White powder

[LibShooter]

I have some Remington Express 12 gauge 2 3/4" #4 Buckshot shells that are leaking white powder from the crimped end. If you shake them it looks like salt from a shaker. These shells have been stored indoors for 12 to 24 months outside their boxes in a drawer.

Any idea what this stuff is? Should I toss out these shells, shoot them soon or stop thinking about it?

Thanks for any information.

 

[villemur]

That is the buffer - tiny plastic beads that cushion the pellets from each other as they travel down the barrel. They are fine to shoot - stop thinking about it.

 

[rcmodel]

Get a candle and put a drop of melted wax over the holes so the buffer stops leaking out.

It's good to have it stay in there.

rc

 

[paducahrider]

Lighted candle???

Howdy!
I fully understand that a careful worker will PROBABLY be safe, using the
"melted candle wax" method, but I would shy away from telling EVERYONE that it's ok to do it.
There are safer ways to accomplish the same goal.
Cellophane tape, applied across the end, will work.
Beeswax can be softened in the hand and applied to the opening.
There are probably a hundred other ways that would work equally well or better without resorting to open flames adjacent to live ammunition.
Thanks for your time.

 

[rcmodel]

Good grief!

If a person can't use a lighted candle to put a drop of hot wax on the crimp of a shotgun shell without hurting themselves?

They probably shouldn't be allowed around shotgun shells, or shotguns.

There is nothing dangerous about the business end of a leaking crimp, or the non-flammable buffer leaking from it!

rc

 

[chas08]

If a person can't use a lighted candle to put a drop of hot wax on the crimp of a shotgun shell without hurting themselves?

They probably shouldn't be allowed around shotgun shells, or shotguns.

Now that's funny right there.... A drop of super glue will work too if you don't trust yourself with fire...

 

[MachIVshooter]

If a person can't use a lighted candle to put a drop of hot wax on the crimp of a shotgun shell without hurting themselves?

They probably shouldn't be allowed around shotgun shells, or shotguns.

There is nothing dangerous about the business end of a leaking crimp, or the non-flammable buffer leaking from it!

Gotta agree. I use .357 brass with pieces of thin carboard to homeroll snakeshot (which I use for pigeons in the barn). Powder, cardboard, #8 pellets, another peice of the cardboard, crimp a bit, and then use wax to seal it all up. Never gave a second thought to it being dangerous. Melted wax just ain't that hot, and I've never had fire go down unless using a torch.

Annealing loaded rounds, OTOH, would be a bad idea

 

[LibShooter]

Thanks for the info. I'm ashamed to say that I thought the white stuff may have been lead oxide from corroding shot! I sure like the real diagnosis better.

I've got some sealing wax I can stick on the end.

Thanks.

 

[oneounceload]

totally agree RC - there are WAY TOO MANY folks who actually think gun powder is an explosive (it isn't) and have NO clue what is involved in reloading. I use wax, scotch tape, or whatever is handy if I get a bad crimp that is leaking pellets.........it really isn't that big of a deal

 

[Virginian]

But, but..... suppose it's anthrax !?

 

[Al LaVodka]

LOL
I can't decide what's the best part of this thread yet -- keep it going!
Al

 

[ReloaderFred]

If they were Winchester shells, the white stuff would be called Super Grex, but since they're Remington, it's just plain shotshell buffer, which is really just the same type of plastic the hulls are made from, only shredded into a fine granulation and no color added.

Hope this helps.

Fred

PS: Thanks for the laugh, RC..........

 

[JimKirk]

Don't snort the white stuff and you'll be ok to use the candle!

Jimmy K

 

[paducahrider]

Using lighted candles around ammunition to melt material onto live ammunition.

