mixing powder.

hammered54 · January 28, 2012, 11:37 AM

now I know not to do this with larger amounts of left over powder from diff. lots
but last nite I was loading some 30.06 and it came down to the last round of 50
and the powder charge was lite by just a few flicks ..needed 47.1 and had under that ..so pitch it or open the new bottle and add?
were not talking a grain but just a couple of granules of powder to tip the beam....

Matt.

jdscholer · January 28, 2012, 12:04 PM

I see no problem.
My standard technique is to mix the last few ounces of a can that I've been using with the contents of a new can, often by pouring the new powder in with the old so as to adequately dilute the old into the new.
There, I've admitted it. Bring on the flame job.

jd

Lilswede1 · January 28, 2012, 12:11 PM

Had several partial 1 lb. and 8 lb. containers of Accurate 2230.
Asked several reloading buddies about mixing them together so that for the next 1200 rds., or so, loaded would all be the same.
Their immediate answer "NEVER mix powders".
I e-mailed and called Accurate powder. After going thru several subordinates - hooked up with the Ballistical Manager - his answer --
As long as all the powder is the same (ie Accurate 2230), and purchased within 5 years of each other, mix and load.
DO NOT mix different powders.
I mixd, loaded, and took samples to range.
No difference in accuracy or velocity between mixed and unmixed.
If you have these kind of questions, call or e-mail the maker. I find their information to be much more enlightening and factual.
And remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question except for the one that is not asked.
Old School (which I am part of at 66) is great, but learning something new from the people who really know is invaluable.

jmorris · January 28, 2012, 12:16 PM

I mix different lots of the same powder, last of one and begining of another. Never had iny problems over the last 25+ years.

Jim Watson · January 28, 2012, 12:17 PM

I have "back mixed" powders pretty regularly but there are some precautions.

Anecdotes:

I have some Win 231 left over from before Hodgdon took over the distributorship and started packing W231 and HP38 out of the same barrels.
That old (metal can) 231 is markedly different from my present supply of HP38. So I will not be combining those, even though Hodgdon shows them to be the same now.

Accurate Arms has sourced powder from all over the world. I would look to be sure two cans of A2230 were from the same country and that the appearance was the same before combining them. The five year business is no guarantee if they changed powder mills at the 3 year mark. Even with the same number designation and alleged same burn rate, I would not combine powder from different factories.

hammered54 · January 28, 2012, 12:18 PM

sounds good to me, didn't think it would be a problem just had to ask.

brickeyee · January 28, 2012, 12:24 PM

If the load is up near max it might be an issue.

With a mid range load you should verify accuracy but canister grade powders are held to reasonably tight standards, by blending them (though they do a lot more testing after blending).

If it is a very small amount of powder I often just fertilize the yard with it.

arch308 · January 28, 2012, 12:32 PM

I have been known to mix the last little bit of old powder into the new on many occasions and have never noticed a difference.
I NEVER mix different types.

JerryM · January 28, 2012, 01:27 PM

I would not worry about a small amount of the same powder. I do not believe that canister powders of the same number vary that much.

Jerry

TheNatureBoy · January 28, 2012, 07:47 PM

I've done it many times.

dacaur · January 28, 2012, 09:02 PM

I dont see a problem with it, I mean, how many of us go down 10% and rework a new load when switching to a new canister? If you dont do that, then you might as well be mixing old and new... actualy, mixing them would be safer...

jmorris · January 29, 2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

If the load is up near max it might be an issue.

Good point, I don't load any caliber at max but I have enough guns I can just go get the next bigger one.

So, if you are loading close enough to the edge that you adjust you measure down to smaller charges and work back up the load again every time you hit the end of a powder container, I wouldn't mix the last little bit. If you are leaving the measure where it was, I don't see any point.

larzb93 · January 30, 2012, 08:53 AM

as long it is the same powder with the same consistency i dont see the problem. where a possible problem could be is if you were loading a powder like 4064 and the your old powder had a different consistency (just from shaking the container you can dice up some of the powder for example) and then loaded it.

praetorian97 · January 30, 2012, 10:49 AM

I mix same powders. I back fill smaller containers with larger ones I bought for bulk savings.

