old black powder

[mj1angier]

Hi folks,

I got a box of goodies from the wife of an old hunter and there was 3 containers of black powder in them. 2 were normal RS and 1 is diffrent- I think it is called Black Canyon. the 2 RS look normal but the other is clumped together like sticky suger.
All this stuff is over 7 years old. How long will be RS be good for. What the bet way to get rid of the lumpy stuff.

Mickey

[Tightwad]

It is my understanding that true "black powder"
draws water even sitting on the self closed. That
said, to be safe, I'd recommend that you contact
your local police or fire dept to arrange for proper
disposal of this old , and maybe unstable, powder.

The fact that it's "clumped up" is NOT a good sign.

[wb0wao]

Not necessarily - "real" black powder as long as it is properly stored is good indefinately. I am assuming that it was stored in a sealed container, so if the container hasn't been compromised, it should be good.

Now the "Black Canyon" stuff is a different story. It is a BP replacement propellant and if it is clumped together, it is probably no good.

[mj1angier]

Thanks guys,

I think I will just get rid of the clumped stuff. The other looks ok but I don't want to miss a good deer if it bad. Anybody ever used blackpoder to get rid of a stump? I have a few on the proprty that need to go.
Mickey

[Tightwad]

Anybody ever used blackpowder to get rid of a stump? I have a few on the proprty that need to go.

Mate, while it might be fun to blow up a stump or two this old
powder is just to old and unstable to mess with. Like I said ,
dispose of it with professional help to be safe.

Let's not forget that BP was used for centuries to blow PEOPLE
up long before you and I came on the scene. Don't mess with
this stuff please.

[Bearfootfarm]

"RS" is a designation used for Pyrodex, which is a Black Powder substitute. It should be fine if in the original container. Black Canyon is also a substitute powder that in my opinion wasnt that good when brand new and isnt worth keeping. I now use Triple 7 and its wonderful stuff

[clawhammerdan]

Use it for stump removal but nothing else.

[shadowwalker]

Take it outside maybe in the garden. Pour out a row or rows. Water them down. Turn under, even use a rototiller. It is not a big deal to get rid of powder. I even make small rows on the ground and light them. I know some will act like scared chickens over my solution. But have done this for over 30 years.

[Bad_Omen]

Many years ago a friend bought a muzle loader in the UK but his explosives licence hadn't come through yet so he couldn't buy any BP.

The gun came with a BP flask which turned out to be about 3/4 full. We considered having a go with the old powder but thought better of it as we had no idea of the age or condition of the stuff.

Upshot of it is we decided to err on the side of caution and make a pile in the garden with a short fuse and see what happened. We learned a very important lesson that day...

Number one :Never assume that BP is no good 'cause it's old!!!

Number two: BP, run in a line as a fuse, does not burn nice and slowly as in films. It goes like hell.

We were both lucky and got away with nothing worse than singed hair.

Ah the things you get upto when you're 15, it's a wonder I ever made it to adulthood.

My advice is whatever you decide to do with it...Be very careful.

[robynpv]

Hey...Funny thing..Just last week I found two cans of some BP called Gomex.Both cans were un-opened soo one I did open and the stuff was very very fine.Anyway I was told it was for priming and was pretty dangerous stuff!!My husband and I poured them in the garden spot and wet them down.I kept one of the empty cans because it looked neat. :)