OK....I had a plumber that was at my house give me a an RCBS Press, 5-10 Scale, Powder Measure, Hand Priming Tool etc.....I have also ordered the remainder of my supplies and located a local shop with brass,bullets,powder and primers so I will be set up soon.

The plumber dropped off the box with the equipment and there are several containers of powder that look very old and the cans are rusty. How do I get rid of it?

There were also some old primers...Same question?

Poor the powder out in the yard. It won't hurt anything. Lucky you. Even thought he press may be old it has a lifetime warranty but you probably will never use the warranty. Soak the primers in a little water for a while and toss them in the garbage. You could probably use the primers but I don't like to use old ones. They are cheap anyway.

Zackly what Dwight said......

The powder may still be good if the cans were unopened. Open the can & pour some out, if it looks "rusty" & has a strong amonia smell, use it for fertilizer. The primers are probably toast. They need to be desposed of w/ care. Soaking them in water for several weeks will likely take the bite out of them. Just DO NOT throw them in the trash.

Do not even consider using the poeder,especially to the point of even looking much less smelling of it! Too much old powder is put in another can, for some stupid reason that everyone has forgotten. Dwight is right.. Happy reloading, with known components.

powder is one of the best lawn fertilizers in the world.

Thanks for the replies....I have the primers soaking now and will dispose of the powder tomorrow....

Is ther any chance of detonation considering I will probably have to pry the cans open? I mean they are reallly rusty.

Just don't cut them open with a torch and you will be okay.

Dwight: you are really on the money.

At least the guy is asking questions rather than hurt himself and others. I know I have done some dumb stuff before without asking. Hurt my pride more than anything else fortunately.

I appreciate the help concerning what I'm sure are very basic questions.....I deal with Blast Mitigation and Anti-Terrorism....In my line of work you learn to ask questions and NEVER assume anything.

When we are at Quantico detonating 100 KG of Comp B to test our products....if you assume the wrong thing....People turn to mist. I wasn't sure how reactive older SP could be...so I asked.

Thanks again,

When you go through the reload manuals you should be able to see the diffence in powders. Some burn and others flash.
You basic smokeless powder burns and unless compressed is harmless. The flash powders used in muzzle loaders is little different. Flash means it ignites easily burns really fast.
Visit some powder manufacturers web sites also for more info.
Good Luck to you.

flush it all down the toilet.

Smokeless powder does make good fertilizer, keeps my lawn green.

LLS

quote:

Originally posted by Dwight:
When you go through the reload manuals you should be able to see the diffence in powders. Some burn and others flash.
You basic smokeless powder burns and unless compressed is harmless. The flash powders used in muzzle loaders is little different. Flash means it ignites easily burns really fast.
Visit some powder manufacturers web sites also for more info.
Good Luck to you.

Dwight,

Thanks again.

Bruz

quote:

Originally posted by sierra2:
Smokeless powder does make good fertilizer, keeps my lawn green.

LLS

u must waste a lot of powder!!!!
a

quote:

Originally posted by doccash:
Do not even consider using the poeder,especially to the point of even looking much less smelling of it! Too much old powder is put in another can, for some stupid reason that everyone has forgotten. Dwight is right.. Happy reloading, with known components.

I had gotten some unopened cans of IMR4831 awhile back. The tops were rusty, but when opened, the powder looked fine, smelled just like a new can I had, measured the same & shot the same. I don't see the problem? Your mileage may vary though.

fredj: nothing wrong with unopened new powder and the age doesn't bother me nor the rust, but partial cans from the plummer?

oops just showed what I know PLUMBER.