What to know about Tannerite?

[Steel Horse Rider]

Use either flat point or round nose bullet to get maximum effect from hydraulic (liquid filled) containers. In my experience from shooting full generic soda cans and water filled milk jugs is that a pointed high velocity round like a FMJ .223 simply pass through without creating enough of a shock wave to get the desired response.

 

[tark]

A lot of states have outlawed it. Shockingly, Illinois has not. I blow up a lot of the stuff. My advice: If you think you're far enough back...back up some more. I learned my lesson by detonating a pound too close to my house. The overpressure wave cracked one of my kitchen windows. The more humid the air, the stronger the overpressure wave will be and the further it will travel. If you want to see just how dangerous this stuff can be, even with no hard objects nearby, try this. Find a nice, dense patch of weeds and put some tannerite in the middle of it. Be sure to leave a clear path for the bullet. Watch what happens to that patch of weeds when you detonate the Tannerite.

If you are filming the action you may be disappointed at the sound recording . That wonderful "BOOM" is usually filtered out and moderated to a more muted "boom" All cell phones seem to do this and I suspect digital cameras as well.

 

[CapnMac]

State laws varies on loose Tannerite versus the pre-made target style "pucks." The laws also vary on if the jurisdiction changes by putting the material in a containe meant to go "boom" (in some places that's an "unregulated explosive device" typically with legal prohibitions galore.

Now, for the various gourds, another alternative beyond simple liquids is humble Jello. Which has the additional virtue of being inexpensive.

 

[Mark_Mark]

A lot of states have outlawed it. Shockingly, Illinois has not. I blow up a lot of the stuff. My advice: If you think you're far enough back...back up some more. I learned my lesson by detonating a pound too close to my house. The overpressure wave cracked one of my kitchen windows. The more humid the air, the stronger the overpressure wave will be. If you want to see just how dangerous this stuff can be, even with no hard objects nearby, try this. Find a nice, dense patch of weeds and put some tannerite in the middle of it. Be sure to leave a clear path for the bullet. Watch what happens to that patch of weeds when you detonate the Tannerite.

If you are filming the action you may be disappointed at the sound recording . That wonderful "BOOM" is usually filtered out and moderated to a more muted "boom" All cell phones seem to do this and I suspect digital cameras as well.

you can’t get a sense of the BOOM unless you have been there in person. We did 2 pound in a Country Neighborhood, buddy has 30 acres outside of Charlotte, city slickers kinda developed the area. Anyway, the explosion was so stong, it set off car alarms in the development across the way

Tanaright is NO JOKE! Don’t Mess Around and Find Out!

 

[Mark_Mark]

State laws varies on loose Tannerite versus the pre-made target style "pucks." The laws also vary on if the jurisdiction changes by putting the material in a containe meant to go "boom" (in some places that's an "unregulated explosive device" typically with legal prohibitions galore.

Now, for the various gourds, another alternative beyond simple liquids is humble Jello. Which has the additional virtue of being inexpensive.

Ooooh yeah…. again… FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS! don’t put in container and have the AFT looking for your dog

 

[rsrocket1]

 

[reedman]

I had my first experience with it this summer. I heard a huge explosion--windows shook. I went out our front door and expected to see a plume of smoke where one of our neighbors houses had blown up. But no smoke anywhere. A few minutes later, another explosion. I called the sheriff, who called me back. He explained that the sheriff in the adjoining county had identified a resident who just was shooting Tannerite in a field. That was about 1.5 miles away. Sure got my attention.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

For the last few years we have used tanneritte to blow up stuffed animals and dolls on the 4th of July. I set up and shoot from 75 yards.
It's fun (and a little messy), but that way you don't have much to worry about with shrapnel.
My friends have video recorded a few of them.
The first year I had a basketball sized plushie version of the Death Star.
THAT was a fun video...

 

[N555]

I've never used it or been interested in it, but I need to spice up my YT videos and thought shooting a pumpkin with enough tannerite in it to make it go boom would be fun. I've seen videos where morons put a large amount in something metal and ended up injuring themselves and others. There was also a bad forest fire in my area started a couple of years ago by yahoos shooting tannerite in bone dry woods in the middle of summer.

