Warnings

For the safety of the purchaser and others, ADI powders must be used in accordance with the latest edition of the ADI Powders Handloaders’ Guide. Overloading, incorrect storage or improper use can result in personal injury or death to the user and/or other persons as well as damage to property. It is essential that users of ADI powders:

Follow the recommendations of the ADI Powders Handloaders’ Guide by not exceeding the maximum loads.
Use only the latest reloading data.
Keep the powders out of reach of children and those persons unfamiliar with the properties of smokeless powders.
Store the powders in a cool, dry and safe place with the lid tightly closed.
Check the powders at least once per year for any signs of deterioration as described below.
Store all powders in the original containers.
Do not smoke in areas where ADI powders are stored and used.
Do not have loaded firearms in areas where ADI powders are stored and used.

Loading data provided within the ADI Powders Handloaders’ Guide has been compiled from many sources including actual ballistic testing under controlled conditions and published loading/ballistic information available in the literature. The ballistic performance of smokeless powders varies considerably depending upon factors such as the type of firearm being used and its condition, the particular components being used in a cartridge with a powder, the reloading techniques used, the actual batch of the powder being loaded, weather conditions at the time of firing, etc. Therefore, it is not possible for the loading data in the ADI Powders Handloaders’ Guide (or any other similar manual) to be other than a guide to a safe load for any particular application. Exceeding the recommended loading data will increase the chance of obtaining unsafe pressures and may result in damage and/or personal injury or even death.
While Australian Munitions controls the burning rate of its various smokeless powders within tight limits at the time of manufacture, all other factors affecting the ballistic performance of these powders at the time of use are outside Australian Munitions’s control. Australian Munitions therefore disclaims any and all warranties concerning the use of its various smokeless powders for any particular application. Australian Munitions does not assume, nor does it authorise any person to assume for it, any liability in connection with the use of any product or data.
The buyer of ADI Powders assumes the risk of having to follow safe loading practices otherwise damage and/or severe personal injury (including death) may occur.
NEVER substitute ADI Powders for black powder or Pyrodex® and never mix ADI powders with these materials. NEVER use ADI powders in black powder firearms, saluting cannons or similar devices. Any of these practices may result in the firearm blowing apart resulting in property damage, personal injury or even death.
Store smokeless powders in a cool dry place separate from solvents, flammable gases and other combustible materials. Ensure that the storage area selected is free from any possible source of excess heat and is isolated from open flame, hot water heaters, furnaces, chimneys, flue pipes, etc. Avoid storing smokeless powders in areas which may be heated by the sun or where electrical, electronic or mechanical equipment is operated. Do not allow containers of powder to contact walls of storage areas that are exposed on the other side to sunlight or other form of heating. Any such form of heating or ignition may result in a fire, either immediately or after some time due to accelerated chemical deterioration and subsequent spontaneous ignition. An average storage temperature below 25 ºC is recommended to obtain a safe shelf life of at least 10 years from the date of packing. Increased storage temperature will reduce the safe shelf life significantly – by approximately one-third for every 10 ºC above 25 ºC.
All smokeless powders deteriorate chemically as they get older. This rate of deterioration can be accelerated by storage in warm conditions, exposure to other chemicals and exposure to direct sunlight. Any such deterioration may ultimately lead to a fire through spontaneous ignition of the powder. CHECK containers of smokeless powder for possible deterioration through age or inadequate storage. Yearly checks are recommended. Chemical deterioration may ultimately lead to spontaneous ignition of the powder. Chemical deterioration of smokeless powder can be recognised by carefully smelling the contents of the container. Any deterioration produces an acrid, acidic odour quite different from the normal sweet smelling odours of ethanol or ether that are usually present. Rusting of metal surfaces exposed to smokeless powder can also indicate deterioration.
Deteriorated smokeless powder should be disposed of by carefully burning it in thin layers (not more than 10mm deep) in small quantities (never more than 500 gram) in an isolated location (at least 10 metres from any other combustible material). DO NOT LIGHT THE POWDER DIRECTLY. Always use an ignition train of slow burning combustible material so that you are able to retreat to a safe distance before the powder ignites.
Store ADI Powders in their original containers, which have been approved for that purpose. Storage cabinets used for storage of containers of powders should be constructed of insulating materials with weak walls, seams or joints to provide easy venting in the event of a fire. Such storage cabinets should not be located on walls where heating on the other side (by the sun or other heating arrangement) will occur.
DO NOT SMOKE in areas where smokeless powder is stored or used.
DO NOT HAVE LOADED FIREARMS in areas where ADI Powders are stored or used – accidental or intended operation of the firearm may cause ignition of smokeless powder, either by direct ignition of powder in the open or through bullet impact on containers of powders.
Do not cut, pierce or puncture powder containers.
ADI rifle powders are designed to give less ballistic variation with temperature changes than regular smokeless powders. This does not mean that ballistics will never change with temperature. The extent to which change is minimised depends upon many factors including the calibre, primer brand and projectile weight. Care should always be taken to ensure that any particular load is safe at the extreme temperatures at which it will be used.
Powders can change their moisture reasonably quickly if exposed to the atmosphere. Any change of moisture can affect the powder burning rate and the effectiveness or safety of a particular load. Always minimise the exposure of any smokeless powder to the atmosphere during loading. Use minimum quantities of powder at any time in powder loaders and keep lids on containers tightly closed at all times. Do not keep powders in loaders for long periods of time. In this way you are more likely to preserve the appropriate level of moisture for the lot of the powder in use and obtain consistent reliable ballistic performances from every load.
Follow the hints on Reloading Safety given in the ADI Powders Reloader’s Guide. Remember that powders and ammunition are explosive and that firearms are only designed to operate within safe working limits and are not indestructible. The wrong combination of powder burning rate, charge weight, cartridge components and weapon can be disastrous. ALWAYS TAKE EXTREME CAUTION when you are reloading.
Never mix any varieties of powder, regardless of their type, brand or source.
Do not salvage powder from old cartridges, and do not mix new and salvaged powder.
Always store powder in the smallest practical quantities. If you have large quantities of powder, do not maintain it all in one place only. Spread your containers, and remember that small containers are safer than large containers.