6 x 284 bad powder explosion

[M-61]

Not sure if I remember this correctly or not. Bruce Hodgdon got his start buying boxcars full of 4831 from the US government as surplus. If indeed a fact, I wonder how many years it took to deplete that? ( if ever?)

 

[M-61]

ETA, like the vibratory tumbler affected it].

Caught my interest. I took a case, filled it 3/4 full of 4831SC, pushed in a bullet as a plug, no primer.
Put it in my vibratory tumbler for 36 hours. Checked it a couple of times. No change in the powder shape or size. Still running. I’ll call it a day after an insane 48 hours.
It is a vibratory tumbler. Walnut media. It is not a true tumbler ( like Thumbs) which may produce a different result.
Brass looks really shiny though.
Maybe I’ll try it in a real tumbler if I feel like it.
Personally I feel it’s a mix of powders he had. Any one’s guess as to what.

 

[jelenko]

I’ve got 4831 sc i used in my 6.5 x 284 cooper varminter that real old but no problems. I know a guy who got his hands in some WW 2 machine gun powder and shot it no problems. Mostly how it’s stored.

That's my understanding also.
At the same time, in another thread, it looks like some powder [I think it was 4166] decayed even though stored well.

 

[CJ6]

Not sure if I remember this correctly or not. Bruce Hodgdon got his start buying boxcars full of 4831 from the US government as surplus. If indeed a fact, I wonder how many years it took to deplete that? ( if ever?)

I finished a 100# keg of IMR 4895 (pull down)from Herters last year. Purchased around 69-70.

 

[M-61]

Caught my interest. I took a case, filled it 3/4 full of 4831SC, pushed in a bullet as a plug, no primer.
Put it in my vibratory tumbler for 36 hours. Checked it a couple of times. No change in the powder shape or size. Still running. I’ll call it a day after an insane 48 hours.
It is a vibratory tumbler. Walnut media. It is not a true tumbler ( like Thumbs) which may produce a different result.
Brass looks really shiny though.
Maybe I’ll try it in a real tumbler if I feel like it.
Personally I feel it’s a mix of powders he had. Any one’s guess as to what.

 

[M-61]

After 50+ hours there was no change physically in 4831SC
Rather uninteresting and what expected.
Not doing any other test or changing to tumbler.

 

[243winxb]

Sako action.

There was a recall around 2004 for stainless Sako or Tikka. Substandard steel in the barrels, issue.

My guess, wrong powder in the container.
Kaboom Photos

 

[Rat Rifle]

Vortex did warranty the scope

Gotta love that Vortex warranty. jd

Big 10 - 4 on that

 

[jepp2]

old powders 50 -70 years old Normally get slower

I've shot quite a bit of old powders and pull down powders. The only powder I ever encountered that went "bad" was a can of IMR 4350 that was always properly stored and only about 8 years old. I had purchased it new.
I had some of it loaded in rounds for my 280 Remington. The powder in the can showed that signs powder show when it go bad. I ass-u-med that when powder went bad it would lose strength. So rather than just pull them down, I decided to shoot them. Just a mild load I had shot many times. Was very surprised to find out that the powder significantly INCREASED in pressure. Probably something to do with the retardant coating changing. After one shot I was convinced I knew nothing about what happens to powder when it goes bad. Just pulled down the remaining loads and disposed of the powder.

I did recently shoot a shotshell that was loaded with Red Dot about 60 years ago. I had cut one open and everything looked fine. I shot one, and it sounded "different" than other loads I was shooting. My theory on this one was the powder in a paper hull lost moisture over the many years and this reduced the strength of it.

 

[jds holler]

AND -- when shooting old cartridges, don't forget the dreaded "Cold Weld", which I and others have now become believers of. jd

 

[Old Navy]

Caught my interest. I took a case, filled it 3/4 full of 4831SC, pushed in a bullet as a plug, no primer.
Put it in my vibratory tumbler for 36 hours. Checked it a couple of times. No change in the powder shape or size. Still running. I’ll call it a day after an insane 48 hours.
It is a vibratory tumbler. Walnut media. It is not a true tumbler ( like Thumbs) which may produce a different result.
Brass looks really shiny though.
Maybe I’ll try it in a real tumbler if I feel like it.
Personally I feel it’s a mix of powders he had. Any one’s guess as to what.

I just did the same test. No change. I once dumped some loaded rounds by mistake in my RCBS vibratory cleaner. I took them to the range on my next outing and tested them against a new batch. No difference and I think the powder was. AA2200.

 

[17tbs]

Anything that changes into 2 completely different shaped kernels, is very likely not just one powder.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Not sure if I remember this correctly or not. Bruce Hodgdon got his start buying boxcars full of 4831 from the US government as surplus. If indeed a fact, I wonder how many years it took to deplete that? ( if ever?)

I'm STILL Shooting some of, Bruce Hogdon's WW2, 4895 that, my Dad purchased, in the mid 1950's for, .50 cents, a Pound but It's been Stored ( Cool and Dry ) in New Plastic Jugs for the Last 30+ years ( it was in, Paper jugs, before, that ).
I shoot 32.3 grains with, 50 grain V-Maxes or, Sierra Flat Based SP Bullets at 3,450+ FPS and get Sub 1/2" group's at 100 yds, in my .22-250,. for,.. Sage Rats to 250-300 yds ( a Killer, Load !! ).
Doubt seriously IF,.. the OP's friend's "Problem" was,.. an "Over Load" of, H4831 !! ( To SLOW of, a Burn rate ).
MOST "Blow Up's" INVOLVE, using, a Fast Burning, Pistol Powder by accident ( as an Owner of a Gun shop that Specialized in, Reloading tools / Components, I've SEEN,.. Several of THESE, myself, in Shotguns and Rifles ).
Think,.. Bomb Blast !!! They Get, everyone's attention,.. on the Range !

 

[Jr solocam]

I agree interesting thread. I have a ton of H4831sc and H1000, never worried about it. Maybe an expiration test? I don't know what that would look like. But there are smarter men than me on here.