I just want to blow up some pumpkins.

I shot a bunch of pumpkins last weekend with my M1 Garand and it was less than spectacular. I was thinking of trying other food items to shoot that would be more exciting when I thought of using tannerite.

I would be shooting at 50yds, using a large caliber rifle, in an open pasture, in the rain. No chance of fire and no chance of injury.

What amount should I use and how far away can I set the camera without damaging it?

If you don't know about tannerite, then maybe you know of a fruit or vegetable that violently explodes when hit with a rifle round. Cows use the pasture, so something biodegradable would be ideal.

Nope you need an explosives license to be allowed to profit off the use of explosives, even just making a utub video.

 

[dogtown tom]

Nope you need an explosives license to be allowed to profit off the use of explosives, even just making a utub video.

ATF addresses Binary Explosives

Binary explosives are pre-packaged products consisting of two separate components, usually an oxidizer like ammonium nitrate and a fuel such as aluminum or another metal. These components typically are not listed separately on the List of Explosive Materials and do not meet the definition of "Explosives" in 27 CFR 555.11. ATF does not generally regulate the sale and distribution of these component chemicals, even when sold together in binary "kits." However, when the binary components are combined, the resulting mixture is an explosive material subject to ATF regulatory requirements found in 27 CFR, Part 555 - Commerce in Explosives.

Storage
All mixed binary explosives must be stored in an explosives storage magazine as prescribed in the regulations found in 27 CFR, Part 555, Subpart K-Storage, unless they are in the process of manufacture, being physically handled in the operating process, being used or being transported to a place of storage or use.

License or Permit Requirements
Mixing binary components together constitutes manufacturing explosives. Individuals or companies must obtain a federal explosives manufacturers license if they intend to engage in the business of manufacturing explosives for sale or distribution, or for their own business use (e.g., mixing for demonstration or testing purposes). Persons manufacturing explosives for their own personal, non-business use only (e.g., personal target practice) are not required to have a federal explosives license or permit under 27 CFR, Part 555. However, a federal explosives license or permit is required to receive or transport mixed binary explosives, such as transporting mixed exploding targets to a shooting range. Persons prohibited under 27 CFR Part 555.26 from possessing explosive materials may not possess mixed binary explosives such as exploding targets or flash powder.

A pretty good argument could be made that the person or business videoing the demonstration isn't necessarily the same person that bought/mixed/ignited that binary explosive. I think ATF is on thin ice here.

If someone buys a container of Tannerite at Academy and that afternoon videos themselves shooting it and then posts that video on YouTube and it gets a billion views. Good luck convincing the USAO to take that case.

 

[N555]

ATF addresses Binary Explosives

A pretty good argument could be made that the person or business videoing the demonstration isn't necessarily the same person that bought/mixed/ignited that binary explosive. I think ATF is on thin ice here.

If someone buys a container of Tannerite at Academy and that afternoon videos themselves shooting it and then posts that video on YouTube and it gets a billion views. Good luck convincing the USAO to take that case.

Excellent point

 

[dogtown tom]

Remember FPSRussia?

Supposedly the justification for the raid was "business use" of explosives.
ATF spokesman Richard Coes told the Banner-Herald: "The claim is that [Myers] was using explosives and getting paid for it via YouTube."

 

[Mk-211]

If anyone remembers the show Doomsday Preppers, it had a episode where they used it.

It was very impressive and when the dust cleared, there wasn't much left. Then the engine block hit the ground.

It was pretty amazing and I wish they never showed that. You can find all kinds of tannerite videos on YouTube now.

 

[DustyGmt]

I've never used it or been interested in it, but I need to spice up my YT videos and thought shooting a pumpkin with enough tannerite in it to make it go boom would be fun. I've seen videos where morons put a large amount in something metal and ended up injuring themselves and others. There was also a bad forest fire in my area started a couple of years ago by yahoos shooting tannerite in bone dry woods in the middle of summer.

I just want to blow up some pumpkins.

I shot a bunch of pumpkins last weekend with my M1 Garand and it was less than spectacular. I was thinking of trying other food items to shoot that would be more exciting when I thought of using tannerite.

