What to do with old Triple7 pellets?

[noelf2]

I had a hunch that I could use these older inconsistent T7 pellets for light 20 gauge loads somehow, but of course they are too thin to just drop in the shell. I found that 1/2" cpvc fits nicely in a plastic shell, and the T7 pellet would slide into that. I cut a small piece of cpvc to match the length of the pellet and it fit snugly down in a straight walled hull. Tapered hulls get too tight. Figured out a wad and shot column, and roll crimped the end. I used 7/8 oz of 7 1/2 shot, but will probably reduce that as this is slightly less than a 2 dram charge. I wonder how the cpvc will hold up?

 

[hawg]

I have no idea. With real black or Pyrodex I would expect the inside of the pcv to show signs of melting. I've never used T7 so have no idea what it will do. If it's not a really snug fit in the shell it may crack. Be safe when you fire it off. I'd do it remotely JIC.

 

[44 Dave]

Should be good for some kind of 4th of July fireworks.

 

[noelf2]

I have no idea. With real black or Pyrodex I would expect the inside of the pcv to show signs of melting. I've never used T7 so have no idea what it will do. If it's not a really snug fit in the shell it may crack. Be safe when you fire it off. I'd do it remotely JIC.

Oh yes, I plan to. And I'm shooting this in a modern 20 gauge break barrel shotgun.

50 cal T7 pellets drop right into a 50 cal barrel. They will drop into 1/2" cpvc just the same, and the cpvc is a snug fit in the 20ga shell.

You don't over compress T7 pellets. Just push your patched ball or sabot down to it without crushing it. They are also less problematic with slight air gaps (a.k.a. the myth). I just hope the cpvc stays put and doesn't melt.

 

[noelf2]

Should be good for some kind of 4th of July fireworks.

I was thinking that too! lol. I have been known to toss a T7 pellet into the bonfire for a lightshow. I could also replace the shot with something prettier.

 

[hawg]

I used to make aerial bombs made out of 20 gauge shells and fired out of a 12 gauge. No it wont blow up the barrel. I learned how from a DGW catalog back in the 70's. Turner Kirkland taught me how.

 

[damoc]

Good fertaliser for tomatoes.

 

[noelf2]

Good fertaliser for tomatoes.

Sure, but there has to be a more practical use for these expensive little pieces of fertilizer substitute, like drop in charges for 20 gauge shells for instance..?

 

[damoc]

It was just an idea I personally don't like tomatoes either but they are getting more expensive. If these T7 pills are not consistant I don't want to mess with them for any reloading. Just my opinion.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I put unknown powder in a bottle. When we have a fire hanging out in the bush. I dump some in a empty can. And throw it in the fire. It sounds like fire cracker.

 

[noelf2]

It was just an idea I personally don't like tomatoes either but they are getting more expensive. If these T7 pills are not consistant I don't want to mess with them for any reloading. Just my opinion.

They slowly lose power over time once the case has been opened. They work, but you have to re-sight in for accuracy in rifles. Just not worth it, so I only use loose T7 in my in-lines as it doesn't seem to degrade much, in my experience. Perfect consistency isn't required for close distance shotgun loads (good enough for govt work kind of thing). So while some wouldn't mess with it, I say waste not want not. The stuff I put on tomatoes is cheap at the outset, and won't work in my 20 gauge.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Why not crush the pellets and then load your 20 ga shell? Might be a lot simpler.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

Or crush it up and scatter it in the yard or driveway would be my choice.

 

[noelf2]

Why not crush the pellets and then load your 20 ga shell? Might be a lot simpler.

I thought about that also, but figured it would get max power as-is. No trouble really. Took me less than a minute to mark and cut the cpvc. If this works out, I'll cut a bunch. Probably take me longer to grind the pellets up. Good idea tho. Much better than the average garden variety (see what I did there?).

 

[4v50 Gary]

Fertilizer. Grind them up and sprinkle them in your vegetable garden this growing season. I think we're going to see a shortage of food.

 

[Jim Watson]

Triple 7 contains 30% potassium perchlorate.
Is that going to break down into potassium chloride in the soil? I would not be surprised.
Many fruits and vegetables are sensitive to chlorides and cannot be fertilized with cheap KCl.

