Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Shooting Traditional Firearms and Weapons => General Interest => Topic started by: Swamppanther on February 01, 2020, 11:46:25 AM

Title: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Swamppanther on February 01, 2020, 11:46:25 AM
Just reading Manual for my Indian Trade Gun (General Info from Pedersoli ) and saw this warning. . .


"Black powder SHOULD NEVER BE STORED IN A PLASTIC CONTAINER, which could build a static
electricity charge. In case, make sure they are made of anti-static material. Keep the container
away from heat sources."

The only Black Powder I got is Goex and as far as I know they got rid of the metal cans many moon ago!
I assume their "Plastic" is static proof? Any comments?

COUNT DOWN TO TURKEY SEASON HAS STARTED!!! :)

 
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Ohio Joe on February 01, 2020, 12:08:39 PM
Just reading Manual for my Indian Trade Gun (General Info from Pedersoli ) and saw this warning. . .


"Black powder SHOULD NEVER BE STORED IN A PLASTIC CONTAINER, which could build a static
electricity charge. In case, make sure they are made of anti-static material. Keep the container
away from heat sources."

The only Black Powder I got is Goex and as far as I know they got rid of the metal cans many moon ago!
I assume their "Plastic" is static proof? Any comments?

COUNT DOWN TO TURKEY SEASON HAS STARTED!!! :)

I also buy Goex, and I don't like the idea they switched to the plastic container - but my guess is their containers would be static proof... However, never being one to take chances on something like this - I've kept my empty Goex cans and when I have to get into a plastic Goex container I transfer all the powder to an old can.

Now, with all this said, keep your powder stored in a cool place where static electricity can't build up - 'cause you can also get static electricity off a metal can as well, if you don't.  :shake
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Spotted Bull on February 01, 2020, 01:00:47 PM
Also, modern black powder has a very thin coating on it, which prevents to some extent the static electricity from causing ignition of the actual powder. However, the static charge could very well ignite the fine dusty powder that is present.
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Ohio Joe on February 01, 2020, 01:49:25 PM
Also, modern black powder has a very thin coating on it, which prevents to some extent the static electricity from causing ignition of the actual powder. However, the static charge could very well ignite the fine dusty powder that is present.

Bull, I'm thinking that many years back, someone did a test on trying to ignite black powder with static electricity and it wouldn't ignite... I don't recall if they ever tested a fine BP dust? For some reason I'm thinking they didn't?
Title: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Spotted Bull on February 01, 2020, 02:30:58 PM
I don't recall any tests specifically on the dust. I've read of several instances of it happening. Most of them were pretty bad results.
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Hank in WV on February 01, 2020, 05:52:57 PM
I've wondered in the past why BP dust wouldn't ignite, but coal dust will.
Title: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Spotted Bull on February 01, 2020, 07:04:20 PM
BP dust will ignite, which more often than not causes the BP itself to ignite. The static won't ignite the "main charge" but the dust exploding will.
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Hank in WV on February 01, 2020, 10:01:53 PM
 :bl th up
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Hawken on February 02, 2020, 06:05:05 AM
Life is DANGEROUS!

Beer will kill ya....if ya drink enough of it! :Doh! :*:
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Ohio Joe on February 02, 2020, 07:02:20 AM
I read yesterday where it's claimed it takes 800+ degrees to ignite black powder and a static electricity charge comes nowhere near that...

Bottom line,,, been handling black powder for over 40+ years and have never had an incident... Like all of us here, I attribute that to respecting what we're handling.  :shake
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Meanwhile on February 03, 2020, 10:18:42 PM
So a question, as I ram and seat a prb in a rifle I've wondered if powder could go off from tamping with the ramrod. 

Has it ever happened?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Spotted Bull on February 03, 2020, 11:37:36 PM
as a class explosive, the black powder need some type of ignition source, like the fulminate of mercury going off, or the spark from a flintlock. As far as my research has told me, I've never heard of a BP rifle going off from compacting the powder with a ram rod.

The only ignition I have seen, personally, from such an action was when a spark was still present in the barrel and the powder being poured down the barrel ignited and caused the shooter some degree of pain and agony. His measure had the attached funnel which he left in the barrel. As he reached for it, the charge ignited and the measure took his little finger off.
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Meanwhile on February 03, 2020, 11:40:29 PM
Ouch.

I routinely run a dry patch before my next shot and am probably being overly cautious, until I heard that story!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Spotted Bull on February 03, 2020, 11:47:27 PM
It's a good, safe practice. And one I use every time. I know I'm not going to get it clean with one wipe, but bbn it will keep me from blowing up.

I never understood why someone would put the rifle in their mouth and blow down the barrel. Same principle there...unburned powder in the barrel meets a hot spark AND you are adding oxygen to the flame. I'm ugly enough with all of my face, I don't need to lose any!
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: rollingb on February 04, 2020, 02:54:01 AM
It's a good, safe practice. And one I use every time. I know I'm not going to get it clean with one wipe, but bbn it will keep me from blowing up.

I never understood why someone would put the rifle in their mouth and blow down the barrel. Same principle there...unburned powder in the barrel meets a hot spark AND you are adding oxygen to the flame. I'm ugly enough with all of my face, I don't need to lose any!

The quickest explanation I can give you is,.... it was a traditionally accepted practice for hundreds of years, and for some of us it still is.  :) :bl th up

Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Ohio Joe on February 04, 2020, 07:57:38 AM
Blowing down the barrel was an excepted practice for hundreds of years. :shake

If you really want to practice safety - run a "damp" patch between shots, not a dry patch.

As far as blowing down the barrel, (which I still do - as that's what you were suppose to do when I got into this sport/hobby) and the way I see it is; I don't know how anyone could possibly mistake their muzzle loading firearm being fired off once they pull the trigger? If they can not tell this - IMHO, this is not the shooting sport for them.
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Spotted Bull on February 04, 2020, 08:01:49 AM
You are exactly right about the damp patch Joe. I didn't read that part, or something. I use a damp patch.
Title: Re: Plastic container for black powder
Post by: Nessmuk on February 04, 2020, 12:31:43 PM
Getting back to the original question , GOEX and others use ESD (Electro static Discharge) plastic  for their  containers. So  as long as you don't  change it to your wife's  Tupperware ,you'll  be safe from  explosion s AND your wife's  ire.