prometheus1970
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flash powder initiator
I've been toying lately with the idea of using about 25 grams of flash powder in a pvc casing to initiate an ammonium nitrate based exploding target.
I figure the targets generally require a projectile moving about 3000 fps(feet per second), whereas flash opwder detonjates @ just over 7200 feet per
second. Any thoughts?
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean everybody isn't out to get you.
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quicksilver
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Zirconium hydride and ammonium nitrate with a sweet kiss of aluminum powder makes up your commercial exploding target. Flash works as well for those
on a budget (& has a more productive use for zirconium salts) as an exploding target [in & of itself]. No need to initiate it. A .22 will get
fun results for a few grams of flash (albeit there's a fire danger w/ flash type compositions).
It's the impact and not the speed of the projectile that initiates such a novelty. A .45acp @ 800fps will pop your target just as well. What could be
interesting is to make the targets initiate such that they can be seen from a distance better than a simple hole in paper. This is where a saturated
solution of Sodium Chorate infused in paper would yield a larger area scorch mark, visible via a spotting scope from several hundred yards with a
small center-fire caliber which ordinarily would be difficult to discern even with a good spotting scope (such as a .22-250 @ 400m).
If the purpose is noise for your target shooting challenge, two nickels sandwiched a folded paper containing flash-type composition would make a good
target as you're dealing with MOA accuracy and no need to look again if you got a hit. 
[Edited on 25-4-2010 by quicksilver]
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prometheus1970
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Actually I wasn't thinking of this in terms of a target shooting scenario, but a much more practical way of putting something together to take out
into the woods and make a big boom. Would the FP impart sufficient energy to start the desired reaction (like shattering the crystals in tatp or
hmtd)?
By "more practical way", I mean not having to order/ purify AN for making an ammonium nitrate based explosive.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean everybody isn't out to get you.
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The WiZard is In
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Quote: Originally posted by prometheus1970  | | I've been toying lately with the idea of using about 25 grams of flash powder in a pvc casing to initiate an ammonium nitrate based exploding target.
I figure the targets generally require a projectile moving about 3000 fps(feet per second), whereas flash opwder detonjates @ just over 7200 feet per
second. Any thoughts? |
7200 fps flash powder!? If you can make flash and report that
will detonate at 7200 fps your a Squidy-nosed old idol.
{Literary reference.}
Here being an article I wrote for the PGII Bulletin #48. These were
the first exploding target, banned a few years back by the ATF.
EXPLODING TARGET
by The WiZ (On odd numbered days -- donald j haarmann)
In [PGII] Bulletin No. 45, Bob Winokur reported on an "Interesting
Pyrotechnic Device". This item was patented on 12 February
1985, as an Explosive Target, US Patent Number 4,498,677.
The patent's abstract is as follows: "An explosive target
for firearm marksmanship has a hollow rectangular block-
shaped body assembly including an internal bore containing
an explosive charge which detonates upon projectile impact.
A charge retaining disc forcibly inserted within the bore
retains the charge adjacent the rear wall of the body
assembly. A target imprinted on the front wall of the body
assembly is coaxially aligned with the bore."
The patent provides that: "Any suitable stable explosive
compound which will detonate upon projectile impact may be
used in practicing the invention and there are many
well-known commercially available compositions which should
be suitable for this purpose. However, I have found the
following formula to be most satisfactory.
Parts by weight
Potassium chlorate 18
Sulfur 6
Black fine powdered aluminum (400 mesh) 6
Bran 2-2.3
The aforementioned dry ingredients which include discrete
loosely associated granular components are preferably mixed
in dry form to produce the explosive charge."
This 60/20/20 - 3/1/1 combination Of potassium
chlorate/sulfur/aluminum is similar to a formula in
Shimizu's Fireworks, Thunder #1 (43/26/31), and Tenny Davis
(2/1/1) page 117. Perhaps the increased percentage of the
potassium chlorate is to make the mixture more sensitive.
It should be noted that the actual device may differ greatly
from the device described in its associated patent as the
patent filing date is 22 March 1983, and
changes/improvements may have been made since then
The patent cites five other patents as references, they are
as follows:
727,419. 1903. Flying target. A round target comprising
three discs, the inner disc one being a "fulminate" one. "By
the term 'fulminate' I do not mean only an explosive or
detonating substance, since material which when hit or
pierced will smoke, ignite, or burn more or less slowly may
be included by such term." There are no suggestions in the
patent as to what these substances may be.
1,091,116. 1914. Impact illuminated target for pleasure
shooting. "My invention consists in a target having its
impact-surface treated with a flash-light composition
igniting on the impact of the bullet to produce a
circumscribed illumination of the target about the point of
impact of the bullet upon its surface ... As an example of
such a preparation, I may instance a composition of chlorate
of potash, magnesium and collodin applied with an ordinary
brush."