I would be shooting at 50yds, using a large caliber rifle, in an open pasture, in the rain. No chance of fire and no chance of injury.

What amount should I use and how far away can I set the camera without damaging it?

If you don't know about tannerite, then maybe you know of a fruit or vegetable that violently explodes when hit with a rifle round. Cows use the pasture, so something biodegradable would be ideal.

Wouldn't it be kind of funny to take a group of buddies or family out to shoot pumpkins, say maybe a dozen or so pumpkins and have one that nobody knows about packed with 10lbs of tannerite and orange powder/glitter and get the reaction on vid.

I never messed with the stuff besides once or twice, shot a pound or two of it with a Savage .17HMR. I love the .17HMR, almost wish I had it in me to go around shooting critters but they don't bother me, crops or pets so I don't really have a need for one. Anyways, the one lb tannerite packs aren't any kind of high octane spectacular event, but I see why people like to fool with it.

I have a buddy who likes to ruffle feathers, COP lives a few doors down from him on a rural stretch of road and after all the drama the COP got more of a chuckle out of it than anything but apparently my "friend" was shooting on his private property much to their dissatisfaction and he would also occasionally set off a few lbs of tannerite, in a safe, albeit obnoxious manner I suppose. Well, the NJ neighbors thought it was highly inappropriate, if not illegal and they lodged several complaints. My buddy, he's really a funny guy who means no harm but in any case, somehow got ahold of some mannequins from an OOB department store, adult and child mannequins and 25lbs, no actually 50lbs of tannerite. They were all in the hot tub hosting a bunch of yuppity city folk when the parts came flying up over the horizon. They didn't have a sense of humor about it.

It sounds counter productive and obnoxious but if you knew the guy, you would laugh. He got such a kick out of it too. On the other hand, somebody near me set off at least 50lbs of it and I have a few neighbors that seem convinced it was me and say that their windows almost broke and shook the house but I actually haven't set any off in many years and when I did, it was a small amount that wasn't any louder than a 12ga.

 

[jmorris]

Wouldn't it be kind of funny to take a group of buddies or family out to shoot pumpkins, say maybe a dozen or so pumpkins and have one packed with 10lbs of tannerite and orange powder/glitter and get the reaction on vid.

Yeah, it’s kind of like putting a 3” slug in a savage 24 and handing it to a buddy that thinks you just put in another .22 LR In the top barrel but you flipped the switch.

A great way to make sure they don’t trust you any longer….

 

[DustyGmt]

Yeah, it’s kind of like putting a 3” slug in a savage 24 and handing it to a buddy that thinks you just put in another .22 LR In the top barrel but you flipped the switch.

A great way to make sure they don’t trust you any longer….

Ouch, did you do that?

 

[jmorris]

Ouch, did you do that?

Nope but I have seen it. I think the shooter inadvertently did it to himself but I don’t think the reaction would have been much different.

 

[roscoe]

There are plenty of videos on YouTube of people getting injured or nearly so with Tannerite. If M80s were legal today, you would have videos of people being dumb and getting hurt.

Fun and dangerous pastimes will inevitably take a toll on the careless. I used to touch off M80s and now use Tannerite. So far I still have all fingers.

 

[DustyGmt]

Nope but I have seen it. I think the shooter inadvertently did it to himself but I don’t think the reaction would have been much different.

My mom dated a guy I didn't like when I was a teenager. He was from Miami Florida, city guy. I was shooting in our neighbors back field and he came to see what was going on. He tried to put off the impression that he was no stranger to guns and I asked him if he wanted to shoot one. I put a 3" Express 12ga slug in the tube and he proceeded to shoot with the stock hovering a good 2-3" away from his shoulder.

I saw what he was doing. He didn't want to shoot with me anymore.

 

[Mark_Mark]

My mom dated a guy I didn't like when I was a teenager. He was from Miami Florida, city guy. I was shooting in our neighbors back field and he came to see what was going on. He tried to put off the impression that he was no stranger to guns and I asked him if he wanted to shoot one. I put a 3" Express 12ga slug in the tube and he proceeded to shoot with the stock hovering a good 2-3" away from his shoulder.

