Old powder question

[kleanbore 1]

Don't know when or where I got 3 old 1lb cans of Dupont powder from, probably an estate cleanout years ago.The cans are red and white and say Dupont Improved Military Rifle Powder, Number 4320. Now with IMR 4320 getting hard to find, I decided to take a look at this powder with the idea of possibly using it. Upon close inspection, the powder looks nothing like modern IMR 4320. It is a round flake powder with a tiny hole in the center of each flake. New IMR 4320 is a short cut extruded powder. The old powder does not show any signs of deteriation or breakdown,it's black and no sign of the rust colored dust you see when powder breaks down. I'm afraid to use this as I'm not sure it's actually IMR4320 and not some pistol powder that some one filled the cans with. I have been using the can for display due to them being old and in real nice shape. Could it actually be the same as todays IMR 4320, just in a different form? What would you do with it, dump it all out and just save the cans? I'd hate to load my 350 Rem Mag with 58grs of some pistol powder. Would not be good.
Any opinions?

 

[jds holler]

Sounds like Trailboss. Is it a light color?



jd

 

[jds holler]

Look anything like this?

 

[cem]

I'm sure it's not actually IMR4320 so it's fertilizer. Phil Sharpe's book has a nice discussion of then current powders and their history and development and went through enough revisions to cover some time and many changes. Wolfe Publications has a nice collection of the Powder Notes column with physical descriptions, again over many years but the collection is not recently updated. In any event it's not cannister grade IMR powder.

 

[edwardware]

Sounds like someone committed a mortal sin and repackaged powder! I use lots of antique powder, but I would use that in a firework, not a firearm.

 

[M-61]

Now with IMR 4320 getting hard to find

A new EYE is hard to find also.
You have an old, unknown powder, stored in unknown conditions.
Dispose of it.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Fertilizer

 

[Daddymac]

I believe you said it best, "I'm afraid to use this", so don't.

 

[expiper]

that is NOT 4320 or any other IMR powder,,,,it is dangerous and should not be used,,,,Roger

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Your description of it does not sound like any kind of 4320, to me, but it does sound like a pistol or shotgun powder. Bottom line, it's not worth it anyway. Toss it!

 

[Liven The Dream]

I have had much 4320 that picture is Not .
Lucky Charms Maybe ?

The plants will love it ..

 

[kleanbore 1]

Thanks everyone. I will dump it and save the old empty cans. I did a side by side comparison to Unique and it's very close but slightly smaller grains then the Unique. Scary to think what could happen to some unknowing reloader unfamiliar with what different powders look like.

 

[M-61]

I will dump it and save the old empty cans

Just wonder...what will you use the cans for?