1,145,585. 1915. Target. Small animal figure etc. covered
with a "paint having therein a small proportion of explosive
material, such for instance as well-known match-making
chemicals, with a component of explosive chlorates or the
like incorporated therein." The following compositions are
suggested:
Yellow flashing Parts by wt. Red flashing Parts by wt.
Red phosphorus 3 Red phosphorus 3
Potassium nitrate 2 Strontium nitrate 1-1/2
Antimony sulfid (sic) 1 Lithium carbonate 1
Glue (5% solution) 1 Antimony sulfid (sic) 1
Glue (5% solution) 1
Green flashing Parts by wt.
Red phosphorus 3
Barium nitrate 3
Antimony sulfid (sic) 1
Glue (5% solution) 1
4,243,288. 1981. Remotely-perceptible impact-indicating
projectile target. There are no pyrotechnics involved in
this patent.
If you are thinking of reproducing any of the above compositions,
make me beneficiary of your life
insurance policy first, I could use the money!
The targets described in the recent patent are advertised in
the Shotgun News, $26.50/40 targets postpaid [sellers deleted /djh/]
The ad also states that they are "Legal and safe for
public use." Lots-of-luck trying to convince the local PD
that you are not shooting off fireworks.
Someone was selling a PDF - How to Create Exploding Targets,
they failed to put their name on it. It is in essence a US Patent
application redone:—
Tannerite binary exploding targets
Daniel Jeremy Tanner
Application number: 9/872,187
Publication number: US 2003/0033952 A1
Filing date: Aug 20, 2001
Uses zirconium hydroxide &c. You can read it at
Google.com/patents. Google patents is a lot easier to use
the the US Patent Office. Most of the internet world uses
PDF's... the US PTO ... TIFF's. Weird.
You can buy Tannerite targets OTC. There be also —
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=532460
I have not used either of these.
Text
[Edited on 26-4-2010 by The WiZard is In]
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prometheus1970
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I stand corrected
Mea culpa, the velocity of flash powder is 2000 meters per second, not 2200-which translates to 6,560 feet per second (I'm curious about the "squidy
nosed ol idol" remark, though)
[Edited on 4-26-2010 by prometheus1970]
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean everybody isn't out to get you.
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quicksilver
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The velocity of an explosion (flash included) is determined by the route of initiation. Shimizu experimented with #6 caps vs. simple flame spit and
recorded detonation and @ approx. 3100msp (Takio Shimizu, 1996; published paper from lecture).
I saw the Sportsman's Guide offering & she seemed over-priced a bit. But that company is unique. Some times they have really interesting things
for fairly decent prices & their customer service is good.
A one shot, big boom seems like getting a wonderfully fine young lady and having only 15 minutes before you have to leave.
[Edited on 26-4-2010 by quicksilver]
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The WiZard is In
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| Quote: Originally posted by quicksilver | | The velocity of an explosion (flash included) is determined by the route of initiation. Shimizu experimented with #6 caps vs. simple flame spit and
recorded detonation and @ approx. 3100msp (Takio Shimizu, 1996; published paper from lecture). |
Adding —
Propagation Rates In Thermally Ignited Pyrotechnic Compositions. Richard W.
Collett, Tech Report ARLCD-TR-77049, August 1978, NTIS ADA060809.
"Work was performed to determine the propagation rates in loose,
granular confined pyrotechnic compositions when initiated thermally.
Representative materials included flash, igniter and flare compositions."
All compositions were tested confined in steel pipe 48" long by 2"id.
both ends of which were sealed with heavy end caps. An igniter pack
placed in the bottom of the column was used for thermal ignition.
Conclusions: "All of the compositions tested developed fast reactions
which could cause explosions and be extremely hazardous ***. The
reactions are therefore all classed as detonative." [Emphasis added.]
Of the four basic compositions tested, PFP-555 [Aluminum 15u 40.0%,
Barium nitrate 140u 30.0%, and Potassium perchlorate 20u 30.0%] "can
develop either a low-velocity or high-velocity detonation when
thermally ignited. Test 1- 920 meters/sec. Test 2-546 meters/sec."
AA Shidlovskiy, Principles of Pyrotechnics.
Barium chlorate 81; resin [shellac?] 19 1600-2000 m/sec
Trauzl 155 cm2
KClO3 25; wood meal 75. 2600 m/sec [!] Trauzl 220.
KClO3 25; Aluminium 75. 1500 m/sec Trauzl 160
KClO3 28; sulphur 62 1600 m/sec ----
Which probable proves something.
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