Can this powder be salvaged?

[Spencer]

I had a 5 lb jug of RE15 in my garage in a cabinet.
The cap was somehow knocked off and it remained that way for a period of months this fall.
I'm sure there was some level of humidity present during this exposure but I'm not sure what impact this may have.
Can this powder be saved? This is for .223 ammo for high power shooting.
Can I do some tests? Do I have to "dry out" this powder?
Can I just load up my short line loads (non max) and check the velocity?
Thanks for your help.
Spencer

 

[jpretle]

The smell test may give you some idea, but I wouldn't rely on that, totally. I suspect it would make good fertilizer, which is what I would be inclined to do w/ it.

 

[jonbearman]

Before you throw it out call alliant and ask a tech.Explain where it was and the type of cabinet it was in.Do not use it as fertilizer as it doesnt break down that fast.I would be inclined to throw it out alittle at a time in your regular garbage.

 

[WyleWD]

Use it for fertilizer and mark it down as a lesson learned. JMHO, but you should NEVER use suspect gunpowder in reloading. Am pretty sure that Alliant would not recommend any tests to see if it was Ok. Read the limited warranty on their products. WD

 

[expiper]

Spencer,,,I travel thru Iron City (Pittsburg) occasionally,,,,if you like I will take it off your hands and do a thorough analyssis of its combustibility,,,,wink,,,Roger

PS,,do like all ready suggested,,,smell it ,,,pour some out in cup and see if it has lump/clumps in it,,,and if it pours freely out of the jug,,,I would (remember I milk rattlesnakes for a hobby),,,load a cupla of em with a proven load and try it,,,,,,make shure your ins. premiums are up to date,,,

 

[smoooth]

You guys must have money to burn, literally! This is not some unknown powder. Pour it onto some clean paper or plastic sheet, check for clumps and degradation - use if it looks good.

If you have a chrono, you could compare findings - all things the same.

The rest of you, I'll be along shortly to pick up all your powder, primers, bullets, brass, loaded ammo and firearms that are over 6 months old. They really are a safety risk to you and I am serious about safety. I am here to help.

 

[stool]

i would do as smooth says, visual check, then a performance check.

work up slowy watch for anything abnormal...

 

[WyleWD]

http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/storage_handling.aspx

Found the above link to Alliant's safety & storage recommendations. One of the first phrases on most gunpowder manufacturers storage recommendations is "STORE IN A COOL DRY PLACE".

Personally, I would pitch it. It has been a pretty wet fall and early winter and not knowing exactly how often you leave your garage door open, whether a cat peed in it etc etc , I believe that it would be irresponsible to have someone "on the internet" to recommend that "oh yeah.... you'll be fine go ahead and use it."

Also, I'd encourage the Original poster of this thread to call Alliant and ask for their recommendations. And if you do that please post their response. WD

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Crazy! There is nothing wrong with your powder. I let my powder "gas out" on purpose. It seems to shoot better. The worst you have done is slow the burn rate a tiny bit.
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/09/tech-tip-humidity-can-change-powder-burn-rates/

 

[MrMajestic]

FYI, I'm still shooting WW2 surplus 4831 that has had a questionable past. My .270 don't seem to mind.... I don't milk snakes but did paint bridges when I was younger! Oh, and got married!!!!
Please use caution and follow the others recommendations on testing.

 

[savagedasher]

Crazy! There is nothing wrong with your powder. I let my powder "gas out" on purpose. It seems to shoot better. The worst you have done is slow the burn rate a tiny bit.
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2008/09/tech-tip-humidity-can-change-powder-burn-rates/

Many of the bench rest shooters have done it for years. If you lived close you could pitch it my way. Larry

 

[Spencer]

Thanks for your comments.
I have sent an email to Alliant for their official advice.
My general feeeling is that the powder would only slightly degrade (if at all).
I don't see it as a risky experiment to start at the minimum and work up. Checking velocity w/ a chronograph.
I'll post what Alliant has to say.
Thanks again.

 

[CatShooter]

Thanks for your comments.
I have sent an email to Alliant for their official advice.
My general feeeling is that the powder would only slightly degrade (if at all).
I don't see it as a risky experiment to start at the minimum and work up. Checking velocity w/ a chronograph.
I'll post what Alliant has to say.
Thanks again.

You will probably get a negative reply from Alliant - they have a team of lawyers that dictate everything they say.

Remember that "back in the days", powder was sold in brown paper bags - that were stored in God knows what conditions.

Also, keep in mind that smokeless powder is a plastic and down not absorb any measurable amount of humidity - black powder DOES have that problem.

Drop your loads 10% and work up - you will find no difference in your loads - use this as a learning experience.

As a plastic, smokeless powder does not fertilize your lawn - it sits there forever.

 

[Spencer]

Here is the response from Alliant Powder:
I was pleasantly surprised by a "real world" approach. Spencer

A couple of tests you can do to see if the powder is still viable.
First is the smell.
Second, take some powder and pour a small amount onto a white piece of paper. If a red residue is left behind then the powder is bad.
Finally take a small amount in a pile and lite it from a distance. If the powder burns at a 'spitting and sputtering' rate rather than a 'constant' rate it is bad.
If the powder is bad there are a couple of things you can do.
One is take it and spread it on the lawn or garden thinly as a fertilizer. It is nitrogen based and will work like a fertilizer.
The other is to call your local fire department and ask them if they have a means of disposing bad powder.
Thanks,

Shoot Straight
DuaneVB
CCI/SPEER/ALLIANT POWDER
2299 Snake River Ave.
Lewiston, ID
1-800-276-9337

 

[expiper]

Spence,,,,,there you hav it,,,,they and I in my earlier post forgot to tell you what good and bad smell like!!!!,,most powders have acetone used as cleaner and preserver,,,,the smell when good is like acetone/rubbing alcohol,,,very sweet and aromatic,,,,if it is BAD the smell is like rotten socks,,,it is terrible,,,,I have had some experience with bad powder over the yrs....had some bad GI-322 bak in the 80's,,,,and some shotgun powder (800 X) ,,,lots of "B"enchrest shooters had the GI go bad and the 800x was due to improper storeage in the top floor of a warehouse which was over 100 degrees in the summer,,,,,hope this helps,,,,Roger

 

[WyleWD]

Spencer, thanks for posting that. Really appreciate someone following up like you did. WD