Misfires after wet cleaning brass. Reuse powder?

[stringnut]

I am no chemist, but, as has been pointed out water is a solvent. If the deterrent coating is affected the results could be disastrous. This could significantly increase the burn rate. May end up similar to using way to fast of a powder. I'm sure most have seen pictures of what occurs when that happens.

I only know one person who had a gun blow. Didn't know him well and the cause was never determined for sure. It was the last round out of some fresh handloads. He got to retire at age 49. Lost vision in one eye and severely damaged the other. Two fingers missing on the left hand. Missed seeing his youngest graduate, never hunted with his grandchildren, can't read or watch tv, can only fish if someone goes with him. Sounds like the last 20 years have been just wonderful for him.

I personally do not take any chances with reloading. The choice is yours

 

[JDeere]

No way I would ever reuse it especially in a hunting round. I think I would be little po'ed if I missed a nice buck trying to save a few pennies...

 

[mdi]

Personally I don't think powder that has been exposed to moisture will have it's burn characteristics changed much, and certainly not cause a KABOOM! (the powder in question wasn't sloshed around in gallons of water, just a bit dampened inside a not completely dry case). I don't normally throw away components unless I know they are bad and there's a lot of "sometimes a guy's just gotta know" involved here. Surely if one feared an ultra rapid disassembly of their firearm they would not even come close to reloading that component. At least, and for my info and education only, I'd use some of the powder in a few rounds after it is completely dry...

As I see it, it really don't matter either way, toss it or try it I see not "danger" but I knew a guy once the was afraid to reload anything...

 

[Hondo 60]

I originally voted to not use it.
But after reading rcmodel's missive, I change my mind.
I defer to his knowledge.

Dry it & use it with confidence.

 

[kmw1954]

Slightly different perspective. Exactly how much is 5/10gr of pistol powder worth? Pennies?

Yesterday I was out rendering down a bunch of range scrap bullets for the lead. What I had in front of me was a little over 100lbs that I collected Free from the range berm where I now work part time. So the cost of this lead is basically my time and work effort and there is more lead available in this berm than I will ever recover.

While I was out working on this pile of reclaimed future bullets I was being very careful to not waste any of this precious metal because until I started this job lead for me was hard to come by. After a couple hours it finally struck me, "Why an I wasting my time trying to recover drops when I have pounds to still do"? What I was trying to save wouldn't have even filled a shot glass!

 

[Ernie Bass]

Sounds like the last time I bought a box of WWB. My last.

 

[entropy]

Water and cartridges generally do not mix well. I use a vibratory cleaner with crushed walnut. (Zilla Desert Blend lizard bedding) I also make sure the cases are dry before I load. (usually not a problem, it's often months between case prep and loading for me.)