For example I have an 8 lb jug of powder I fill a 1 lb container with. Easier to manipulate the smaller containers.

GroovyMike · January 31, 2012, 07:12 PM

so long as it is teh same powder, I see no issue.

m&p45acp10+1 · January 31, 2012, 07:18 PM

I have done so with bottles of Bull's Eye as far as having a couple of grains left in the measure. Note the bottles were bought from the same store, and probably from the same lot. I have also done this with Titegroup, and H-110 also. As far as rifle powder if there is like a half charge or so left I just pour it out into the hedge, and go buy another can.

firewrench044 · January 31, 2012, 07:26 PM

I also admit to mixing the last little bit of powder with the next
bottle to be used, but will never mix Vaget, the batches vary too
much to take that chance

jmorris · January 31, 2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

I also admit to mixing the last little bit of powder with the next

bottle to be used, but will never mix Vaget, the batches vary too

much to take that chance

Do you wind up having to reset the measure for each batch?

Jerry45 · January 31, 2012, 09:07 PM

I do the same as jdscholer. I usually end up with less than an oz. or 2 of a given powder. When that’s mixed with 8 Lbs. there isn’t much chance of ill effects.

I once dumped about half a pound of Varget into about 6 lbs. of IMR 4064 by accident. I’m still upset about throwing away all that powder.

Tim R · January 31, 2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Do you wind up having to reset the measure for each batch?

You should check to see if your load is still safe. And it could require a throw change. I’ve been shooting a lot of Reloader 15 and the lot numbers have been the same until recently. If the lot number is the same then no need to get worked up.

warbirdlover · January 31, 2012, 10:17 PM

BOOM!!!

Wyoredman · January 31, 2012, 10:27 PM

Yep, thats the sound guns make when the trigger is pulled! Thanks for reminding us!

oneounceload · February 1, 2012, 08:00 PM

Mixing the same powder, remainder of one with new bottle is no big deal. Do it all the time, there isn't enough left when diluted in a 8 pounder

Fullthrottle · February 1, 2012, 10:06 PM

I agree mixing on bottle of the SAME powder to another of the SAME powder is not a big deal, so long as they aren't many years apart in production!

January 28, 2012, 11:37 AM	#1
hammered54 Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2010 Location: Pinckney,Michigan Posts: 151	mixing powder. now I know not to do this with larger amounts of left over powder from diff. lots but last nite I was loading some 30.06 and it came down to the last round of 50 and the powder charge was lite by just a few flicks ..needed 47.1 and had under that ..so pitch it or open the new bottle and add? were not talking a grain but just a couple of granules of powder to tip the beam.... Matt.

January 28, 2012, 12:04 PM	#2
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	I see no problem. My standard technique is to mix the last few ounces of a can that I've been using with the contents of a new can, often by pouring the new powder in with the old so as to adequately dilute the old into the new. There, I've admitted it. Bring on the flame job. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

January 28, 2012, 12:11 PM	#3
Lilswede1 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2008 Location: NW Wash State Posts: 216	From the horse's mouth Had several partial 1 lb. and 8 lb. containers of Accurate 2230. Asked several reloading buddies about mixing them together so that for the next 1200 rds., or so, loaded would all be the same. Their immediate answer "NEVER mix powders". I e-mailed and called Accurate powder. After going thru several subordinates - hooked up with the Ballistical Manager - his answer -- As long as all the powder is the same (ie Accurate 2230), and purchased within 5 years of each other, mix and load. DO NOT mix different powders. I mixd, loaded, and took samples to range. No difference in accuracy or velocity between mixed and unmixed. If you have these kind of questions, call or e-mail the maker. I find their information to be much more enlightening and factual. And remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question except for the one that is not asked. Old School (which I am part of at 66) is great, but learning something new from the people who really know is invaluable.

January 28, 2012, 01:27 PM	#9
JerryM Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,889	I would not worry about a small amount of the same powder. I do not believe that canister powders of the same number vary that much. Jerry __________________ Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

January 31, 2012, 07:12 PM	#15
GroovyMike Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 55	same powder is ok so long as it is teh same powder, I see no issue.