 

[noelf2]

Well I took it to the woods and shot it at a box and I am not at all disappointed. 20 yard shot. There was a light but descent recoil. The shell ejected from by H&R 20 gauge break barrel with no problem, but the cpvc is gone. Came right out with the rest. So this could creat a possible bore obstruction for follow up shots. I may need to glue them in the shell. Good thing is the pattern was awesome. Even distribution of shot in about a 15" circle, and at least went through both sides of the box. Next one will have a bit less shot to see if the pattern suffers. I'm happy with this. Sod the tomatoes...



***EDIT: Went to clean the shotgun and found the cpvc stuck in the ramp at the end of the shell chamber of the barrel. It tapped out easy enough, but this is a serious bore obstruction issue. I couldn't see it from looking at either the breech or muzzle ends of the barrel. It is remarkably undamaged. No signs of burning or melting, just a bit discolored. If I can't keep the cpvc in the shell then this is a bust.

 

[hawg]

I am surprised it came out.

 

[noelf2]

I am surprised it came out.

It didn't. I added info above.

 

[woodnbow]

It didn't. I added info above.

Rtv that cpvc into the shell…

 

[TwistingInTheWind]

I've tried to use old powder for "just target shooting" (as opposed to hunting when I like my best odds.)
TBH when I pop a cap and get a hang fire, I'm so nervous about a time delayed smoldering boom that it is not worth it to me.
I hate that feeling.

I throw mine into the lake or bury them on a rainy day.
Makes me feel better knowing they were disposed of being saturated wet.

 

[noelf2]

I've tried to use old powder for "just target shooting" (as opposed to hunting when I like my best odds.)
TBH when I pop a cap and get a hang fire, I'm so nervous about a time delayed smoldering boom that it is not worth it to me.
I hate that feeling.

I throw mine into the lake or bury them on a rainy day.
Makes me feel better knowing they were disposed of being saturated wet.

Yes I do too, but old T7 pellets have no problem going bang with 209 primers. They just lose a little oomph over time. That's why I hate wasting them.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Bad smokeless powder (nitrocellulose base) is traditionally traditionally used as fertilizer.

Black powder is potassium nitrate (nitre), charcoal carbon, sulfur. Naturally found in soil.

Black powder substitutes are not black powder nor are they disposed of like black powder or smokeless powder.

Hodgdon triple se7en Disposal considerations say "Powder can be burned in very small quantities and in very thin layer and must only be ignited from a safe distance. *Do not disposed of powders downward drain or sewer."

https://hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/triple-seven-sds-sheet-2017.pdf

 

[Jim Watson]

Bad smokeless powder (nitrocellulose base) is traditionally traditionally used as fertilizer.

Only on the internet. I have not seen anything to say that nitrocellulose is nitrified into soluble form to be picked up by plants.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Search: how to dispose of old smokeless gunpowder

https://disposeitwell.com/how-to-dispose-of-gunpowder/
4. Use It as a Fertilizer
The smokeless powder can make you a good fertilizer. However, it should be used in a smaller amount to avoid damaging your plants. The smokeless powder features high nitrogen and phosphorus percentage that most plants need for growth. Using smokeless powder as fertilizer is an ecologically friendly method, and it’s recommended. When applying, ensure the weather is calm; when it’s blown in the air, it may be hazardous when you breathe it in.

https://howtodispose.info/dispose-gunpowder/
Smokeless powder
Use as Fertilizer
In smaller amounts, your smokeless gunpowder can actually be used as a rather effective fertilizer.
Gunpowder has high nitrogen content, which can be really good for your plant’s growth. An eco-friendly way of disposing of your gunpowder is by lightly dusting the soil of your plants with it.
Be sure not to add too much, though, as it can blow into the air you breath and become a health hazard.

I could not find a page on "how to dispose of smokeless powder" in French but I did find one in British English:

https://www.claygame.co.uk/powder-safety-information-35
This site does not mention fertilizer use. It has only one method of disposal described (the method I have used most):
The best way to dispose of deteriorated smokeless powder is to burn it out in the open at an isolated location in small shallow piles (not over 1" deep). The quantity burned in any one pile should never exceed one pound. Use an ignition train of slow burning combustible material so that the person may retreat to a safe distance before powder is ignited.