Should I leave powder in the flask?

[Ken Morrison]

Should I leave black powder in the powder flask or primer pen from week to week or for a month at a time during hunting season?
If not should I discard it in some way or pour it back into the can?
How should I dispose of unused black powder. I've burned smokeless powder in the past after pouring it in a trail.
How dangerous is it to have a flask or primer around the house?
Thanks for your help.
Merry Chrismas.

 

[Hawkeye]

Magumba asks,
"Should I leave black powder in the powder flask or primer pen from week to week or for a month at a time during hunting season?"

I've done this for decades, unless there are issues with children or other unauthorized people getting into it there is no reason to empty your prime or powder horns/flasks.


"If not should I discard it in some way or pour it back into the can?"

If you choose to not store powder in flasks or horns , yes you can put it back into the can.


"How should I dispose of unused black powder."

Send it to me and I will dispose of it for you. Really black powder has no real shelf life and as long as it is kept dry it can be used. Substitutes may be another matter, I don't use them so will not comment.

"I've burned smokeless powder in the past after pouring it in a trail."

Black powder will not burn like smokeless, it will go VERY quickly, like nearly all at once, if you choose to do this burn a small ammount well dispursed and be very cautious.

"How dangerous is it to have a flask or primer around the house?"

I've had horns and flasks around for decades. that being said I have no children or other non-authorized people around to fool with my stuff. My personal opnion is a horn of powder is not really a greater hazard than lighters the half full gas can in the garage or the propane tank for the barbie as long as it is up away from curious fingers if you get my drift.

Hawkeye

 

[silverfox]

I agree with hawkeye 100%. I have had BP in both can's and flask with the I can't remember how long. I also have gotten in the past horns with powder in them probable 50 or more years ago that shot just fine. As hawkeye said just keep it in a safe place and away from any sparks.
The other stuff yes it has a tendency to clumpup in the cans. It can be broken back down and used but it will always have the tendency to be hard to ignite.
As for burning, be carefull. It's fast, hot and will harm you. It doesn't burn slow like they show in the movies, thats smokeless not black.
Fox
Stick with black and keep it dry.
Fox :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Blivetmaker]

Due to job and location; I was unable to shoot for almost 15 years! I had a brass flask half full of FFG and a half-kilo of Swiss No.1 in the safe. When I started up with BP again, it shot as if it was right off the shelf.
Just store it securely.
Like Gandalf sez:"Keep it secret. Keep it safe!"

 

[sherpadoug]

If the flask or pen does not seal real well and you worry about dampness you could always put it in a ziplock bag.

I am sure it is safer than a half full can of gas for the lawn mower!

 

[Ridge]

I always have 4 or 5 loaded horns around the house. I've never had a problem.

If I wanted to discard some powder (and I have when I forgot which type I put in which horn) I simply sprinkle it through the yard and wait for rain.

 

[sequoia]

Black powder is a very stable substance. It does not deteriorate over time probably due to the charcol content. I have heard of powder being salvaged from sunken ships that has been under water for 50-60-70 years that was dried out and tested and was still mil-spec! My main horn has never been empty of powder since a built it some 25 years ago. As long as it is kept away from the wrong hands there should be no problem with keeping it aroundfor a long time. I recently broke out a can of FF I bought 25 years ago for a shoot and it worked fine in my blunderbus.

 

[DCF]

Here's one for you - from good old Britain! Our law says we can only store and transport powder in its original container!!
So get it out of the health and safety executive approved locked wooden box, carry it to the range, put it in your powder flask, measure it into files, shoot, empty all unused powder into the original container take it home and lock it up again.
We don't live longer in Britain - it just seems like it.

 

[Ken Morrison]

Thanks for the help. It's great to have the internet, such a welth of information at my finger tips 24 hours a day.

 

[Arrowstorm]

"How should I dispose of unused black powder."

Send it to me and I will dispose of it for you. Really black powder has no real shelf life and as long as it is kept dry it can be used. Substitutes may be another matter, I don't use them so will not comment.


:rotf: Hawkeye, that is awesome! I would have said the same thing.

I've heard of black powder as old as from the mexican/american war that burned perfectly well. As long as your powder is dry, there's no real reason why it shouldn't flare up when you light it, correct?