Is all IMR powder extruded
 

Seems like a simple question but a perusal of all my load data books, google searches and handgunner magazine and I can't find the answer to -

Is all IMR powder extruded?

No-some of it is flake. To my knowledge all IMR powders are singlebase(Nitrocellulose only)

The simple answer is "yes".

IMR stands for "Improved Military Rifle" as that was the intended use for single base nitrocelluose gunpowders. The various burning rates are achieved by granule diameter, length, single or multiple perforations, and deterrent coatings to control burning rate by determining surface area and "ignitability".

A couple of them use finely cut flakes, but they also started as extruded powders. These faster powders were developed for shotgun use. IMR 4756 comes to mind.

This is one of the interesting areas of smokeless powder development. The europeans developed small arms propellants by going to rolled sheet-type powders and relying on chopping up the granules into regular shapes. American propellants started off as extruded rod shapes with perforations, and then chopped up into lengths to control burning rate.

Both methods rely on granuale size to control burning rate. My guess is that the American extrusion method was copied from the traditional British method of making Cordite. With the proliferation of small arms ammo making technology, both methods are used worldwide.

Technically Mr. Traveler is correct-the IMR Flakes are chopped extrusions..... but most loaders think of extruded as sticks, flakes as flakes and ball as tiny balls.

Sir, IMR 4895, 4064, and 4350 are all extruded stick-type powders, as opposed to ball powder such as Win 748. I don't have any experience loading the other IMR powders.

BTW, Varget, H4895, and VV N540 are also stick powders.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

IMR is a brand. While it does stand for something there are other powders in their line. The "SR" series for example. SR4756 (one of my favorites), SR7625, SR4759 are considered flake powders. Trail Boss, PB, 700x and 800x are all flake powders according to their website. They are extruded flake, but flake nonetheless.

Thanks for the replies. I did a stupid thing the other day. I was loading 45-70 with IMR 4198. When I got done I had screwed up a couple of rounds so I pulled the bullet and poured the powder back into the can. The I remembered I had another few damaged rounds so I pulled the bullet on one and poured the power into the can. I have used IMR 4198 for a long time and while pulling the bullet on the second round I suddenly remembered once upon a time I used to use IMR 4064. So I'm thinking I dumped about 50~55 grains of 4064 into about 1/2 lb of 4198. It looked the same - thus my question about are they all extruded. Guess I better dump the can.

Beemer,

All canister grade powders are blended from different lots to acheive very specific characteristics. Even if there are 55 gr of 4064 that is only 1.5% if the ratio is what you indicate. Mix it up good and use it, the difference in performance will not be noticeable.

Adding a slow burning powdr to a faster burning one does not create a safety issue, adding a faster burning one to a slower powder does, or can, depending on how much there was.

To answer your first question, all IMR brand powders are extruded. All powders manufactured by the current IMR Company are not. The brand IMR has existed for over 100 years through several manufacturers.

It is the same as Bullseye. It has always been Bullseye whether manufactured by Laflin & Rand, Hercules or Alliant. Bullseye is the brand, The listed companies were/are the manufacturers.

You are correct. If the powder was extruded then cut into flakes, it is a flake powder. I would venture that all falke powders are made that way.

Uh, yeah!
 

When in doubt, dump it out! ;)

There is no reason to fret over 1/2lb of powder. Wondering if it is contaminated isn't worth it. Unless you are emotionally attached to that one can of powder, dump it and get another. It will be full and of the correct type. Then you can load 1/2lb of it and you will be right back where you started, 1/2lb can of powder with confidence! ;)

Yeah, it's about $10 worth of powder. Not worth it.

Generally I agree, however times being what they are I cannot find any IMR 4064 anywhere local. But, better to be cautious than sorry in things like this. Normally I don't even try to recover the power when I pull a bullet and this is what happens when I do.

Sharing your mistake may save somebody . Thanks . Once powder is out of the can , we are taught it never goes back in . Our mistakes should not be recycled .

When is the economy WORTH losing vital body parts?
 

I guess I don't understand. I understand you were trying to save some powder from pulled bullets. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. I do it from time to time. One thing though, all of my ammo boxes are clearly marked or, just on the case they were missed for some reason, those bullets don't get pulled, they get shot! :)

ONLYpull bullets when you KNOW the components involved, period. Don't guess. It isn't worth it. If you need $10 for the 1/2lb of powder you wasted on this episode, let us know, several of us will send you the money! ;)

It's just not worth it when you consider the possibilities for catastrophic accidents.

Think about it. Drive to another county, state if you have to, buy it on-line and pay the hazmat fee. Can those added costs bring back your finger/hand/eye/nose/ear/etc, etc? What about your shooting buddy or your wife that gets injured because you tried to save $10. Think about it, I implore you!