Howdy!
Guys, I fully expected to get slammed by many folks for advising against using flames around live ammo.
As I said, a careful worker will probably be safe, but there are lots of folks watching these threads who are honestly unaware of what the word "careful" truly means, when it comes to firearms and ammunition.
I have never read any respectable publication that has advocated such a proximity of fire and ammunition and I seriously doubt if I ever will, in this day of instant lawsuits. Every one I ever read went to great lengths teaching the exact opposite, and for very practical reasons.
By the way, the difference between the melting point of candle wax and "sealing wax" is a few hundred degrees;sealing wax is readily ignited with a candle; and can still be burning after falling several feet. I used lots of the stuff as a furniture repairman, and it required real care not to set things on fire with it.
I know the difference between buffer, gunpowder and lead oxides, but the original poster didn't, and others are even more unaware of proper safety techniques without being confused into doing something potentially extremely dangerous.
It's just not a good idea to promote this sort of activity, even if you've lived through the process a hundred times.
Put yourself in the shoes of an instructor who is held responsible for what he teaches and you will recognize the liability of such actions.
Thanks for your time.

 

[oneounceload]

Sorry Paducah - maybe we need to remove all the warning labels and let nature take its course then. Really, if someone is THAT stupid and uninformed, then they need to be educated by reading or pain - got no use for stupid folks and guns.................

 

[paducahrider]

"educated by reading or pain"

Howdy!
I suggest the reading option, and it will tell you not to do what you suggested.
Thanks for your time.

 

[Virginian]

Give Darwin a chance ! The life you lose may save your tax dollars.

 

[Dimis]

Paducah i hate to jump on ya with the rest but RC has been and will continue to be an absolute expert here at THR and he is a wealth of knowledge
alot of us look up to him and have grown to understand his advise SANS warnings

here at THR most of us have enough common sense to know fire and ammo dont go together but were not talking about holding the flame to the shell its a small amout of melted wax on the top of a crimp with buffer shot a shotcup and any wads in between the hot wax and a combustable (its not an explosive) not to mention a good deal of air between the flame and top of the shell

i also agree with the darwin factor if your really dumb enough to go all splody then you probably deserve it

RC is an experienced reloader and wouldnt turn any of us in the wrong direction his advice is sound

as for the PC "Oh my God think of the children" warning lableing worry warts i say let nature take its course we need less stupid in the world

we tend to run off all the "idiots" from here because immiturity and dangerous behaviour isnt tolerated at all here they tend to find other sites that allow that kind of thing

just my 2 cents

 

[ThomasT]

If you are still afraid of the fire you can use hot glue from a hot glue gun. I have done this for years and still have all 7 of my fingers.

 

[LibShooter]

Everyone can relax! The wax didn't cost me any fingers or put any extra holes in my head.

Whew!

I used one of those candles inside a little shot glass and poured a little bit of wax on the crimp.

 

[paducahrider]

Who's Right and Who's Wrong?

Howdy!
To Dimis:
I don't mind taking the heat from all of those who see nothing wrong with iinstructing neophytes to use fire around ammunition.
You can call me an "idiot" if you wish, but I'll tell you that I was never called a "worry wart" during all my years of working with and supervising lots of guys in potentially dangerous situations. However, I can also tell you that I was thanked, several times, for saving toes, fingers and eyes. That's a legacy I can live with, but what you and others are proposing is frankly a bit irresponsible
As I said in my original post: "I fully understand that a careful worker will probably be safe, using the melted wax method, but I would shy away from telling EVERYONE that it's ok to do it".
Fundamentally, you are putting youself in the position of being an expert who is giving instructions to the uninitiated on potentially dangerous situations. You can't assume that everyone has the same level of knowledge as you do, as you dole out advice, and you should try to protect those who don't. That's just common decency.
You claim that RC is an "absulute expert" and that could be true, although that's a pretty strong statement. But even experts makes mistakes, and I believe he made one when he made the recommendation about using open flames around ammunition.
Many safety instructions are done to condition us to eliminate the chance of accidents happening. Treating every weapon as if it's loaded is one example, and keeping flames away from ammo is another.
You state that "most of us here at THR have enough common sense", but by that very statement, you admit that SOME here at THR DON"T have enough common sense. Many people who ask questions expect well thought out answers which don't unnecessarilly put them into potentially dangerous situations they can't foresee, due to their lack of experience.
Someone claimed that warning labels should be removed and the "stupid and uninformed" should either learn by "reading or pain".
Thats so childish I would have been ashamed to have written it. That person is condemning the uninformed for being uninformed and trying to become informed. If those uninformed were to follow his advice, and read any published manuals on safety around ammunition, they would be told NOT TO HAVE OPEN FLAMES AROUND THE AREA WHERE THE AMMO WAS LOCATED.
You, and all the rest, can pooh pooh my statements all you want, but you're just WRONG to continue defending a bad idea, and if you don't think it is a bad idea then it's you who are the uninformed who need to be doin' the reading.
If you wish to continue down this path, I'll continue to defend it. But guys; YOU AIN"T OCCUPYING THE HIGH GROUND HERE!!!
Thanks for your time.

