Safe disposal of black powder and pyrodex?

aarondhgraham · November 9, 2020, 03:16 PM

I was cleaning out some storage bins and came across two 1-pound jugs,,,
One of Pyrodex and the other black powder,,,
Both jugs are about 3/4 full.

What is a safe way to dispose of this/

Can I just spread it out on the ground and hose it down with water?

It has to be at least 10-12 years old,,,
It's been that long since I last shot my percussion revolvers.

Your help will be appreciated.

Aarond

.

Centurion · November 9, 2020, 03:39 PM

Why not to use it? Black powder (and Pyrodex, too) will last an eternity...and in case it is wet you can let it dry and use it.

aarondhgraham · November 9, 2020, 04:36 PM

Why not use it,,,
I sold all of my BP guns,,,
Except for one I'm converting to centerfire.

I swore off of all things black powder years ago,,,
I hated the mess and the clean-up process.

I just need to safely dispose of this stuff,,,
Any help will be appreciated.

Aarond

.

Centurion · November 9, 2020, 04:48 PM

Ok, then you can spread it on the ground and hose it down with water, and will act as a good fertilizer.

aarondhgraham · November 9, 2020, 05:43 PM

Thank you,,,

Aarond

.

Jim Watson · November 9, 2020, 05:46 PM

The potassium nitrate in the real black powder IS good fertilizer, unlike the usual recommendation for discarding smokeless.
I don't think the potassium chlorate in Pyrodex will do the garden any good. I'd sprinkle it in the gutter and dissolve it down the storm drain.

But it seems a shame to just throw it away; as said, black doesn't degrade.
Don't you have any muzzleloading or BPCR friends?

**4V50 Gary** · November 9, 2020, 06:29 PM

I'd give it away. Make someone happy.

Hellgate · November 9, 2020, 07:14 PM

Take it with you the next time you go to the range and offer it to a shooter firing a BP gun. They will be reminded that there really is a God.

44 Dave · November 9, 2020, 07:34 PM

Or you can pour it out it in a trail and light one end, like you have seen in old movies. I have used a trail of black powder to set off fireworks for the fun affects.

Pahoo · November 9, 2020, 08:06 PM

Quote:

I just need to safely dispose of this stuff,,,
Any help will be appreciated.

Well !!! ???
You can just spread it on the ground and it won't hurt a thing. After all. that's where it came from.. ...

I use it in my cannons.
Make fire crackers.
Trade it off at GunShows.

Quote:

Or you can pour it out it in a trail and light one end, like you have seen in old movies. I have used a trail of black powder to set off fireworks for the fun affect

Done this as well and pretty neat results. Lately I just give it away to some of my "BuckSkinner" friends as they are real BP-Fans .......

Be Safe !!!

bedbugbilly · November 10, 2020, 10:02 PM

Why destroy it? it's fine to use. I have used BP that I knew was at least 100 years olds it was my grandfathers - yea, I'm old nd he was born in 1867 so I know that when I took it form his home when we broke it up in the 60s the it was from the very early 1900s.

Anyway . . . if you dom't meed it . . there has to be someone in you afea who could use it.

If it was old smokeless - the would be a different story. I use that for fertilizer.

T. O'Heir · November 11, 2020, 02:37 PM

The potassium chlorate in Pyrodex might keep tree rats away. Apparently it's used in SEA to induce off-season flowering of longan trees. Dunno what a longan tree is.
Keep in mind that my first thought was a match. However, how and where it's been stored matters for that too.

FrankenMauser · November 11, 2020, 07:59 PM

Burn it.

**44 AMP** · November 12, 2020, 03:10 AM

I'd just ask at your local shop or range or club for someone who might want it, and give it to them (or trade). Someone who would pick it up in person, so there would be no hassles with shipping it.

There always someone nearby enough, who would enjoy a bit of the "holy black" or even Pyrodex as a gift or a fair trade.

Unlike smokeless powder, black powder is not a chemical compound, It is a chemical mixture, and does not degrade chemically over time. Even a century or more. (provided it is not physically scattered) Won't go off when wet, but can get wet and dry out with no harm done to it.

