Abstract: A watergel explosive composition is provided which contains an oxidiser salt, a sensitiser, a thickener, a crosslinking agent, a fuel and water, the sensitiser component including more than 50% by weight of one or more water soluble compounds selected particularly from monomethylamine nitrate, ethanolamine nitrate, diethanolamine nitrate, triethanolamine nitrate, dimethylamine nitrate, hexamine nitrate, ethylenediamine dinitrate, laurylamine nitrate or mixtures of these. The composition contains less than 10% by water and has a rheology and hygroscopicity which makes its cartridging in paper cartridges possible on standard machines. A method of producing the explosive compositions as well as explosive cartridges containing them are also described.