Old Pyrodex disposal

King Medallion · January 09, 2019, 04:42:07 PM

So I'm about to load up some 45/70 and 45/75 with real black powder. I haven't played with BP in years, and then just with pyrodex. Well, opened up my bp measurer and it's half full of some kind of pyrodex, don't remember which kind, I have several. the question is, what is the best way to dispose of it?

Bunk · January 09, 2019, 04:51:39 PM

I just spread 2 # of it on the ground and am waiting for a rain. Unfortunately I doubt it will make fertilizer for the grass.
Don't ask where it came from because I am NOT a fan of that corrosive stuff.
Bunk

Abilene · January 09, 2019, 05:12:11 PM

People used to give me Pyrodex, like when it was a door prize and they didn't want it. Been a number of years, but I always just shot it up in CAS shotgun loads, sxs shotguns being really easy to clean. Other than that, I'd agree on fertilizer

Coffinmaker · January 09, 2019, 06:34:11 PM

Hi King M. I'm not going to pick on ya (too much). You see, Pyrodex is NOT Black Powder. It just happens to have black dye in it. Pyrodex is a rusting agent that just happens to BURN.

Ah yes. The quandary. DISPOSAL.

First, don't shoot the stuff in anything you value. Unless you really want to watch it corrode before your very eyes. My most educated recommendation is to distribute it equally over a Garden. Or a Lawn. Don't get it on concrete. It will leave rust stains. It's most value is that of a fertilizer. NOT however, recommended for House Plants. Bad JuJu that.

hellgate · January 09, 2019, 09:31:38 PM

CAS shotgun loads. That's where all my junk powder ends up or else I lay it out on some rock slabs or bricks in long trails to a large pile and light it off at night. It's fun to watch the trail of fire hissing its way to the big WHOOSH!

Lefty Dude · January 10, 2019, 01:56:01 PM

I agree with Abilene , load it in shot gun shells and let it rip. I called Hodgdon the maker several years ago. I had a one pounder I bought in the mid-80's. I wanted to know if would still be good, they said Yep, should be fine. Every shell went bang !!!!

Bunk · January 10, 2019, 02:33:46 PM

70% chance of rain tomorrow and I just foune another pound to dump.
Pyrodex BE GONE!!
Bunk

bear tooth billy · January 10, 2019, 06:46:38 PM

I was given 25 lbs of old Dupont blasting powder, used to split fence posts years ago.
While on the fire dept we watched the fireworks at ground zero, and learned how to make
a non-exploding impressive fireball. Get a steel 5 gal bucket, drill a small hole in the side
at the bottom, put in 12" of fuse 6" inside 6"outside, and cover it with your old powder.
Wait till dark and light, get back 50 feet and enjoy the fireball and the mushroom cloud.

Billy

Capt Quirk · January 11, 2019, 09:51:50 PM

Famous last words- "Hey y'all, watch this!"

Abilene · January 11, 2019, 11:04:46 PM

Quote from: Capt Quirk on January 11, 2019, 09:51:50 PM
Famous last words- "Hey y'all, watch this!"

You left out the first part "Hold my beer"

Major 2 · January 12, 2019, 04:30:43 AM

"....enjoy the fireball and the mushroom cloud. "

famous last words ....

Bunk · January 12, 2019, 08:06:03 AM

Well we got the rain and the Pukeodex is washed away. Unfortunately on our match day and the range and road is a mire of mud.
So we stay loaded and ready for next month.
Don't misunderstand, as a rancher I never complain about rain, but it could have come on a more convenient day.
I will have enough rain when an old guy with a long beard wearing a robe comes to my door looking for gopher wood, pitch and a couple of my cows.
Bunk

King Medallion · January 12, 2019, 04:15:54 PM

The neighbors yard shall be well fertilized.