It is an explosive, and can be set off a number of ways you might not think would set it off, so its not as safe as Play-doh (or plastique

) but treated properly its not 'scary dangerous" if you know what you're doing.

With everything being in such demand today, it seems a shame to just waste it by spreading it on the lawn.

Which would be one safe way to dispose of it, if that's your choice...

Kevin Rohrer · November 14, 2020, 07:52 PM

Dispose of it thru the muzzle.

MSD Mike · November 18, 2020, 11:00 AM

Hmm, insert fuse light and run.
OR you could use it as an excuse to buy a 10 gauge muzzle loading side x side shotgun. Or a cannon. Or a cap and ball revolver. All I know is I can't wrap my head around any disposal method that doesn't make noise.

Mike

Old Stony · November 20, 2020, 08:25 AM

Never a problem to give away powder of most any kind....but especially black powders..

pwc · November 20, 2020, 01:19 PM

Shoot the anvil.

51cskipper · November 21, 2020, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Shoot the anvil

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lKjpgCraVGk

OcelotZ3 · November 22, 2020, 12:27 AM

Donate it.

Reloadron · November 22, 2020, 08:12 PM

Reminds me I have about 5 pounds of the stuff, can't recall if it is FF or FFF. Anyone in the NE Cleveland, Ohio area have a use for it let me know, come get it and it's yours. I have not actually looked at it in maybe 20 years.

Four of the five one pound cans were never opened.

The anvil launch was pretty cool.

Ron

Scorch · November 24, 2020, 07:59 PM

I got away from BO decades ago. BP wasn't especially hard to get back then, but my friends were still pretty happy to get a few pounds for free. I Imagine your friends would be, too!

Pahoo · November 25, 2020, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Anyone in the NE Cleveland, Ohio area have a use for it let me know, come get it and it's yours. I have not actually looked at it in maybe 20 years. Four of the five one pound cans were never opened.

I compliment you, on your thinking on this subject and that has been my solution, to it's disposal. Although no longer actively involved with "BuckSkiinny" I still have those contacts and trading buddies.
I no longer use BP or Pyrodex, whenever comes my way I either trade or give it away and believe me, it's always appreciated and never goes to waste. .....

I once bought a partial collection from a widow and in the mix, were four powder horns. Right off, I shake them and they were full of BP, I can always tell by the smell. ....

I informed her of the possible danger and told her, not to worry as I would dispose of it. I paid her for the horns and she threw in the BP.

She then mentioned that she had a keg of it, in her garage that she would gladly, give to me. Turned out to be a 15LB. black metal Dupont keg, full of FFG. The wife ad I were on our way, to the Mall and started to put the keg, in the trunk. Then "that" little bell, wet off in my head an took the keg, back in her garage. Made arrangements to to have a BuckSkinner buddy pick it up. "suggested" that he give the Lady, $25.00 donation. All went well and she was pleased and surprised by the $25.00 ......

Be Safe !!!

November 9, 2020, 03:16 PM	#1
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Safe disposal of black powder and pyrodex? I was cleaning out some storage bins and came across two 1-pound jugs,,, One of Pyrodex and the other black powder,,, Both jugs are about 3/4 full. What is a safe way to dispose of this/ Can I just spread it out on the ground and hose it down with water? It has to be at least 10-12 years old,,, It's been that long since I last shot my percussion revolvers. Your help will be appreciated. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

November 9, 2020, 04:36 PM	#3
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Why not use it,,, Why not use it,,, I sold all of my BP guns,,, Except for one I'm converting to centerfire. I swore off of all things black powder years ago,,, I hated the mess and the clean-up process. I just need to safely dispose of this stuff,,, Any help will be appreciated. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

November 9, 2020, 05:43 PM	#5
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Thank you,,, Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

November 9, 2020, 06:29 PM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	I'd give it away. Make someone happy. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 9, 2020, 07:14 PM	#8
Hellgate Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Location: Orygun Posts: 869	Take it with you the next time you go to the range and offer it to a shooter firing a BP gun. They will be reminded that there really is a God. __________________ With over 15 perCUSSIN' revolvers, I've been called the Imelda Marcos of cap & ball. SASS#3302 (Life), SASS Regulator, NRA (Life), Dirty Gamey Bastards #129 Wolverton Mtn. Peacekeepers (WA), former Orygun Cowboy (Ranger, Posse from Hell)

November 9, 2020, 03:39 PM	#2
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	Why not to use it? Black powder (and Pyrodex, too) will last an eternity...and in case it is wet you can let it dry and use it.

