How do I safely dispose of a few pounds of gun powder?

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JLStorm

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I have 4 or 5 pounds of gun powder that I am not going to use. All of it is about 3 -4 years old and in their original containers, but most of it has been unsealed at one point or another. I am absolutely sure I will not use the powder, and I am moving so I want to cut down on unwanted materials. What is the best, safest, and legal way to dispose of the stuff?
 
Go with choice #1.
If you post where you live, someone will likely be happy to take it off your hands.

waste not, want not.
 
Give it away to another reloader. Most papers let you run adds free of charge as long as your listing an item for free. Another reloader will be happy to take the powder off your hands. If that wont work go for lawn fertilizer.

I could think of a fun way to dispose of it, but these forums would not condone such activities :evil: .
 
I usually burn unused power. It makes a big fireball that lasts a few seconds and then it's gone. Pretty. :)

Pour a 25-30ft trail of powder, then dump the rest into a pile at one end of the trail. Light the other end of the trail with a match and step back. Makes a nice little show on a dark, moonless night.
 
I would say if it has been properly stored give it away , if not then the way i have disposed of old powder , dynamite , ect .. is to soak it in used motor oil and then burn it , or dispose of it with the used oil . On the farm we burn it but i dont know regs in your area .
 
JL;

Just another idea. Soak it down with WD40 & then burn it. Less chance of wind scatter & it'll slow down the burn rate. If there is wind, or you just want to be a little more circumspect, burn it in an empty 55 gallon drum.

900F
 
here is what I have:

Alliant Powder 2400 - 3/4 full
Alliant Powder - Unique - almost completely full
Hodgdon H110 - factory sealed
Hodgdon HP - 38 Factory sealed

I also have some bullets .451 or .452 I really want to get rid of, I think they are mostly 300 Gr spear XTP and XTP mags...I have 400 or so that I REALLY dont want to move with....

Does powder go bad? Like I said its been sitting in my gun safe for 3 - 4 years!
 
If it's stored properly, I don't see why it would be bad. Put up a thread in the market section(link it from this thread for those interested) and see if anyone in your area responds.
 
JLStorm,

If you are near the upstate New York area (or are moving near) I will be glad to take it off your hands for a reasonable amount.

If not, and you don't want to accept an offer from another reloader, I would go along with the spread it on the lawn and water well.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire
 
Oh man!
Where are you located?
I can make good use of all that stuff.
Please don't destroy it. If you're within a cuppla hundred miles of me I'll come get it.
 
If these have been kept dry there should be no problem. Don't pour them on the lawn though...smokeless powders like these contain 40% nitroglycerin along with diphenylamine and some other tasty chemicals that are not water soluble. Black powder on the other hand is made from potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulfur and is water soluble. Find a new owner at the nearest gun shop.
 
here is what I have:

Alliant Powder 2400 - 3/4 full
Alliant Powder - Unique - almost completely full
Hodgdon H110 - factory sealed
Hodgdon HP - 38 Factory sealed

I also have some bullets .451 or .452 I really want to get rid of, I think they are mostly 300 Gr spear XTP and XTP mags...I have 400 or so that I REALLY dont want to move with....

Does powder go bad? Like I said its been sitting in my gun safe for 3 - 4 years!
Click to expand...

What area are you in???
How much of each?

I'll take it off your hands.


Alliant Powder 2400 - 3/4 full (Use in .357 Magnum, .44 magnum, .22 Hornet, .30 carbine)
Alliant Powder - Unique - almost completely full (Use in too many calibers to list)
Hodgdon H110 - factory sealed (Use in .357 magnum, .44 magnum)
Hodgdon HP - 38 Factory sealed (Use in ?????? )
 
I'll post a thread in the for sale section. I am going to probably put a bunch of primers, the bullets and the powder together all for sale around $60.00. There is easily over $100.00 of good unused factory sealed stuff there, I just want it out of my house so Im willing to let it go cheap, I didnt think of selling it before because I wasnt sure if powder had a shelf life. I'll post a link in this thread at the end of the week when I get back home to inventory everything. BTW, I live in south eastern Pennsylvania. Thanks for the help!
 
Step 1: Duct tape a butane torch onto the front of a Super Soaker water gun so that the flame will proturede in front of the nozzle.

Step 2: Fill the Super Soaker with concentrated windshield wiper fluid.

Step 3: Find a large empty field and dump gunpowder onto ground.

Step 4: Pump up Super Soaker.

Step 5: Light butane torch.

Step 6: Fire Super Soaker/"homemade flame thrower" at pile of gunpowder.

Step 7: Proceed to nearest emergency room for 3rd degree burn treatment among other possible injuries.

J/K DO NOT TRY THIS!
 
The "fertilizer" route is probably the best way to get rid of it. Don't forget, if you try to ship it to someone, you're going to have to pay a hefty HazMat fee. Last I heard, only FedEx would handle it -- USPS and UPS won't touch it.
 
If you are near SW Ohio. I will take it off your hands. My uncle reloads. He would be glad to have it.
 
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