Rusty IMR powder

[bulletbob7]

Anyone had any problems with the old IMR powder cans
causing the powder they contain to be coated in red
rust? The cans are stored in a climate controlled
room. When the powder is poured into the powder
measure a small red cloud drifts out. The powder
still has the solvent smell so I don't think it has
gone bad. 3031 appears to be the worst but I've
noticed it with 700X and 4064.

 

[IDBob]

I'd probably start thinking about using it as rose fertilizer if it started doing that. If it doesn't have an acidic smell it probably is ok, but...

 

[OldTurtle]

Better to be safe than sorry... I'd dump it and get new.

 

[kyotekiller25]

I have a few old old cans of IMR-4895 I dug up out of my uncles basement. It does what you describe, but I cant see any performance issues with it what so ever. I use it in my dads 22-250 and I just worked up a load with the 55g NBT in my .222 Rem with no problems. If its in a sealed container, I doubt its bad, just old. I wouldn't worry about it. Its not gonna blow you or your gun up or anything.

 

[1 Shot]

Red and dusty means it's bad. I won't use it. Makes good fertilizer in flower beds.

 

[Pickaway Mick]

Yep...I had some that did the same 4064....glad to see they went plastic.I ignited it to get rid of it.

 

[bea175]

I would dump it and purchase some new , just not worth using when it gets to this stage. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Wyocoyoter]

Never had that problem where I live as the humidity is next to nothing.

The danger if it's to old and degraded is the same as undercharging a case with powder. You won't get a seal on your case when it's fired and you could have an accident.

You should just trash it and start over with fresh. It may have been mixed with something else too.

 

[DocCoyote]

I would worry about what it's doing to the inside of my barrel after shooting over the rust left in the bore. Couldn't be good.

 

[BroncoGlenn]

Is your eye, face, or life not worth more than the price of a new can of powder?

 

[CatShooter]

Flush it down the toilet, or burn it.

It doesn't act as fertilizer (Nitrocellulose is a plastic and doesn't dissolve in water) so don't toss it on your roses.

.

 

[claimbuster]

Burn it! A $10 can of old powder is not worth a rifle or your eyes.

 

[bulletbob7]

Well Fudge! I've got 3 lbs of 3031 and 8 cans of 4350.

 

[wiley]

As you have been advised by the majority of respondents, dispose of the deteriorated powder. The burning rate (and hence the expansion of gases thus generated)is not accurately predictable when propellants deteriorate. The charge may work quite well 9,999 times, but kill you on the 10,000th. The problem is in knowing when the 10,000th is coming!