What the heck happened

[No Powder]

Thanks for your comments Dennis. I was going to use it, but your comments and comments from others have me convinced that I should trash this stuff. And as Kees said, I don't want to destroy a new pot. I wish I were more educated about metals, so I would know what I'm throwing in the pot. Maybe learning about metals might be one trick this old dog can't learn.

[No Powder]

I'm back again. Hoping to learn more. I've been reading about artist pencils that are used for testing the hardness of lead. In fact another member here has said he's sending me a set that he said he no longer uses. Has anyone else had any experience using these pencils ? My friend is sending instructions too. I just have visions of me pushing too hard and snapping the lead in the pencils. 40 yrs. ago, when I first got into this hobby, I never expected to be using pencils in my muzzleloading at all.