Bonanza Gun Powder? Please help.

[toolmanroberts]

I recently purchased my uncles reloading supplies since he no longer uses them because of his health. Among some of the gun powder was some Bonanza rifle powder #4831. I can find no reference to it in any of my reloading manuals. It was sold by Bonanza Sports Inc., Route 4, Faribault, Minnesota. Does anybody have any info on this powder? I suppose it is possible that it is another manufacturers powder that is just relabled.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If the powder can is open there's no way of being sure the powder matches the label. I would never use any powder that I personally know for sure it's real identification. I highly suggest using open can of powder as grass fertilizer. Even if that powder is IMR4831 there's no way of knowing that for sure. Loading with 4831 data with a faster powder will be a disaster.

 

[MrOldLude]

As they told you on TheFirearmsForum yesterday, dump it.

 

[ljnowell]

If you cant find load data, dump it, your fingers, eyes, and life are worth more. If the can is opened, dump it, you cant verify what it is. Powder is much cheaper than hospital bills or death.

 

[rcmodel]

I suppose it is possible that it is another manufacturers powder that is just relabled.

It's not only possible, it is a fact Bonanza Sports never made any powder.

It is very likely repacked military surplus stuff. Tons of it were sold by various companies years ago. Hodgon got started in business selling surplus powder after WWII.

But who knows for sure what it is?
In the grand scheme of things, it's not worth the risk of trying to use something you can't get tested load data for.

rc

 

[FROGO207]

When it comes to cheap I am the original item. When unknowns are in the mix even I will err on the side of caution and make use of some high caliber fertilizer. It appears that no one on this and other forums is able to help you find any meaningful data. I would have tried also. Is it worth the possible damage? Not to me thanks. Still I think the empty container would be a collectors item for someone out there that collects such things. You might still have a winner yet.

 

[GIJOEL]

stupid question, would powder be a good fertilizer? I have a spot of grass that just won't grow in nice and thick.

 

[ljnowell]

Powder is a very good fertilizer, give it a shot

 

[rfwobbly]

I have a spot of grass that just won't grow in nice and thick.

Google: "lawn fairy rings"