Explosion while reloading smokeless powder

[Coyotefurharvester]

Or the empty bottles were just empty bottles. People keep/hoard things for many reasons.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Couple years ago SAAMI and fire chiefs association did drop test, bonfire test and blasting cap test. Smokeless powder in factory packaging was deemed not explosive, burns at specific rates determined by the manufacturer.

 

[Rocketvapor]

ATF keeping the true cause secret for 2 and a half years.

 

[rockhound78]

So by electrically ignited, is that like an igniter for something like a model rocket motor, or and electrical blasting cap?

 

[M-61]

So by electrically ignited, is that like an igniter for something like a model rocket motor, or and electrical blasting cap?

Don’t forget electrical primers. All of the high cyclic fire (20,30 mm) machine guns ( called correctly ‘cannons’) are electrically primed.
Needed for the extreme speed the cannon fires.

 

[M-61]

Electrically primed cartridge for releasing ordinance from aircraft

 

[Rocketvapor]

Loud when they fail a static charge test

 

[Bill K]

Something is not correct, that little smokeless powder would not explode, just burn real hot and fast.
Wonder if he did not have some Black powder near by, which would explode if flame hit it.
I would really like to see and hear the truth to this story.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I bet he dumped all 6 pounds in an 8 pound jug, tossed in a couple hundred primers and accidentally set it off lighting a cigarette.

 

[wildcatter]

I think I mentioned corn dust in my other post. It's another good example of it not happening all of the time but given the right conditions, that stuff certainly can explode too. I don't think it's categorized as being an explosive either.

It is if your working in a grain depot. Not just corn dust, grain dust, in the conveyer pits storage areas and anywhere it can accumulate, explosion proof lights, and switches are requiered, and sparks, event static electricity can set it off. I found this out with more regulation working in a Central Soya grain depot, than when I worked at the refinery in Lima Ohio.

Very explosive, and it doesn't have to be contained to explode violently, unlike smokeless powder, that has to be confined to build enough pressure before it can explode.

 

[wildcatter]

This was from Toledo Ohio news.

Grain Elevator Explosion

The latest weather, news, and sports in Southwest Louisiana.

www.13abc.com

 

[rwj]

Something is not correct, that little smokeless powder would not explode, just burn real hot and fast.
Wonder if he did not have some Black powder near by, which would explode if flame hit it.
I would really like to see and hear the truth to this story.

I don’t know how complete or accurate the findings are in the ATF report. But an important consideration is that it doesn’t require much over-pressure in an enclosed space to create high forces acting on the structure. Using a typical single bay (8’ X 8’) garage door as an example - it has a surface area of 9216 square inches. A pressure increase/differential of just .25 pounds/square inch on the inside generates a force of 2304 pounds pushing it outwards...

 

[divingin]

ATF keeping the true cause secret for 2 and a half years.

I suspect it's more that they couldn't figure out the actual cause, so went for the low hanging fruit.

 

[M-61]

ATF keeping the true cause secret for 2 and a half years.

That’s all?
I’d never believe anything they report.

 

[RandyM72]

Ok I have tried to post a link to stories about this but I am afraid my lack of computer skills is preventing it.

The story is in Seffner Florida on Friday there was an explosion at a residence that destroyed most of the home and send two of the occupants to the hospital, the gentleman doing the reloading in critical condition. Apparently he told emt's that he was loading ammunition with smokeless powder and had 6 pounds of powder in close proximity when the explosion occurred. You can google Seffner explosion and see a number of stories and pictures of the incident. I can find nothing from ATF or sheriffs office about a further investigation or details.

This happened about 10 miles from my home and it certainly caught my wife's attention since she knows how much powder I have stored. My first thought was that he was must have been using black powder which is certainly more prone to exploding than smokeless but he apparently he did say smokeless, if you believe the reporters.

So I asking has anyone seen or heard of a violent explosion while reloading smokeless? If so what were the circumstances? I have been reloading 50 years and never been worried about reloading or my storage of powder.

I think powder is far safer than a can of gas. I even smoke occasionally when reloading, but am conscious of being careful and never had an incident. As other have said before me, even 6 pounds of powder would be a big ball of fire, but wouldn't explode unless it was in a pressurized container. One thing, if you have a few double charges and spilled powder on the bench of any quantity-its wise to clean it up and not allow an accumulation. Keep containers closed. Large quantities of powder ( over 20 pounds, I like to keep elsewhere, dry - in case of a house fire

 

[M-61]

but wouldn't explode unless it was in a pressurized container

A closed container is certainly a cartridge case. The only explosion is the primer.

 

[243winxb]

KABOOM To much of something

 

[wildcatter]

KABOOM To much of something

A little bit is all it takes when contain it tightly enough, 1lb in a sealed pipe can be tremendous, 1 lb in a hogdon powder container is simply,,,,,,, POOF

 

[Richard Jones]

I wonder if Dillon sent him a new press....