4895 Going Bad ??

[smokemjoe]

I got a gallon jug of IMR surplus 4895 about 8 years ago, Got 3 lbs. left in it. I loaded up 200 rds. for my M1 Garand. Today I shot the last 20 rds. that I loaded last winter. 19 rds. okey. 45 grs. and a surplus 147 gr. bullets. One didnt go off and I figured I didnt put powder in it, I pulled it and there was powder, but about 1/2 of it was a different color balck like it was charded. Whats happening. Thanks

[Larry Gibson]

I'll assume it's cold in Iowa. That along with the 45 gr load which is fairly low loading density in'06 case. Powder was probably all at the front of the case and not enough pressure built up or not enough flame reached the powder. Unless the powder has a reddish rust color and smells funny I doubt it was the powder. Could have just been a weak primer. I'd load the powder and use a few more gr. I use 48.5 gr of 4895 with the 147-150 gr bullets.

Larry Gibson

[DLCTEX]

My guess would be that something contaminated that one round. Oil on the base of the bullet, something foreign in a case, moisture creeped in past the bullet. How does the remaining powder look or smell. If it's ok, then one round problem.

[smokemjoe]

I took a tablespoon outside out of the jug and what was in the shell, stuck a match into it fast and both fired right up.

[runfiverun]

did you check the primer hole?
sounds lke weak ignition.

[dale2242]

Sounds to me like a bad primer---dale

[ra_balke]

Powder that has deteriorated, turnes red, and looks like dusty rust mixted with the powder.
The new mfg powders seem really suscptable to this.

[35remington]

"The new mfg powders seem really suscptable to this."

If they are, something is seriously, seriously wrong. Powder of newer manufacture is probably the most stable powder we've ever had. New manufacture powder, correctly stated, should be less susceptible to this.

[buck1]

I'll assume it's cold in Iowa. That along with the 45 gr load which is fairly low loading density in'06 case. Powder was probably all at the front of the case and not enough pressure built up or not enough flame reached the powder. Unless the powder has a reddish rust color and smells funny I doubt it was the powder. Could have just been a weak primer. I'd load the powder and use a few more gr. I use 48.5 gr of 4895 with the 147-150 gr bullets.

Larry Gibson

I am leaning this way as well..

[Boerrancher]

I tend to lean toward a bad ignition, be it what Larry said, or just a bad primer in general. Like the others stated if it doesn't look like it has rust mixed with it, the powder is fine, keep using it. I am still shooting powder that my father bought back in the late 50's or early 60's. It has been kept cool, dry, and out of the light and looks and works just as well as it did the day Dad opened the Keg.

Best wishes from the Boer Ranch,

Joe