Caked Pyrodex. Dump it?

Bindernut · 09-09-2010, 09:17 PM

I think I already know the answer to this question but I figured I'd ask anyway.

Got a bunch of reloading supplies from my brother in law a while back.
In the pile was a can of P Pyrodex. The old foil/paper can with rubber stopper...
There are a few clumps in the can where it's started to cake together. Most of it is still granulated though.
It's been so long since I've used Pyrodex I don't remember what it's supposed to smell like when fresh.

Is it worth messing with or should I just fertilize the lawn with it?

old semperfi · 09-10-2010, 03:11 PM

I RAN INTO THE SAME PROBLEM LAST YEAR WITH 777.I CHKED TO MAKE SURE HUMIDITY LEVEL WAS LOW AND REDUCED CLUMPS BACK TO POWDER.I LET IT DRY OUT FOR A DAY AND PUT IT BACK IN ANOTHER CONTAINER.I DO NOT HUNT WITH IT BUT,I USE IT FOR TARGET PRACTICE AND HAVE NOT HAD A FAILURE. OLD SEMPERFI

johnlives4christ · 09-10-2010, 04:37 PM

i know black powder can be dried out and used without a problem.

jack404 · 09-10-2010, 07:49 PM

if you have a plastic container with a tight fitting lid , some marbles and a couple of silica gel packets dump all the powder into the plastic container

add the marbles and silica gel packets and roll in the sun back and forth gently for a hour or so

this will bring it back

the sun's gentle heat with the rolling action and the marbles will release the moisture , the silica gel will catch this and VIOLA!! dry powder ( not too much or your'll make the granules into powder )

if it is still a but clumpy remove the silica gel packs and place in the sun to dry and replace and repeat as they only absorb so much .

good luck

cheers

Bindernut · 09-13-2010, 10:59 PM

Thanks for the idears.
I might try to salvage it with the dessicant pack and marbles trick.

I've never been a big Pyrodex fan...I think it stinks compared to BP...so I usually stick with Goex 3F for my cap-n-ball. But for the pricetag (free), I'll use it up if I can save it.

The main reason I grabbed it is because the can is in really nice shape. It'll be one to sit on the shelf.

armedandsafe · 09-15-2010, 01:39 PM

It makes great fertilizer. Roses, in particular, love it.

Pops

09-09-2010, 09:17 PM	#1
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,432	Caked Pyrodex. Dump it? I think I already know the answer to this question but I figured I'd ask anyway. Got a bunch of reloading supplies from my brother in law a while back. In the pile was a can of P Pyrodex. The old foil/paper can with rubber stopper... There are a few clumps in the can where it's started to cake together. Most of it is still granulated though. It's been so long since I've used Pyrodex I don't remember what it's supposed to smell like when fresh. Is it worth messing with or should I just fertilize the lawn with it? --> Last edited by Bindernut; 09-09-2010 at 09:18 PM..

09-10-2010, 03:11 PM	#2
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: Caked Pyrodex. Dump it? I RAN INTO THE SAME PROBLEM LAST YEAR WITH 777.I CHKED TO MAKE SURE HUMIDITY LEVEL WAS LOW AND REDUCED CLUMPS BACK TO POWDER.I LET IT DRY OUT FOR A DAY AND PUT IT BACK IN ANOTHER CONTAINER.I DO NOT HUNT WITH IT BUT,I USE IT FOR TARGET PRACTICE AND HAVE NOT HAD A FAILURE. OLD SEMPERFI

09-10-2010, 04:37 PM	#3
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Caked Pyrodex. Dump it? i know black powder can be dried out and used without a problem.

09-10-2010, 07:49 PM	#4
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: Caked Pyrodex. Dump it? if you have a plastic container with a tight fitting lid , some marbles and a couple of silica gel packets dump all the powder into the plastic container add the marbles and silica gel packets and roll in the sun back and forth gently for a hour or so this will bring it back the sun's gentle heat with the rolling action and the marbles will release the moisture , the silica gel will catch this and VIOLA!! dry powder ( not too much or your'll make the granules into powder ) if it is still a but clumpy remove the silica gel packs and place in the sun to dry and replace and repeat as they only absorb so much . good luck cheers

09-13-2010, 10:59 PM	#5
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,432	Re: Caked Pyrodex. Dump it? Thanks for the idears. I might try to salvage it with the dessicant pack and marbles trick. I've never been a big Pyrodex fan...I think it stinks compared to BP...so I usually stick with Goex 3F for my cap-n-ball. But for the pricetag (free), I'll use it up if I can save it. The main reason I grabbed it is because the can is in really nice shape. It'll be one to sit on the shelf. Last edited by Bindernut; 09-13-2010 at 11:00 PM..

09-15-2010, 01:39 PM	#6
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: Caked Pyrodex. Dump it? It makes great fertilizer. Roses, in particular, love it. Pops