November 9, 2020, 04:48 PM	#4
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	Ok, then you can spread it on the ground and hose it down with water, and will act as a good fertilizer.

November 9, 2020, 05:46 PM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	The potassium nitrate in the real black powder IS good fertilizer, unlike the usual recommendation for discarding smokeless. I don't think the potassium chlorate in Pyrodex will do the garden any good. I'd sprinkle it in the gutter and dissolve it down the storm drain. But it seems a shame to just throw it away; as said, black doesn't degrade. Don't you have any muzzleloading or BPCR friends?

November 9, 2020, 07:34 PM	#9
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2013 Posts: 584	Or you can pour it out it in a trail and light one end, like you have seen in old movies. I have used a trail of black powder to set off fireworks for the fun affects.

November 10, 2020, 10:02 PM	#11
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Why destroy it? it's fine to use. I have used BP that I knew was at least 100 years olds it was my grandfathers - yea, I'm old nd he was born in 1867 so I know that when I took it form his home when we broke it up in the 60s the it was from the very early 1900s. Anyway . . . if you dom't meed it . . there has to be someone in you afea who could use it. If it was old smokeless - the would be a different story. I use that for fertilizer. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

November 11, 2020, 02:37 PM	#12
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The potassium chlorate in Pyrodex might keep tree rats away. Apparently it's used in SEA to induce off-season flowering of longan trees. Dunno what a longan tree is. Keep in mind that my first thought was a match. However, how and where it's been stored matters for that too. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

November 11, 2020, 07:59 PM	#13
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Burn it. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

November 12, 2020, 03:10 AM	#14
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,806	I'd just ask at your local shop or range or club for someone who might want it, and give it to them (or trade). Someone who would pick it up in person, so there would be no hassles with shipping it. There always someone nearby enough, who would enjoy a bit of the "holy black" or even Pyrodex as a gift or a fair trade. Unlike smokeless powder, black powder is not a chemical compound, It is a chemical mixture, and does not degrade chemically over time. Even a century or more. (provided it is not physically scattered) Won't go off when wet, but can get wet and dry out with no harm done to it. It is an explosive, and can be set off a number of ways you might not think would set it off, so its not as safe as Play-doh (or plastique) but treated properly its not 'scary dangerous" if you know what you're doing. With everything being in such demand today, it seems a shame to just waste it by spreading it on the lawn. Which would be one safe way to dispose of it, if that's your choice... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 14, 2020, 07:52 PM	#15
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	Dispose of it thru the muzzle. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

November 18, 2020, 11:00 AM	#16
MSD Mike Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2009 Posts: 212	Hmm, insert fuse light and run. OR you could use it as an excuse to buy a 10 gauge muzzle loading side x side shotgun. Or a cannon. Or a cap and ball revolver. All I know is I can't wrap my head around any disposal method that doesn't make noise. Mike

November 20, 2020, 08:25 AM	#17
Old Stony Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 1,705	Never a problem to give away powder of most any kind....but especially black powders..

November 20, 2020, 01:19 PM	#18
pwc Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2018 Location: AZ Posts: 236	Shoot the anvil.

November 22, 2020, 12:27 AM	#20
OcelotZ3 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Posts: 229	Donate it.

November 22, 2020, 08:12 PM	#21
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	Reminds me I have about 5 pounds of the stuff, can't recall if it is FF or FFF. Anyone in the NE Cleveland, Ohio area have a use for it let me know, come get it and it's yours. I have not actually looked at it in maybe 20 years. Four of the five one pound cans were never opened. The anvil launch was pretty cool. Ron

November 24, 2020, 07:59 PM	#22
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I got away from BO decades ago. BP wasn't especially hard to get back then, but my friends were still pretty happy to get a few pounds for free. I Imagine your friends would be, too! __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

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