I saw what he was doing. He didn't want to shoot with me anymore.

protecting your mama is important… your daddy would have been proud!

 

[Pat Riot]

I have mixed feelings about Tannerite. I guess it depends on who is using it and how. Because of goons with no manners, morals, or brains I have seen three public range areas closed to shooting.
These guys and or maybe gals, used Tannerite to blow up appliances, old computers, old TVs, etc and they just left the debris lay. Not once but numerous times in each case and the folks in charge shut down the public range area.
At one shooting area in Oregon the dipsticks submerged Tannerite in 5 gallon buckets of drywall patch / spackling and some other type of grout or resin that dried like concrete exposed to air and blew them up. There was white and gray hardened crap all over the place.
Here in WV the public range was closed nearby for yahoos blowing up appliances and furniture using Tannerite and then just leaving that mess. Also, the people in a small unincorporated town near this range really didn’t mind the noise of the shooting at this public range, but they really hated the explosions from Tannerite.

Please, If you’re going to use Tannerite think about others when doing so and clean up your mess if you’re on public lands.

 

[Charlie98]

I have seen three public range areas closed to shooting.

You don't need Tannerite to have that. Where I shoot in NV, on public land, they drag all manner of trash out to shoot and blow up. Water heaters, TV's and computers, toilets, appliances, furniture... heck, they even brought a jetski out once. They come out about every 4 months and Bobcat all the trash off to the side, and then about once a year they recover all of it and take it to the dump. Sad but true. I'm waiting to go out there one day and see it closed off... but that won't stop them, either, they will just go over to the AZ side and go find a place to trash up.

Oddly enough, the one thing you won't find out there is spent brass...

 

[Mk-211]

Yep, no Tannerite needed.

Seen plenty of areas closed because, I just had to drag my trash out and shoot it.

When I camp out in the desert, the fire pit becomes the burn pit. If it can't be burnt up, pack it out.

 

[Gordon]

I don't want to degrade Native Americans as I have that DNA in a a small amount also and look a little like one and have great respect for them. However the first time I saw Tannerite was in the desert of Az. outside Havasu and near mines ect. We took our jeeps there from a friends home who lived in Havasu and knew that area of the desert well and "wanted to surprise us". The desert was littered with refrigerators and TVs and old vehicles and rubbish around the boundaries of the reservation in the desert. We were miles from any habitation and he stopped about 150 yards from an old refrigerator that had been shot a few times already and he brought about a 1/2 gallon milk carton full of some secret powder down to the older reefer and as it wouldnt open stuffed it under the drain pan and box. He had me fire my 5.56 AR (this was in the later 90s) with a big target 6-24 scope at it and on the 2nd shot the reefer dissappeared in a black cloud and about 20 secnods later the compressor landed 50 feet in front of us with a big thump ! Our wives said "No more !" .
He did fire off another pound (the first was three pounds I think) in an old mine shaft using a fuse lit blasting cap he had "found" in an old mine . We were once again treated to a huge swarm of bats streaming out of the mine that scared the lades. Anyway that was the first time I saw Tannerite and was shocked you could walk into a gunstore in AZ and buy large quantities. I eventually bought 25 pounds directly from Tannerite and shot it up in a party in the hills behind Gunsite in Paulden15 years a ago; I was the "bartender" and shook the powders together and put in pint plastic bottles. Tannerite actually is pretty good about not starting fires, the gases produced do not support ignition. However the totally illegal addition of certain hydrocarbons turn it into a dangerous and illegal high explosive and the BATFE is well aware of this .

 

[CapnMac]

The number of folk talking about pounds (as in 0.45KG) of tannerite are giving my eye a twitch.

The recommended safe distance for 110grams (just shy of a quarter pound, four mere avoirdupois ounces) is 100 meters.

The oxidizer in Tannerite is ammonium nitrate dosed with ammonium perclorate, the "fuel" being a flakes aluminum dosed with zirconium compounds (typically). It's step-brother to AMFO, not exactly equal, but not kicked out of the house, either.

We live in a highly over-legislated and under-regulated society. You are pretty much able to so what ever you want wit hthe separated components of the binary. But, once combined, there are all sorts of persnickety regulations that apply.