Gun Powder for Fertilizer??

[skipper]

Just wanting to know, have you ever heard of, or tried, using gun powder for your flowerbeds? I have a surplus of powders that I want to get rid of. I heard from somewhere in the past that you could spread it on your flowerbeds. As shooters we all have powder that has reached its expiration date. Besides throwing it away, what would you do??

[Rick in Oregon]

Rarely have I ever had to toss powder, but it's been used for fertilizer as you mention for decades. Never have heard any negatives regarding this practice. If stored properly in a temperature controlled environment, it will last for many years if stored in the original container. H3ll, I'm still using some lots of the stuff saved from the early 80's and it still goes "BANG!" upon ignition.

So dump and spread away with confidence!

[Jim White]

I've heard tell of people doing it but I have never tried it myself. You can always spread it out & strike a match to it but be careful if you do.

[skipper]

You can always spread it out & strike a match to it but be careful if you do.

Temptations, temptations. Jim, you trying to get me into trouble?

[Rick in Oregon]

You can always spread it out & strike a match to it but be careful if you do.

Temptations, temptations. Jim, you trying to get me into trouble?

Fear not. When the stuff is spread on the ground and lighted off, it just burns with a "whooosh!" for a brief period and goes dark. No big deal really.

I've heard of using it in the garden for many years. As mentioned above, I've never had to toss out old powder for any reason, so have not used it as a garden aid. But I'm still using some old H4831 from the early 70's in my M70 Winchester .270 with no ill effects. It's labeled with a warning:

"This is WWII surplus powder. Storage life is not guaranteed"

Now almost 80 years later, it still goes "BANG!" and anchors mule deer bucks every time. You can use it in the garden, light it off, or use it for what it was intended for......shoot it! (H4831 Surplus powder was used in the 20mm anti-aircraft gun during WWII.)

Of course my suggestions are predicated on the assumption that the powder has been kept in the original container and stored in a temperature controlled environment, which all mine certainly has been.

[Jim White]

Temptations, temptations. Jim, you trying to get me into trouble?

Well...in my case I had about 3lbs of W231. I bought it for 45 ACP Bullseye shooting but I found "Bullseye" powder worked better. Honestly, I tried giving this stuff away but I couldn't find anyone to take it. I held onto for some time and finally I got tired of moving it around and couldn't give it away so I decided to dispose of it once and for all.

I dumped it on the ground and it made a pile about 8" in diameter and 4" high at the peak. I lit a match and tossed it on the pile and after a 1/2 second delay and much to my surprise it made a roman candle about 12' high. I expected some activity but not quite that high. Since it was in a wide open space there was no issues but had it been a few feet in another direction it could have caught a tree on fire, possibly. I made a note to myself that if ever had to do that again dig a small trench with a how and spread it out on the ground.

As far as putting it on the lawn, I've heard that its a good fertilizer but have never tried it, especially this day in time in the conditions that we're in.

Be careful out there

[skipper]

I can't even imagine doing that in suburbia, where I live. The Cops and Fire Department would be all over the place in no time flat. However, 4th of July is right around the corner, that's when my community makes the place seem reminiscent of a "war zone". It might be worth a try then. If I could get it out in the middle of the lake right behind my house it might even be acceptable. I'll have to find a suitable raft or model boat to donate to the cause.

[Rick in Oregon]

If I could get it out in the middle of the lake right behind my house it might even be acceptable. I'll have to find a suitable raft or model boat to donate to the cause.

Ah yes....I can see it now.....a mini Viking funeral on your lake!

[skipper]

I really like this idea. Igniting the boat and powder with sparklers. I'm really getting pumped about the 4th of July! Thanks for the idea Rick!

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