The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Does anybody have any news on the proposed changes to ALL reloading powders to be implemented soon, as the US have concerns with carcinogens found in currently produced powders

It's not US changes that will affect us in the short-term, rather the EU 'Project REACH' which has been underway for some years and already denuded agri and gardening activities of effective insecticides, fungicides and herbicides by banning many traditional ingredients. REACH is currently doing the same things in rat and other pest poisons a retired DEFRA scientist told me last year. Sooner or later it will affect smallarms propellants and whether we are still in the EU or have left won't affect anything as the UK market to Alliant and Hodgdon say is an integral part of their European operations and isn't big enough to stand alone - assuming the UK decided not to ban anything affected anyway, which I'd think very unlikely. Eventually, all the western world will fall in line - that's why General Dynamics Canada which manufactures most IMR powders is steadily introducing new 'green' Enduron grades and will they will ultimately supplant the traditional grades such IMR-4895 and 4064 once the USA starts to follow other countries. I gather recent General Dynamics St. Marks Powder Co. ball powders (Winchester and Hodgdon ball based types), the former Olin Industries outfit that supplies 90-odd % of powders used in US military spec smallarms ammunition, is moving that way too with recent introductions, H. CFE223 and its bulk military and commercial ammo equivalents being 'green'.

European manufacturers have known of REACH likely requirements for some time of course and have been moving away from things that are likely to be banned at a later stage.

Thanks Laurie
I have just picked up some more powder and was told about the changes and i would have to work up new loads again.
@nd

Laurie wrote: ...why General Dynamics Canada which manufactures most IMR powders

Many of the IMR powders are actually made by EXPRO Chemical in Valleyfield Quebec. I suppose GD-OTS may have acquired EXPRO in the years since I have been out of Canada, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

DaveB wrote:

Laurie wrote: ...why General Dynamics Canada which manufactures most IMR powders

Many of the IMR powders are actually made by EXPRO Chemical in Valleyfield Quebec. I suppose GD-OTS may have acquired EXPRO in the years since I have been out of Canada, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Correct as to the location - but that is one of General Dynamics Corporation's-OTS Canada Energetics Division's four facilities in the country and it has owned this plant for some years now. Confusingly, the Hodgdon Powder Co. in its website based company profile gives the impression it manufactures IMR powders, but it actually owns the IMR name and distribution rights not the production facility.

http://www.primaryprofile.com/GD-OTS-Canada-Valleyfield

What about all the ADI powders made in Australia- sold by Hogdons as the Extreme range ..
Do you think these will be effected ?

Cheers

I think eventually any product coming into the UK will be affected by REACH. I recently had to sit through a one hour presentation on REACH and its impact on our Company. I wont bore you with the details but I probaly still have a copy of the presentation some were. Luckilly I dosed off and missed most of it. The free sarnies and coffee was Ok and helped me focus on the discussion after wards. The only question I had about the whole thing was how come there is never any pork pies and mustard at these events. With a bit of luck I wont get invited to any more.

The main one with powder is DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate) which is used as burn rate modifier and secondary stabiliser on ball powders.

Read the warnings on the SDS for your powder to see if it's affected. It is generally replaced with Centralite.