powder

[crs1945]

Hey fellows it has been awhile, been busy with domestic things!! I have a question in regards to the disposal of OLD powder ( both black and smokeless ). Just what is the safest way to get rid of old powder, besides shooting it. I mean the stuff which may be really old or of unknown origin. Thanks.

Muzzie :redthumb:

 

[roundball]

One time honored practice is to take it to a safe, area of SMOOTH, BARE ground, or concrete, etc...pour it out in long thin lines, or very SMALL piles with a 'fuse line' of powder leading to the small piles, and burn it off...the main things to remember is not to confine it, and not have large quantities that can ignite all at once

 

[Dave Poss]

I'm convinced that ther is no way to absolutely empty a can of powder! Seems that no matter how you try to dump it out, some always remains in the can. Before I throw the can in the garbage, I pour alittle 30wt. motor oil in the can and swoosh it around to saturate the last few grs. remaining. Hopefully, this kills it and won't lead to any surprizes for the guys at the landfill. :: The motor oil won't dry out like water would.......I hope!

 

[RussB]

Old powder does make a good fertilizer. Just don't light it when you put it on mama's flowers.

I agree on the old can....I always just put a little water, oil, whatever in it, and close it back up, before I put it somewhere.....then I always worry about the stupid thing.
:nono:
That so called "empty" can bothers me a lot more than what to do with it's contents.
Russ

 

[elmonk]

With BP I simly sprinkle it over the lawn and flower beds. Then wet it down good with a garden hose.

With smokeless I simply spread it around in the garden. Broadcast it like you would grass seed.

If I want to save a bp can I empty it and then wash it out with warm water. Sit it upside down in the dish drainer at the sink.

 

[gordy]

I would have to agree with the idea of sprinkling (thinly)over the lawn and garden,the water will cause the components to disolve and seperate and become inert.The powder residue in can will also deactivate with water and there is no danger with keeping the can. :thumbsup:

 

[tg]

We always kept the cans and ordered the next batch by bulk and it came in plastic bags which we refilled the old cans from........don't know if it is still available that way.

 

[crs1945]

Thanks folks.All great ideas for disposal! I have thought of making small piles and lighting it but I never thought of just spreading it around the lawn and or garden. Thanks again!

Muzzie :RO:

 

[musketman]

And to think I use to save all of my old powder and blow it off on the fourth of July...

A long cannon fuse and an old stump the needed removed anyways, well, so much for the neighbors mid day nap...

 

[Leonredbeard]

Muzzie,
Why does one need to get rid of old black powder? It is mechanically locked together and doesn't change with time unless it is burned or wetted. Even if wetted, when it dries it is viable again. Even if it is caked one can crush it again in small quantities. I don't think it gets weaker with age, and I certainly can't see that it would get stronger. It already burns with explosive force whether confined or not. but it is so low yield that it must be confined to make a bang.

Now, smokeless, because it is chemically combined can get old and erratic, and then must be discarded. But not black.
God bless.
volatpluvia

 

[Dave Poss]

that's interesting!!! Does black powder get old enough to throw away? Now that I think about it, I have read where civil war shells have been found and detonated with alot of ummph still in there after 100 + years. I guess living in a "disposable" world just made me think if it was a few years old , I should get rid of it. Have any tests ever been conducted on the energy of old vs. new powder? :hmm:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I use my "old" powder in my shotgun. I have some that is at least 15 years old and still goes "Boom" just fine.

 

[musketman]

that's interesting!!! Does black powder get old enough to throw away?

A long time ago we kicked this idea around a bit...

How Old is Too Old for Black Powder?

Even if it gets wet, once it drys, it is still a black powder cake, has to be re-grained though...

:imo: I think black powder will out last the can it is sole in...

 

[JeffinNZ]

Take the unwanted powder and pour it onto the ground near your garage. Crouch down wind and strike a match then touch off the edge of the powder. :nono: At the exact time the powder ignites and the ensuing flash momentarily obscures your vision, take a huge breathe of smoke and rapidly stand up with limbs failing in the breeze while coughing. :shocking: Staggering backwards still blinded by the smoke and coughing smack the back of your forearm into the front edge of the car port and create a 2 inch long gash. :cry: Clamp down on the blood oozing gash with the hand of the opposing arm and regain your senses (both sight and sound :no and rapidly move in doors to patch the wound, clean up the blood and groom the burnt fringe of your hair before your wife returns to berate your stupidity.
:yakyak: :results: :crackup: :crackup:

 

[roundball]

::

...sounds to precise to be fiction !!

::

 

[brushbuster]

quote "fact is stranger than truth"-grandpa jones :crackup: :blah: :thumbsup:

 

[RussB]

Just wondering JeffinNZ.....How is that 2" gash in your left forearm doing, since your little run in with the car port?

Inquiring minds thingy, you know.
:nono:

Russ

 

[tg]

A friend of mine used some BP to light his BBQ grill a few years back...fortunately his family and quests were a good distance away it took a while for his eyebrows to grow back and all the black specks to go away......it still causes me a bit of concern when he calles and wants to go shooting/hunting....poor judgement sometimes follows one for a lifetime.

 

[JeffinNZ]

RussB.
Oh the arm is fine now.
That incident, which I might add with a certain amount of embarrassment is true, was a year or 3 back now.
My hair dresser laughed herself stupid..... :redthumb:

 

[flaming canvas]

Motor oil isn't a good thing to be putting in the land fill.
Sooner or later it will wind up in the ground water.

Swish some water around in the can and through it on the yard or flower beds.


Black powder will not weaken with age. If you could find some with the F&I war, it would still make thunder and smoke.