Old metal powder cans and rust

R

rookie7

New member
I have several cans of powder that I've had for awhile. I opened a brand new can of IMR 4350 that was in the rectangular metal can, and as I poured it into the powder dispenser and brown dust came out. There was rust on the inside wall of the can.

The powder shot fine though. Since this happened I have checked all of my older metal cans, and a few more had some internal surface rust.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what are you using as a replacement?

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
Personally, if I find ANY rust in any of my powders, it goes straight to the trash (actually I bury the stuff in the ground). Theres no way I'm going to chance doing any damage to any of my rifles as an unintended consequence.
 
I'm being careful with it. The worst one was the IMR 4350 it had rust dust in the can, but the powder looks and smells fine.

I've loaded over 100 rounds with the powder so far with no issues.

I just wanted to know what folks use to store powder if not in the original container. If someone hasn't encountered my issue maybe they have bought 8LB containers before then broken it up into smaller containers.

Thanks
 
Hate to suggest it, but I'd spread it in the flower bed for fertilizer and buy new...Contaminated powder is just too risky...
 
I agree I would not use it. I would put it out to pasture.
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If it smells OK and you really want to know if it is safe to use with rust in the can call Hodgdon and ask them.

DAB
 
Originally Posted By: Yukon21I always wait till night then make a line of powder in the back yard and light it. Lots of energy given off.

+1
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I used to go through IMR 4350 like crazy. 7-08s, 243s, 30-06, 7 mag, and more.

I have one last metal can of it on my bench. It is empty, but WAY old. Still no rust inside.

How old is that can of powder?
 
Originally Posted By: ShynlocoPersonally, if I find ANY rust in any of my powders, it goes straight to the trash (actually I bury the stuff in the ground). Theres no way I'm going to chance doing any damage to any of my rifles as an unintended consequence.

+1 on the above. I wouldn't use that powder in any gun I own if there was rust inside the can. Life is tough enough, I want no surprises when I pull the trigger.
 
If I didn't have any issues with it, and it appears you didn't encounter any, I would use it up for plinking fodder. If you are worried about it, do as Turtle says and use it for lawn and flower food.
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunI used to go through IMR 4350 like crazy. 7-08s, 243s, 30-06, 7 mag, and more.

I have one last metal can of it on my bench. It is empty, but WAY old. Still no rust inside.

How old is that can of powder?

The can was probably 20 to 25 years old. Never opened, and always kept inside. But it was kept in a basement where the reloading equipment was.

I appreciate everyone's input - especially regarding safety.

Still haven't found a perfect subsitute container, but it appears that new plastic containers for powder are 1) dark (usually black in color) and 2) made out of a #2 plastic.

I think a plastic folgers can or peanut can would work after cleaned out.
 
Hmmm. Mine is in the basement also. Lots of moisture, especially in the winter months and when the A/C is on. I'd say mine is about 15yrs. old.

Why don't you just put your IMR powders in plastic powder containers from Hodgdon and such and relabel them? How many new containers do you need?
 
joed,

The IMR 4350 was only 1 lb.

2mg,

I took most of my powder out of metal containers and moved it to empty folgers containers and a few green peanut containers.

To get all my powder in current plastic containers I would probably need 4 or 5. I contacted someone I know locally to be on a lookout for empty powder containers for me.

I just need to shoot more. Then I won't have this problem. I am slowly resolving this problem with trips to the range!
 
Fellas
I just got off the phone with Hodgdon and I described the rust in the can. They / the person I talked to said it probably is not rust at all BUT a reddish brown residue from powder deterioration, and it should not be used even if it smells OK or even if it seem to shoot OK. He emphasized his statement about not using it.

So keep this in mind.

DAB
 
I sent you out I believe 7 empty powder jars today. 5 Hodgdon, 1 Accurate, 1 Alliant.

You should have them Wednesday, Thursday at the latest........
 


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