Benchmark Powder Smell

[Lee Q. Loader]

I finally got around to getting ready to load some rounds with a new 8 lb bottle of Benchmark that I bought just before the panic. Maybe 18 months ago.

This powder smells like no other powder I've ever used. It's a very strong hard to explain smell. The best description I can come up with is that it's a chemical smell. It's so new that I don't think it could be bad already.

Just caught me off guard when I opened the bottle so I thought I'd ask around if this is your experience with Benchmark.

 

[rsrocket1]

Typically if the smell is like alcohol, acetone or ether, it is probably good. If it is an acidic odor and lets off a red dust, it's probably bad.

 

[Skeptic13]

Varget has a very strong and distinct odor as well. Even when I open a ammo can that has rounds loaded with Varget I can detect that odor. I kind of like it.

 

[twarr1]

Benchmark has the same composition as Varget, H4895, H4227, H4350 and some other single base propellants. They contain dinitrotoluene instead of centralites so they smell ‘different’
I usually suggest load up a few and check the velocities. If they’re all over the map, that’s a good sign the powder is bad. That’s assuming you don’t have the red fumes. If that’s the case, *don’t* try it out; it’s deteriorated to the point it’s dangerous.

 

[edwardware]

Maybe 18 months ago.

Provided it's not years older than that, it's practically new. It should be your reference for "good."

Go get a gentle (carefully) whiff of cleaning ammonia. That's bad, and there's no mistaking it.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

Thanks everyone,
I'm sure the powder is good to go.