Is this safe to use?

[KenECoyote]

I opened up an Aerotech G64-4W reload and was surprised to see this...


I've never come across this, so thoughts?

Edit: Been in an air tight ammo case in my living room for 5 years, but apparently I bought old stock since date on the reload is Sep 13 2000.

 

[dhbarr]

I use a baby emery board to open up the slot a little, then send them.

 

[KenECoyote]

I use a baby emery board to open up the slot a little, then send them.

So squish the little sausage into the casing and go hotdogging?

 

[dhbarr]

So squish the little sausage into the casing and go hotdogging?

That's what I did, worked well.

 

[Voyager1]

It's obviously swollen during storage, probably due to humidity. But, as dhbarr suggests, expose fresh grain with abrasive or scalpel.

 

[mbeels]

Maybe prepare for the possibility of some chuffing:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/almost-misfire.161608/#post-2040253

 

[KenECoyote]

Maybe prepare for the possibility of some chuffing:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/almost-misfire.161608/#post-2040253

Yeah, I'm thinking there is a chance of it not being so great. Cool post!

 

[Voyager1]

Just make sure you expose some fresh propellant in the grain adjacent to where the igniter will be by cutting away some of the oxidised surface with a scalpel.

 

[jd2cylman]

WM Little ‘un lighter worked great for the one I had, but it was 38mm...

 

[KenECoyote]

WM Little ‘un lighter worked great for the one I had, but it was 38mm...

I just found out about those yesterday, will have to try them!

 

[KenECoyote]

Just make sure you expose some fresh propellant in the grain adjacent to where the igniter will be by cutting away some of the oxidised surface with a scalpel.

Great advice! That makes so much sense and can explain some cases of failed ignition. I'm one that rarely gets that (tons of lp though) and I hadn't thought of it.
After your post, I grabbed 4 assembled reloads (no ejection charges yet) and did just that. Most were pretty old (like 10-20 years!), and I only got to launch one of them, but it kit right up!