Drying out old black powder
I have some cans of Dupont black powder in various grades
that date back to the late '50s and early '60s.
Recently, I noted that one can developed pinhead spots that were coming from within the can and the powder was slightly caked. the powder was gingerly transferred to another can.
I plan to dry all my black powder on a very dry day of low humidity and also screen one can of suspected mixed granulations.
Anyone have experience doing this, know what relative humidity to do it or know where to find the screens from 4FG to FG?
that date back to the late '50s and early '60s.
Recently, I noted that one can developed pinhead spots that were coming from within the can and the powder was slightly caked. the powder was gingerly transferred to another can.
I plan to dry all my black powder on a very dry day of low humidity and also screen one can of suspected mixed granulations.
Anyone have experience doing this, know what relative humidity to do it or know where to find the screens from 4FG to FG?
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So far as granulation goes, I wouldn't worry if used in a rifle. Just use slightly lighter loads than normal. So far as wetness goes.... dunno. Never gotten mine wet!
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
for some reason i always associated decomposition of powder to be in direct relation to a chemical breakdown once subjected to moisture which would render powder dangerous and unpredicable. is it just me or do i need a re-education in this area? doesnt water cause chemicals to break down? 0 -
Dump it down the nearest toilet.
Unless you like (or know where to find a handy outlet of) trying to find or buy replacement hands, fingers, eyes, etc.- discard ANY powder that shows any signs of degrading.
Black powder is used as the "primer" or fuse to set off all military high explosives, ie, hand grenades, mortar rounds, mines, bombs, etc.
Uncle Sugar doean't hang onto his ordnance beyond a certain "safety" level, why should you?
The older it is; the more careful with it you should be.
John0 -
It will be fine once dried but as to screens, I do not know where to get them in different sizes, F to FFFF. To find the screens, call Dixie Gun Works and see if they know where to get them. Here is their link:http://www.dixiegunworks.com
I do know one BP importer and if I see him in the new future I will ask him if he has any advice on screens. His wife is seriously ill so he is getting out of the business. He might have them but I do not know and with his wife being ill, I am reluctant to give out his number but hopefully I will see him or his son-in-law soon.
"we are but men... no more, no less..."0 -
Originally posted by jakelin
Dump it down the nearest toilet.
Unless you like (or know where to find a handy outlet of) trying to find or buy replacement hands, fingers, eyes, etc.- discard ANY powder that shows any signs of degrading.
Black powder is used as the "primer" or fuse to set off all military high explosives, ie, hand grenades, mortar rounds, mines, bombs, etc.
Uncle Sugar doesn't hang onto his ordnance beyond a certain "safety" level, why should you?
The late, great Elmer Keith once wrote that: "in thunderstormy weather it is acutally dangerous to shake a can-full of the stuff".
The older it is; the more careful with it you should be.
John0 -
FYI, black powder is manufactured while wet with water (cake), and is than crumbled and dried before being sifted for size.
You can find sifter screens at places like "Fisher Scientific", but what sizes you'll need I don't know (the prices might cause you to give up on that part of the project).
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
My understanding of black powder is that it becomes weaker when it absorbs moisture frim the air, not stronger or more dangerous. Shaking an old can of black powder I've read has caused explosions. I'm given to believe hydrogen is the culprit. There is no hydrogen in black powder but it can be liberated when the can is rusted internally from moisture in the air within the can. My take on this is that Oxygen from moisture in the air within the can combines with iron in the steel can to form rust (Iron Oxide). The remaining hydrogen is liberated within the can. If you can get a static discharge within the can from shaking the powder around, I can see the more flammable hydrogen detonating the black powder. There is strong polarity between ground and clouds during electrical storms which may which may account for the greater danger then.
Whth all this in mind I was very careful in opening these old cans to vent out any Hydrogen there might be in them. I was especially carefull in opening the rusting can of 4FG.
I intend to ground everything while spreading the powder to avoid any static discharges.0 -
It does not harm black powder for it to get wet, then to be dried out and fired. 0 -
Ya got any stumps that need removed? That's be a perfect use for old BP... 0 -
I would'nt shoot it! The moisture that has eaten thru the can has a certain Amount of Nitrate in it from the powder....It will weaken the Powder to have lost some of this nitrate....I'd be afraid to shoot it...
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0
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