Can anybody identify this powder?

deadin · May 3, 2007, 08:36 PM

I picked up 100 rounds of reloaded 44/40. When I pulled them down I found a 200 gr LRN and ~22.5 grs. of this powder. It appears to be a BP substitute that I'm not familiar with. It's sort of brownish and produced lots of smoke when burned and leaves a somewhat reddish ash.
Any ideas?

T. O'Heir · May 3, 2007, 08:53 PM

You can't tell anything about any powder just by looking at it. If you don't know what it is, dispose of it safely. Like out in the open with a match or spread it on your lawn.

Varmint Eviscerator · May 3, 2007, 09:03 PM

If it was done at a factory then the reloaded stuff should work just fine! Shoot a round and give us an update :

-VE

deadin · May 3, 2007, 09:05 PM

I have no intention of trying to use the stuff. I'm just curious as to what it might be. It's almost as coarse as cannon powder.

Grizz Adams · May 3, 2007, 09:41 PM

Just a guess, but it might be Black Canyon?

I think that was the name. It was an early version of Cleanshot, which is now called American Pioneer Powder. The Black Canyon was really poor stuff and kinda chunky.:barf:

deadin · May 3, 2007, 10:45 PM

Grizz,
I think you may be on the right track. Since I posted my question I have been doing some further research. These are definitely reloads and there was a tag on the box that said 200 gr. (the slug) and 33gr C/S. I could guess that the "C/S" might stand for Clean Shot. The "33 gr." threw me until I realized that it might refer to a volume load rather than an actual weight. I know that most of the BP substitutes are less dense than actual BP, so the 22.5 gr I found in the case could be a 33gr BP equivalent.
I agree with an earlier poster and I will just pull them down and burn the powder. (I don't want to sprinkle it on the lawn cause I don't know what it's made of. Smokless powder is fine on the lawn becase it's nitrate based. Who knows what asorbic acid based compound might do.

)

James K · May 4, 2007, 02:31 PM

FWIW, I never use any reloads other than my own. That way, if something goes wrong, I know the name of the SOB who goofed and I can lay a 2x4 upside his head.

Jim

May 3, 2007, 08:36 PM	#1
deadin Junior member Join Date: September 6, 2005 Location: Ocean Shores, WA Posts: 1,052	Can anybody identify this powder? I picked up 100 rounds of reloaded 44/40. When I pulled them down I found a 200 gr LRN and ~22.5 grs. of this powder. It appears to be a BP substitute that I'm not familiar with. It's sort of brownish and produced lots of smoke when burned and leaves a somewhat reddish ash. Any ideas?

May 3, 2007, 09:03 PM	#3
Varmint Eviscerator Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2005 Location: about an hour north of the big apple Posts: 549	If it was done at a factory then the reloaded stuff should work just fine! Shoot a round and give us an update : -VE __________________ Ahh, a good old bolt action,a bolt is a remedy for time, afternoons with our fathers and their fathers, for the mighty olympic shooters, for the wanna be's,for the time of youth in the woods, for the young.......the old, it is timeless, classic, sleek-a piece of art forever to remain in our memories, our hearts, our future.

May 3, 2007, 09:41 PM	#5
Grizz Adams Junior Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 10	Just a guess, but it might be Black Canyon? I think that was the name. It was an early version of Cleanshot, which is now called American Pioneer Powder. The Black Canyon was really poor stuff and kinda chunky.:barf: __________________ Whiskey for my men, and beer for the horses!

May 3, 2007, 08:53 PM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	You can't tell anything about any powder just by looking at it. If you don't know what it is, dispose of it safely. Like out in the open with a match or spread it on your lawn.

May 3, 2007, 09:05 PM	#4
deadin Junior member Join Date: September 6, 2005 Location: Ocean Shores, WA Posts: 1,052	I have no intention of trying to use the stuff. I'm just curious as to what it might be. It's almost as coarse as cannon powder.

May 3, 2007, 10:45 PM	#6
deadin Junior member Join Date: September 6, 2005 Location: Ocean Shores, WA Posts: 1,052	Grizz, I think you may be on the right track. Since I posted my question I have been doing some further research. These are definitely reloads and there was a tag on the box that said 200 gr. (the slug) and 33gr C/S. I could guess that the "C/S" might stand for Clean Shot. The "33 gr." threw me until I realized that it might refer to a volume load rather than an actual weight. I know that most of the BP substitutes are less dense than actual BP, so the 22.5 gr I found in the case could be a 33gr BP equivalent. I agree with an earlier poster and I will just pull them down and burn the powder. (I don't want to sprinkle it on the lawn cause I don't know what it's made of. Smokless powder is fine on the lawn becase it's nitrate based. Who knows what asorbic acid based compound might do. )

May 4, 2007, 02:31 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	FWIW, I never use any reloads other than my own. That way, if something goes wrong, I know the name of the SOB who goofed and I can lay a 2x4 upside his head. Jim