 09:08 AM	#3
wpsdlrg Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2009 Posts: 826	Either the powder is bad, or the red cloud you mention is rust, from the cans. Either way, the powder is contaminated. It might not be unsafe to use, but it will no longer be within specs - so any handloading data you have will not really be applicable. Best to dump it.....and not take any chances.

August 30, 2009, 12:19 AM	#7
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	Load a few and shoot em. They will either fire or they won't.