Powder 1 and 4 Identification Help

[Steve Koski]

I scrounged a bunch live rounds off the ground at IDPA nationals this year. I've measured, weighed, and pulled them now, but I don't recognize some of the powders.

I AM NOT GOING TO USE ANY OF THIS POWDER. I'm just curious what it is. I recognize about half of the powder used, but the other half is not familiar to me.

If you think you recognize one, please let me know.

Thanks,

Steve Koski



Powder 1 is a large light gray flake. It is not Unique. Unique is blacker (but the same size flake). What is it?
IDPA loads were:
.40 4.3 grains under a 180
9mm 3.3 grains under a 147
Powder 1 picture below.


Powder 4 is a copper colored flake, flakes are smaller than 1. A friend (hero) of mine says it is Universal Clays. Is that correct?
IDPA loads were:
9mm 4.5 to 4.8 grains under a 115
9mm 2.9 -3.1 grains under a 147
.40 4 grains under a 180
.45 5.8 grains under a 230
Powder 4 picture below.

 

[918v]

Powder 1 is IMR 700x.

Here is a photo I found on the Internet:

 

[918v]

I agree with your friend, powder 4 has to be universal clays.

 

[Steve Koski]

Dear Mr. v,

The picture of 700x has yellow marker flakes. My picture 1 doesn't have any such flakes.

Any other ideas?

Koski

 

[918v]

Perhaps the 700x you captured was from an older lot? Maybe the little yellow flakes ended up in the winning round?

 

[jlucke69]

Based on load data for the 9mm and the looks, I'd say the top is Universal (not Universal Clays.) I am using it for loading 9mm and 45 ACP now. Too much powder for 700X in that weight of bullet.Bottom looks like Universal Clays.

 

[ConcernedCitizen]

Dear Mr. v,

The picture of 700x has yellow marker flakes. My picture 1 doesn't have any such flakes.

Any other ideas?

Koski

Perhaps 800X?

 

[noylj]

Someone is going to trust "guess work" to ID an unknown powder? Why? Appearance changes and no body should ever ID a gun powder by eyeball.

 

[Shimitup]

Someone is going to trust "guess work" to ID an unknown powder? Why? Appearance changes and no body should ever ID a gun powder by eyeball.

My thoughts as well. Steve, I do hope you're just doing an exercise in ID'ing powder. Personally I won't use a powder unless it's from a canister that was purchased and opened by me.

 

[Steve Koski]

Believe me, I'm not going to use this powder, I'm just curious as to what it is. I'm not familiar with some of these and am hoping to tap into the larger knowledge base here.

Do you recognize any of these? Any guesses?

 

[Brian Williams]

The only good use for unknown powders is as ferterlizer.

 

[Ky Larry]

Steve, you have the right idea about not reusing this powder.Without a few college degrees and access to a lab, there's no telling what it is. It could be something that's not readily available to the American public. Make your lawn look good.

 

[steve4102]

#1= Promo?

 

[poco loco]

powder 1 looks like 800x but the charge is 2 tenths light for 9mm and Hodgdon only shows 800x for 200g and up in the 40.

Still my first look said 800x and it sure looks right after grabbing a can.

 

[zxcvbob]

I think the first one is Promo, but it could be American Select.

The yellow flakes might be Rex.