This question may push the limits on this forum but I'm almost positive it has to do with powder--please bear with me!!
I have bought spent bullets from the bullet traps of three indoor ranges to render out the lead for resale. These ranges are all similar in that they catch ALL of the residue from each shot, depositing it into a sealed collection bucket behind the steel plates (baffles-?).
I get the lead, jackets, wads, sabots and other residue from the discharge of the cartridges/shells. It's the 'other residue' that I'm concerned about. It's dark grey, about the consistency of cornmeal, non-magnetic, unaffected by the heat of the melting process, very heavy (about 35 lbs./gal.) and very dusty/dirty, like powdered graphite or lead. This residue comprises about 10% of my purchased weight.
So---my question is: WHAT IS THIS STUFF??? The reason of importance is twofold-1. Is there a scrap or recycling value? 2. If not, is there a detrimental factor regarding disposal of this stuff? Why do I care?-1. Profit-this is how I finance my gun hobby! and 2. While I'm not a tree hugging fanatic, I do care about recycling and reasonable preservation of the environment.
Thanks for your indulgence and thoughts, Steve