Is this powder?

[Laurie]

Love a good history lesson. And this was a good one.

Great read @Laurie, thanks for the history lesson.

Lloyd

You're both welcome.

I should have added that UK cadet forces continued to use the Enfield No.4 rifle and cordite (or any other form that could be procured) 303 for many years after the regular and reserve forces changed to our version of the FN FAL in 7.62mm. I can well remember school Army Cadet Force range days in the 1960s shooting them, and the BREN light machinegun saw some use in its original 303 calibre in this role too, in addition to 7.62mm conversions for the regulars, 'Territorials' (part-timers like American National Guardsmen) and the Royal Marines (who loved their 7.62 BRENs and had to have them taken away almost by force!)

 

[Krogen]

Excellent posts, Laurie. Thank you!

 

[treewater]

I'm new here. I signed up to see what information is available for recycling powder. That means, I've a fair amount of 7 x 57 and 8 x 57 Mauser. Some from Europe, Middle East, South America. All surplus. Some shoots, some doesn't. When I get enough dud rounds I set up to salvage bullets and powder. I've found powder in round balls, square flakes, round cylinders, and such. I decided it's all just rifle powder so I'm mixing it all together. So far it has been okay. Seems to behave just like the IMR 4064. Is there anything dangerous here?

 

[Ringostar]

I'm new here. I signed up to see what information is available for recycling powder. That means, I've a fair amount of 7 x 57 and 8 x 57 Mauser. Some from Europe, Middle East, South America. All surplus. Some shoots, some doesn't. When I get enough dud rounds I set up to salvage bullets and powder. I've found powder in round balls, square flakes, round cylinders, and such. I decided it's all just rifle powder so I'm mixing it all together. So far it has been okay. Seems to behave just like the IMR 4064. Is there anything dangerous here?

This beats the comedy thread that was recently locked! There’s no way that this is serious.

 

[jdh47]

Fascinating. Thanks Laurie.

 

[powderbrake]

I have to chuckle when I am reading a novel and the character says, "The smell of Cordite was in the air." just after a modern revolver or pistol is fired.

 

[treewater]

This beats the comedy thread that was recently locked! There’s no way that this is serious.

I'm not sure what this means. I asked an honest question. So far I've loaded to the minimum amount of factory powder. Everything shows a repetition of factory data. I shoot everything through a chronograph.

 

[ebb]

Sounds like sure way to have big problems. All powders even the same brand have different burn rates and produce different pressures. This is a bad practice that you should stop at once. Get a reloading manual and find a powder that is appropriate for the chambering, and load carefully using a charge that the manual recommends, work up to a max load carefully and slowly. Learn what pressure signs are and how to read them and watch the signs to see if your load is safe.. Modern rifles produce between 50,000 and 60,000 PSI and that is going on only inches from your face, making assumptions that "It's all rifle powder " is dangerous. Reloading manuals exist so that assumptions do not have to be made, all the loads in the manual have been tested and are proven to be safe.

 

[Krogen]

I'm new here. I signed up to see what information is available for recycling powder. That means, I've a fair amount of 7 x 57 and 8 x 57 Mauser. Some from Europe, Middle East, South America. All surplus. Some shoots, some doesn't. When I get enough dud rounds I set up to salvage bullets and powder. I've found powder in round balls, square flakes, round cylinders, and such. I decided it's all just rifle powder so I'm mixing it all together. So far it has been okay. Seems to behave just like the IMR 4064. Is there anything dangerous here?

In general, it's unwise to mix powders. And you can't lump all powders into "just rifle powder." It's a recipe for trouble. Rifle powders come in various burn rates that could overpressure your firearm. You're seeing this spectrum by observing "round balls, square flakes, round cylinders, and such." You are grossly underestimating the potential danger.

If you're going to handload, use a loading manual and stay within it's guidelines.

 

[treewater]

Thanks everyone

 

[Rsadams]

Good read on it here....

Cordite - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org