 

[inSight-NEO]

I have some Remington Express 12 gauge 2 3/4" #4 Buckshot shells that are leaking white powder from the crimped end. If you shake them it looks like salt from a shaker. These shells have been stored indoors for 12 to 24 months outside their boxes in a drawer.

The remedy has been offered. My only question is, is something like this considered a relatively "normal" occurrence or simply an occasional thing, due to ammo deficiency, storage methods, etc.? BTW- This is a "general audience" question.

 

[ReloaderFred]

inSight-NEO,

The department I retired from used both the Remington and Winchester 00 buck loads for our shotguns. During my 26 years with that department we used both the 9 pellet and 12 pellet loads in the 2 3/4" shells. They all leaked shot buffer after a period of time due to rough handling. Each shotgun was loaded and unloaded several times a day, since the practice was to remove the gun from the car at the end of the shift and unload it. It was then placed in the shotgun locker and when it was picked up for the next shift, it was again loaded and placed in the car, etc. This was done 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The constant loading and unloading of the shells would eventually break the crimp and the buffer would leak. When that happened, those shells were put in a bin to be used for practice on the range.

The bottom line is they will leak buffer. The star crimp is sealed at the factory with a hot iron in the middle of the star crimp, which melts the plastic together at that point. The plastic eventually breaks loose and that causes the leakage.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[paducahrider]

"those that nag me about my unsafe practices"

Howdy!
To Dimmit:
There is a vast difference between an individual, like you, putting his life at risk, for his own reasons, and telling others that they should be doing the same thing.
So far as learning from the past is concerned: when some mistakes are made, there is no way of recovering from them, since your ticket has been punched and you're GONE. There is no progress to be gained by that person who made such a mistake, but only by those who witnessed it. It's then up to responsible individuals to pass that information along, so others can be spared the same fate of prior, unwitting, victims. That's why there are libraries full of recorded knowlege.
You have no way of knowing who I am defending, but your comments lead me to believe you are a danger from whom others need defence.
I am as opposed to unnecessary lawsuits as you are, and probably more than you are, but argueing against well established safety guidelines goes beyond common sense and into the realm of common foolishness.
The more you rant, the less reason is exhibited within your remarks.
The method you propose is for everyone to invent the wheel all over again, making all the same mistakes, large and small, painful, fatal, or otherwise, that were made from the beginning of time.
The lack of compassion you show for your fellow man is astounding and I am honestly sorry for you.
You are promoting risk where none is necessary.
THAT is just not very smart.
I wish good luck to you, because your'e gonna need it.
I also wish good luck on those who must work around you, 'cause they're gonna need it also.
Thanks for your time.

 

[ForumSurfer]

If a person can't use a lighted candle to put a drop of hot wax on the crimp of a shotgun shell without hurting themselves?


They probably shouldn't be allowed around shotgun shells, or shotguns.

That was funny. I mean no disrespect to paducahrider, but I have to support RC's statement.

I've burnt myself with a hot glue gun or soldering iron WAY more times than with a candle or open flame.

I used one of those candles inside a little shot glass and poured a little bit of wax on the crimp.

Obviously you've never been asked to pick those up by name from the girlfriend/wife/whatever you have. They're "tea light" candles. The girlfriend asked me to pick some up while I was out once and I looked all over that store for tea scented candles.