January 28, 2012, 12:16 PM	#4
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	I mix different lots of the same powder, last of one and begining of another. Never had iny problems over the last 25+ years.

January 28, 2012, 12:17 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,528	I have "back mixed" powders pretty regularly but there are some precautions. Anecdotes: I have some Win 231 left over from before Hodgdon took over the distributorship and started packing W231 and HP38 out of the same barrels. That old (metal can) 231 is markedly different from my present supply of HP38. So I will not be combining those, even though Hodgdon shows them to be the same now. Accurate Arms has sourced powder from all over the world. I would look to be sure two cans of A2230 were from the same country and that the appearance was the same before combining them. The five year business is no guarantee if they changed powder mills at the 3 year mark. Even with the same number designation and alleged same burn rate, I would not combine powder from different factories.

January 28, 2012, 12:18 PM	#6
hammered54 Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2010 Location: Pinckney,Michigan Posts: 151	sounds good to me, didn't think it would be a problem just had to ask.

January 28, 2012, 12:24 PM	#7
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	If the load is up near max it might be an issue. With a mid range load you should verify accuracy but canister grade powders are held to reasonably tight standards, by blending them (though they do a lot more testing after blending). If it is a very small amount of powder I often just fertilize the yard with it.

January 28, 2012, 12:32 PM	#8
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 876	I have been known to mix the last little bit of old powder into the new on many occasions and have never noticed a difference. I NEVER mix different types.

January 28, 2012, 07:47 PM	#10
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	I've done it many times.

January 28, 2012, 09:02 PM	#11
dacaur Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 733	I dont see a problem with it, I mean, how many of us go down 10% and rework a new load when switching to a new canister? If you dont do that, then you might as well be mixing old and new... actualy, mixing them would be safer...

January 30, 2012, 08:53 AM	#13
larzb93 Member Join Date: December 20, 2011 Location: North Western PA Posts: 53	as long it is the same powder with the same consistency i dont see the problem. where a possible problem could be is if you were loading a powder like 4064 and the your old powder had a different consistency (just from shaking the container you can dice up some of the powder for example) and then loaded it.

January 30, 2012, 10:49 AM	#14
praetorian97 Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2011 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 455	I mix same powders. I back fill smaller containers with larger ones I bought for bulk savings. For example I have an 8 lb jug of powder I fill a 1 lb container with. Easier to manipulate the smaller containers.

January 31, 2012, 07:18 PM	#16
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I have done so with bottles of Bull's Eye as far as having a couple of grains left in the measure. Note the bottles were bought from the same store, and probably from the same lot. I have also done this with Titegroup, and H-110 also. As far as rifle powder if there is like a half charge or so left I just pour it out into the hedge, and go buy another can. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

January 31, 2012, 07:26 PM	#17
firewrench044 Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 381	I also admit to mixing the last little bit of powder with the next bottle to be used, but will never mix Vaget, the batches vary too much to take that chance

January 31, 2012, 09:07 PM	#19
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	I do the same as jdscholer. I usually end up with less than an oz. or 2 of a given powder. When that’s mixed with 8 Lbs. there isn’t much chance of ill effects. I once dumped about half a pound of Varget into about 6 lbs. of IMR 4064 by accident. I’m still upset about throwing away all that powder. __________________ Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA!

January 31, 2012, 10:17 PM	#21
warbirdlover Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2009 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 2,324	*BOOM!!!*

January 31, 2012, 10:27 PM	#22
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,350	Yep, thats the sound guns make when the trigger is pulled! Thanks for reminding us! __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

February 1, 2012, 08:00 PM	#23
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Mixing the same powder, remainder of one with new bottle is no big deal. Do it all the time, there isn't enough left when diluted in a 8 pounder

February 1, 2012, 10:06 PM	#24
Fullthrottle Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2009 Posts: 280	I agree mixing on bottle of the SAME powder to another of the SAME powder is not a big deal, so long as they aren't many years apart in production! __________________ When seconds count, why is help minutes away?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search