Contaminated IMR 4064?

[RMerkel]

Howdy, I just opened a new 1lb can of IMR 4064, lot #1041112 2670, that appears to be contaminated with small flakes of power (see photo). Power was purchased a couple of weeks ago from Sportsmen's Warehouse in Rocklin, CA.

Question: are these flakes normal or contamination?

Contaminated IMR 4064.jpg

[EmmaGoldman]

That surely does not look right. Return it to the store, but also contact the manufacturer directly with this picture and the lot information.

[Southpaw45]

I just dumped a little out on some I have. Its of course a different lot but it looks like its all stick powder with "no" flakes. Was it sealed when you took the cap off?

[RMerkel]

SouthPaw45; yep, it was sealed. A brand new 1 lp plastic jar.

I've heard that lot #1041112 2669 (Folsom Shooting Club forum) has simular flakes, but of course that is second hand knowledge.

I just forwarded this to Hodgdon/IMR & CCed the manager of the Rocklin store to be sure. I'll update when I have more information.

[lpspinner]

Please keep us updated.

[Na-vah-duh]

Here is a picture of my Imr-4064. I don't see one flake.

[Southpaw45]

I wondering if those small flakes are the same powder as the sticks. Maybe they just got broken off or cut wrong in production.

[RMerkel]

I received the following email this morning:

Apparently the power is good. Sorry for the false alarm!

Randy

[FLIGHT762]

Sorry for the false alarm!

Randy

No false alarm. If I saw the flakes in the powder, it would set alarms off for me too. I've never seen flat, round flakes of powder, which looks like pistol powder in long extruded powder cans.

If they add it to even out burning rates from lot to lot, so be it. Good to know.

I'm sure IMR is going to get a few of these inquiries.

[lpspinner]

Exactly....with reloading, you don't want surprises...if something doesn't look or feel right, you should immediately question that.

I'm glad it worked out fine and it's good to know IMR is continually improving their products. (However, a little disclaimer/note on the label or their website would've been nice.)

[Pete1979]

I don't trust it, the flakes will not burn at the same rate as the extruded granules.

[wtkaiser]

But maybe it's the way they do burn that gives the proper overall burning rate. Keep that letter. Try the powder, like they say. If it works out, no harm, no foul. If things do go south (and I pray they don't), it will be worth it's weight in lawsuits.

[XDRoX]

Assuming its all the same powder it'll work fine. Back in the day people use to be forced to mix powders. Today's its not nessasary.

It was great of you to notice, I wouldn't have. And even better to post about it, and yet better to post their reply. They know what's up. It's safe to shoot.

[Southpaw45]

If they are going to change the look of the powder, then they should have put it on the liable for a "heads up"

[RMerkel]

Shot a few rounds of 6.5x55 loaded with 37.8g of this lot. No problems that I could detect, of course I didn't chronograph.