lumpy Pyro and 777...shake it up?

[Throckmorton]

Haven't shot the Hawken for a while,and when I looked in the powder containers both of them had lumpy powder.
I try to keep the lids on tight,but there they were....LUMPS!!!
Can I just shake the containers and break up the lumps,or is a whole bunch of powder now uslelss?? :cursing:

Thanks.

 

[jtmattison]

You should be able to break it up. Unless it's clumped solid. Can you break it up by rubbing between your fingers?
You could always use it for fertilizer and buy some real black powder

HD

 

[paulvallandigham]

YOu will find that as 777 is exposed to moisture, it loses its power, and deteriorates over time. Pyrodex is better about that, and has a good shelf life. Use Black Powder and avoid all those problems.

 

[Old Charlie]

I have some t7 that I have had for three or four years. I can open a new container and it will be lumpy. I just shake it up and stir it with a spoon. I can tell no difference in power. It shoots just as well as it ever did.
However when it is used up, I will buy no more. I have cap locks and flint locks. Once the t7 is gone I will be using nothing but Goex 3f.
Old Charlie

 

[mike alexandre]

The clumps may be telling you that the powder is damp.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

keep the lid on tight even when you have just loaded your flask/horn.

 

[john12865]

Haven't shot the Hawken for a while,and when I looked in the powder containers both of them had lumpy powder.
I try to keep the lids on tight,but there they were....LUMPS!!!
Can I just shake the containers and break up the lumps,or is a whole bunch of powder now uslelss?? :cursing:

Thanks.

It's pretty much useless anyway. Dump it around the shrubs and get a few pounds of Goex. Once you go black you'll never go back. I promise. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[faw3]

Ive always had trouble with Pro here in hot DAMP East Texas, I wont touch the junk the trp 7 I even use in my flintlock takes a 15 grs Bp in first to get a first shot right. I dont know about it going bad but mine lumps up just sitting but shoots great and wont rust up the second I put it in like BP will down here , some guns I shoot just BP from but they rust up within 30 mins of shooting so clean fast (the 777 doesnt it takes all nite :rotf: Fred :hatsoff: (oh just dump the Pyro where ever it wont hurt something)

 

[Landngroove]

From what I have read, and also experienced, the subs have a shelf life, and are affected by humidity (clumping, loss of velocity, etc.). Real black powder has no shelf life. I read where some black powder was retrieved from the mid 1800's, and still ignited, and shot O.K. Accept no substitutes. :grin:

 

[Rat Trapper]

I've been shooting nothing but triple seven for the last five years. I have never had lumps in my powder?? Some how you got your powder damp. Pyrodex has a much shorter shelf life (3-4 months)after the container is opened. For me Triple Seven gives a little more vel and extremly good accuracy. No misfires, no hang fires, shoots clean, clean up is easy and best of all I can find it locally.
The new issue of the American Rifleman has an excellent report on all the powders out there for use in muzzle loaders. Report includes vel and pressure and more.