Trent Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Hi there, A friend's grandfather died, and since my friend knew I had a license, he gave me his old shell-reloading kit for safe keeping. I don't plan on reloading shells myself yet, but part of what I was given was an old unlabelled bottle of the explosive powder. Since I have no idea how old it is and there's only about two teaspoons of powder left in the bottle anyway, I want to render it safe for disposal, and was wondering what is the best way to do this. I was thinking of just filling the bottle with water, which would mean there would be about 50 parts water to one part explosive powder - would this render most kinds of powder inert? Many Thanks, Trent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJN Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 put a match to it in an open space , it'll go puff with a lot of smoke. M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 sprinkle it on the garden . Its a good fertilizer . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostWomble Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 A method I read (although maybe on a US website) was to take it outside dig a shallow hole, add the powder and burn it of (using a fuse of paper or something so not to get singed). As it is not compressed it should not explode and it will leave little residue which can be covered over in the hole. Alternatively and probably far more sensible is to hand it in at the local nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shuck. Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Depends what kind of powder it is mate, if it's black powder I wouldn't think its a good idea to hand into the nick as you'd be in possession of an unlicensed explosive? - Don't know how it works. If its the little paper squares or the little nitro powder circles in newer carts then do whatever you want - give them to a cert holder if they reload, use it for starting a bonfire - just make sure there's a lot of air around it and it's not contained (I wouldn't want to put it in a dug out pit for fear of burning me fingers off As Harnser said; if you want to douse it all out with water then spread it over the garden thats a good idea. Be warned if it dried out and become live again, it could possibly start a fire if its all in close proximity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Put it in a line and put a match to it but you may be disapointed at the outcome , puffffffffffffffft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Put it in a line and put a match to it but you may be disapointed at the outcome , puffffffffffffffft Unless it is black powder and then you might be impressed, I wouldn't do any of the above. If it is unlabeled it could be anything, pour some oil into it and dipose of it at your local landfill site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Give it to the Police and let them get all of a tiz over it :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanl50 Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Just do as"Magman" says in a line and burn it, safest way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trent Posted August 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 (edited) OK, I did it this morning on the patio - in a thin line using a long splint... hardly even made a hiss or any smoke, just a nice bright flame. Thanks again. Edited August 25, 2009 by Trent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJN Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 (edited) OMG I can't beleive you did that ! anything could have happen, you might have blown the street up :-) (tongue firmly in cheek) Edited August 25, 2009 by MGMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 FYO Smokeless powder is not rendered harmless by putting in water. Also it is NOT a fertiliser and will NOT degrade. It is only 'destroyed' by fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rem223 Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 Also it is NOT a fertiliser and will NOT degrade Smokeless powder is stabilised by diphenylamine. It will degrade with time as it is inherently unstable. Diphenylamine reacts with nitric and nitrous acid which are breakdown products of nitrocellulose. Both acids react with water and are excellent fertilizers. However setting light to it is a much quicker way to dispose of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 (edited) Smokeless powder is stabilised by diphenylamine. It will degrade with time as it is inherently unstable. Diphenylamine reacts with nitric and nitrous acid which are breakdown products of nitrocellulose. Both acids react with water and are excellent fertilizers. However setting light to it is a much quicker way to dispose of it. I have Vectan powders three inches down in my lawn turf as a result of winnowing powder/shot some 18 years ago. It's still there and there isn't even a colour change in the flake - and it burns! Nitrocellulose was buried in the marshes of southern England and was as potent as new when dug up 40 years later. Edited August 27, 2009 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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