It isn't IMR 4895!

[Kirk]

I just opened a 8 lb jug of surplus IMR 4895 & poured some into a measure. It immediately started bridging; some cases 1/4 full & the next overflowed. I poured some out & saw there are at least 5 different powder types present and I'm not sure IMR 4895 is one of them. The granules are: big, black; big, bronze; big, reddish; small, black & small, bronze.

I bought two jugs of this powder at least two years ago & recently used the last of the first jug; it was definitely IMR 4895. This second jug is ??? I'm not sure who I brought it from I can not find either the receipt or shipping container. It had to be one of four sellers I order components from. If I can ID the seller, I'll ask him to exchange it. If I can't, any ideas what to do with the powder? The only one I can imagine is an 8 lb pyre on July 4. I once bought a 1 lb sack of Hodgdon 870 for 25¢ and it made a jet of flame 6' high one July 4. I imagine 8 lbs will do more. Unfortunately, this cost a bit more than 25¢/lb.

Anyone else have this problem?

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[Edward Horton]

Kirk

I retired after working for over 38 years at a military overhaul and supply depot, I spent the last 25 years at this depot as a Inspector.

I would NEVER buy any surplus ammunition or powder for the simple reason the ammunition and powder failed testing. If you look further you will see the Dupont IMR powder line is now owned by General Dynamics a gigantic industrial-military complex with money and the bottom line as their main interest.

Remember it was sold off as surplus because it FAILED testing which almost always effects the burn rate. The powder/ammunition must pass tests at approximately -30, 70 and 125 degrees. Think of it this way, the military got rid of this powder because it was no good and they didn't want it any more.

I'm a cheap bastard but when it comes to powder I'll spend a little more money and get new powder and be assured of consistency, uniformity and burn rate between the cans/lot numbers I buy.

Happy Fourth of July, burn the powder, the government should have burned the powder to prevent it being sold off as surplus. The sad part is the company got paid twice for the same powder and didn't have to pay to dispose of it under EPA regulations.

[jmoore]

If you have a garden, it makes fairly good fertilizer. Don't know if I'd put it in w/ the veggies, though.

[Kirk]

Nope - it won't become fertilizer. I'd get much more satisfaction from the caloric content than it's chemical content!