Rust in powder can

[Jodykid]

Hi, Guys. I tried search but no joy.

What I have is some old steel powder cans from IMR and DuPont that are almost full and I want to use the powder. The problem is the inside of the cans have large rust spots in places and when I poured the powder out to check it there was some powdered rust in the can bottom.

If I load some ammo with this powder will the vaporised rust coat the inside of my barrel and damage it?? Can I somehow clean this powdered rust off the powder without damaging the deterrent coating and still use the powder?

I hate to waste almost four pounds of powder but a few bucks worth of old powder isn't worth ruining a couple of barrels. I can always use it for fertilizer in the back yard.

Whadya say??

Joe

[kmca]

The stuff you see in the powder may not be rust. That's what powder looks like when it's breaking down. How does it smell? Anyway, I probably wouldn't use it.

[gunboat]

Rust dust in small amount is probably not an issue, BUUUUt, as kmca pointed out be sure it is rust and not the powder breaking down -- 4831/4895 and similar powders are prone to that problem --
Actual rust spots on can are not an issue.

[Francis Marion]

If that is in fact rust from the can, you could might remove it by pouring the powder slowly into a large catch pan from a few feet up; place an air blower or fan to push the light particles out of the powder stream, catch the powder in the pan.

Whether or not the remaining powder is safe is another matter.

[sammy]

Pour the powder in a plastic container and run a magnet through it? Should catch the rust if that is what it is.

[GUNNTZ]

^^^^exactly^^^^

A magnet will catch any metallic particles, then put into a plastic container.

[BigBronco]

Sounds like fertilizer to me. I would not use it.

[bruceflinch]

Pour the powder in a plastic container and run a magnet through it? Should catch the rust if that is what it is.

You so smart, Big Boy!

[Voo]

Gun powder is by far the cheapest component when it comes to reloading when you look at retail pricing for all items involved..

Why even risk the trouble of sifting, getting a magnet, damaging your gun, or running inconsistent ammo?

[bumpo628]

Honest questions here, not being snarky:

If the powder is breaking down, what is the worst that could happen? Incomplete or inconsistent combustion?
If the magnet trick works and the above is the worst that could happen, then what is the harm in loading up a bunch of plinkers?

[Jodykid]

Hi, Guys. The powders in question are 4198, 4895, 4064 and 4350. I have a new bottle of 4350 I bought last year in the plastic bottle and it looks and smells identical to the old 4350. The powder kernels don't appear to be deteriorated. They aren't orange or anything odd.

I'll have to try the magnet trick tonight but I'll be honest and say I'm leaning more toward fertilizer.

Joe