My first time using 800X. I notices a few chips or flakes just slightly smaller than the powder itself. The powder stays locked up in a cool dark locale. Is this an agent in the powder for some reason, or could it be contamination? I buy from reputable sources. The color of this stuff is a sawdust color, and shaped like a small disc. ??
Do you have a picture? In the past we have witnessed it in other powders and thought it was moisture.
I bought two pounds of it and just opened the second one. The first one had what you describe. Not sure about the second one. It wasn't very much at all. Maybe one brown small bit per 5000 flakes or something. I never thought much about it. I loaded and shot it. I can't wait until this next pound is gone! Meters terribly which is bad for my intended use. It also blows burning flakes out the end of my 6-inch barrell which is an annoyance. I bought the wrong powder for my purpose (moderate, plinking loads, loaded in bulk).
Yes IMR or now Hodgdon 800X does have a "yellowish tan" Identifier flake in the mix.
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j441/_The_Shadow/IMG_0133_zps5bc56999.jpg)
Roger that, Shadow. I just got back from a buddy's store. His cans of 800x also have the same thing as your picture does. I feel better now.
Looks like what I've got too. Good to know.
There are a few flake powders that have identifiers in them: 800-X, 700-X, Blue Dot, etc. I haven't noticed that in stick or spherical powders though.
800-X is probably the easiest to identify since it is sized and shaped like Necco wafers. :))