A Black Powder Question

rodmkr

Temecula California
I have a number of cans (all the same Mfgr and lot no)so is it safe to pour them all together
into an empty smokeless 8 pound container?
Only asking as it will free up some room in my powder storage.

rodmkr
 

Ian

Notorious member
I would worry about static electricity unless your container is steel or cardboard and steel.

EDIT: I got to thinking some more and remembered the last batch of gunpowder I bought was from Graf's and came in plastic bottles. Just looked and sure enough, HDPE. So I guess it will be fine, I just think of how smokeless powder kernels will stick to the sides of the plastic and just grabbing a bottle will often raise the hair on my arm.
 
Last edited:

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Ian's comment sent me to the chemical resources to find out about this before I commented.

"Black powder contains free carbon in the charcoal and is coated with graphite, another form of free carbon. This makes it conductive and able to carry a small current with out heating to the point of ignition. One of the points of the graphite is to reduce the static discharge hazard."

However, large quantities in one container carry more risk than many small containers. When I was young, a long time ago, DuPont sold black in metal one pounders, but anything over four was in a wooden keg. But I don't know why, it just may have been in there for 50 years or more.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
heh.
they used to sell powder in lead containers that were soldered shut with tin.

anyhow.
the last few lbs. of black powder I bought, come in plastic containers.
 

Tomme boy

Well-Known Member
The last two lbs of Diamondback I got were still in metal cans. I don't remember when that was. I would have to look at the can for a dat e I bought them.
 

L Ross

Well-Known Member
All of my Swiss comes in plastic. There was a video put out a few years back where I guy was trying to ignite black with a static discharge and could not. Conclusion, not enough heat generated.
 

rodmkr

Temecula California
Tommy Boy,
The BP I have is Diamond Back and is in tin cans.
I bought it several years ago from Crater Fireworks.
They do not even handle Diamond Back anymore.
I used a lot of it when I shot BPCR but have pretty much stopped as have no partner that shoots BP
any more so need to get a more secure storage for the powder a it is in tin cans.
 

rodmkr

Temecula California
I figured it was not made anymore as Crater told me it was a popular powder.
Worked well for me so is reason I have a lot of it.

rodmkr