Has anyone who reloads had any problems with the explosives "sniffers" at airports?

In particular, I was wondering about powder residue on your hands or shoes.

I just scattered two or three pounds of old powder out in our yard and my wife is getting ready to fly to Washington next week. If she gets into hot water over any powder residue, I'll be getting into hot water also.

Yes it does register.I was detained in Vegas and had to empty a bag that I sometimes use as a range bag.No big deal,just slows you up a little.

Yes sir. I was stopped for my shoes that I had alot of powder in from me accidentally dumping a load at Armarillo airport on Sunday. They let me go after explaining the situation. Only because the tester said he was a reloader himself and understood how that could happen. Thank goodness I was in TX and not in Maryland or someother anti gun state.

I went through an airport shortly before 9-11. I was using my range bag as a carryon. I know that I had had loads come apart in it, so I am sure it had some residue. I had a reloading press in it that I was transporting. The security person swabed the bag, but it came up OK. Either the machine was bad, or not too sensitive. It did not turn out to be much of a problem.

You could always tell them you've been spreading fertilizer in the veggy garden by hand - working it into the soil well. The sniffers can't tell the difference, nitrates are nitrates.

PaulS

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stay safe and live long!

I've been through airports a couple of times, just after reloading, and have not had a problem.

I don't know, but I suppose, that they may not scan for something as mild as nitrocellulose. Now nitroglycerin from a double base powder is probably a different story.

I wouldn't want to find out what would happen if you accidentally spilled a few granules of double base powder into the keyboard of your laptop.

Airport security are not playing games. They're playing hardball. If you get stopped and questioned because you have powder residue on your person, explain to them that you reload ammo and shoot. Both of these hobbies are lawful and reasonable.

If you try to confuse the issue by telling them you've been "spreading fertilizer" in the garden, you're just asking for trouble by some security people who are in the mood to make serious trouble for you.

Don't play games. You'll lose.

The sniffers are pretty sensitive. Several years ago, they picked up residue on the cloth handle of my carry-on after a weekend of intensive shooting with a .22 rimfire. It was of no consequence, of course, but still, if traveling with guns, ammunition, or bags in which guns or ammunition have been stored or carried, be prepared to forthrightly explain that the residue is from sporting arms as Ghengis suggests.

I had a story about this from my warhead testing days out in the San Francisco area, but I have decided it might be too revealing. I don't know how to delete the post so I just modified it. Sorry for the teaser.

[This message has been edited by Harald (edited 02-07-2002).]

I dont fly anymore, I just won't put up with the hassle. I thought metal scanners were out of line, and excessive, now it's absurd!

[This message has been edited by GSF1200 (edited 02-07-2002).]

Thanks for the useful replies.

About a year ago we went through the OKC or Tulsa airport security. I was having problems because my glasses kept tripping the magnetic detector. I forgot I was wearing them, and while I may be absent minded, it took the security personel three passes before they spotted them!
Meanwhile my wife, who has yet to meet a stranger, had started talking to the old guy running the "sniffer" I walked up and he showed us what a wonderful device it was and how it could detect explosive residue for something like two weeks after exposure.
I had been reloading the day before and it never let out a peep, although I certainly wasn't stuffing powder into the cases by hand.
I hope and suspect that things are a lot tighter now.
Thanks again, Joe.