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.

427442754276

[Mr. X]

I'd dump it. Reddish powder probably indicates decomposition -- some of the stuff may be bad and perhaps somebody mixed it together to sell it. Personally, I've never bought pulldown powder because you're totally dependent on God-knows-who handled it, labeled it and packaged it. I've found that if you shop around the prices for new manufacture powder are not all that more than for surplus. Last year at Perry I bought an #8 of 4064 for $125. My local FFL just sold me one for $139.

What's pulldown going for these days (if you can find it?) $100-$120 for an 8#??

[Sunray]

Wouldn't count on a refund or exchange 2 years later and you can't tell anything about a powder by just looking at it, but the granules should be roughly the same size. Wouldn't hurt to try and exchange it though. Mind you, with surplus you get what you pay for.
"...jet of flame 6' high..." Got a column of fire 10 feet plus high out of a near full can of Bullseye, I think it was. You may want to consider spreading it on your lawn instead of burning 8 lbs., all at once.

[joem]

I had 8 + pounds of very old powder from some pull down 1937 vintage 8mm ammo. I bought it for the projectiles. Made a fire plume about 25 to 35 feet high and HOT. I have another 7 or 8 pounds og bad powderto light off some night soon.:evil6:

[Sunray]

"...25 to 35 feet high..." You torched 8 lbs? Geezuz! Not U.S. powders either. You do know that having too much fun is illegal in most places? snicker.

[Bt Doctur]

sprinkle it on your lawn as fertilizer

[carym2a]

Lawns love it !

[Kirk]

This powder won't become fertilizer! I value the caloric content much more!