Annm +al

[Cyclonite]

Im about to set off 240g of AN with 35ml of NM and 20g of german dark AL in about 1.5 hours. Im have a 3g pressed AP cap. Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of a full detonation. Everything is nice, dry and fresh. If anyone has a suggestion please post ASAP. Thanks.

This is my first NM charge

[blindreeper]

Not really a sugestion towards the detonationg of the charge but run away fast! When I say run fast I mean fucking move!

About the detonation maybe have it placed under something to create pressure to ensure a full detonation? Like a big fat rock :)

[Cyclonite]

:mad: :mad:
It didnt work, the cap went and everything was scattered around...It might be the cap, does a 3g cap sound more like a pop that a crack from lets say 200m away? I hand press them. Lets see...I put everything in a 20oz coke bottle it was filled about 1/2 way. The cap was placed in the middle of the powder, it was kept closed untill I inserted the cap. When I added the NM and closed the bottle it generated some pressure so I let it out and reclosed it. I cant think of any good reason why it didnt go.

What a waste of chems....

[Guerilla]

Hmm.. maybe you should use a bigger proportion of NM, something like 25% and keeping the Al content same.. though I doubt this was the only reason it didnt work, if dry ap was used. When a bit bigger charge goes off it should look something like this (http://www.geocities.com/pyrotuksia/350gANNM.avi ). :)

[Cyclonite]

What other reasons could there be?

[Guerilla]

Well adding metal to an explosive usually decreases its sensitivity and while your mix was already somewhat NM deficient, it could be the reason why it failed to detonate from a mere blasting cap.. If your after optimal VoD and sensitivity, leave Al out. Using some extra aluminium will give some nice thermobaric effects though, once set off. :) Try using plain ANNM as a booster..

[wrench352]

How long before you tried to det was the NM added? 1.5 hrs? Ive read that you have to let it sit at least an hour and up to 8 hours. Also I agree with Guerilla try a touch more NM say 50ml (for 240gms AN). Maybe next time let it sit over night.
Hey,you would'nt have any old deactivated LAWs layin around you dont need?

[Anthony]

I'm surprised it didn't work for you!

Not to sure on the noise of the cap - I've never heard a 3gm det from so far away!

The cap was pressed, so that should be ok. Everything was dry, so that should be ok.

Was the ANNMAl settled or packed? I usually give the charge a shake to loosen everything up before putting it in place and inserting the cap.

I'd definitely suspect the NM quantity. I've never done a proper study, but charges that have failed for uncertain reasons also had a low NM content (<20%). 20-25% has always worked for me.

Soaking time of the NM - 30 mins works for me. I usually add the NM before leaving for the blasting site.

I've never had a dud with ANNM using a ~1gm pressed AP or HMTD cap, 20% NM and finely powdered AN. I usually oven dry the AN after powdering, but I'm sure I've skipped this drying step a couple of times and still had a full det.