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Rusty powder

toad67toad67 Member Posts: 13,019 ✭✭✭✭
edited July 2009 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
Recently found two one pound containers of IMR 4350 that were sealed and stored in a plastic tote. I opened them up and it appears that the cans have some slight rust in them. How would this affect the powder? There doesn't seem to be alot of it but there is definitely some there. Any suggestions on how to get rid of it? Thanks in advance.

Todd
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    hehatemehehateme Member Posts: 724 ✭
    edited November -1
    I'm pretty sure that the orange, rusty looking tint of the powder means it's bad.. Does it smell acrid?
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    mbsamsmbsams Member Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Why take a chance? Makes good fertilizer - sprinkle it in the garden
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    Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,198 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rusty dust in powder is an absolute sign that it has begun to deteriorate. If used, its performance is completely unpredictable.

    There are also reports that if left in the can, it may begin to deteriorate at a rate that causes it to get hot. I'll leave the result of that to your imagination.

    I had one can of powder go bad in exactly that way: red dust and an acrid smell like vinegar. I immediately scattered it thinly in my garden.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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    toad67toad67 Member Posts: 13,019 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It seems to smell about like the rest of the other powders that I have around. It looks like only the can is rusting.

    Todd
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    Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,198 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If the rust is on the outside of the can, no problem. But if it appears that the insides are rusting, that almost certainly isn't rust but deteriorating powder. You originally said the cans were sealed, so there shouldn't be any moisture inside of them to cause rusting.

    Your choice, but I wouldn't trust my guns or body parts to dubious powder.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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    sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I triple dog the motion...powder is bad have fun and burn it up or use it as fertilizer.
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