Re-using loaded powder

golfnutrlv · January 19, 2013, 08:35 PM

Hey all,

I have always avoided re-using powder from loads I don't like, but with how hard it is to find powder right now, I am considering it.

I have 100 rounds of .308 I don't like, that I could recover the Varget from. Loads have been stored in a cool, dry environment, and are about 2 years old.

It occurs to me there is plenty of milsurp ammo out there that is 60+ years old, and still functions fine.

Thoughts if this is a good idea or not?

Fire_Moose · January 19, 2013, 09:43 PM

If you loaded em and KNOW its varget I'd say go ahead.

useless signiture

chris in va · January 19, 2013, 10:30 PM

Yup, just be absolutely sure you know what is in the cases.

The military sells surplus pulldown powder all the time.

golfnutrlv · January 19, 2013, 11:44 PM

Thanks guys. Yes it's varget. I loaded it as a test load, didn't work out so well. Why I ever loaded 100 rounds of it is beyond me....

LarryFlew · January 19, 2013, 11:54 PM

Been there and done that. Have saved some Varget and Unique from too many test loads. Also no idea why i did so many B4 find they where not a good load for my purpose.

Ozzieman · January 20, 2013, 08:30 AM

I have over 1000 rounds of 30-06 from the 40’s and 50’s that I purchased for the components. I have most of them pulled and primers removed. These have great bullets but I sure would like to be able to use that 70 year old 4895 but chicken is my middle name.

**Mike Irwin** · January 20, 2013, 08:46 AM

If I loaded the ammo, and I know exactly what is in the cartridges, I reuse the powder.

g.willikers · January 20, 2013, 02:10 PM

I second that motion, or is it third.
What's the difference if the powder is stored in a can or in a cartridge case.
There's probably less contaminating air in the cartridges.

January 19, 2013, 08:35 PM	#1
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Re-using loaded powder Hey all, I have always avoided re-using powder from loads I don't like, but with how hard it is to find powder right now, I am considering it. I have 100 rounds of .308 I don't like, that I could recover the Varget from. Loads have been stored in a cool, dry environment, and are about 2 years old. It occurs to me there is plenty of milsurp ammo out there that is 60+ years old, and still functions fine. Thoughts if this is a good idea or not? __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

January 19, 2013, 11:44 PM	#4
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Thanks guys. Yes it's varget. I loaded it as a test load, didn't work out so well. Why I ever loaded 100 rounds of it is beyond me.... __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

January 20, 2013, 08:30 AM	#6
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	I have over 1000 rounds of 30-06 from the 40’s and 50’s that I purchased for the components. I have most of them pulled and primers removed. These have great bullets but I sure would like to be able to use that 70 year old 4895 but chicken is my middle name. __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

January 20, 2013, 08:46 AM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	If I loaded the ammo, and I know exactly what is in the cartridges, I reuse the powder. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 20, 2013, 02:10 PM	#8
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	I second that motion, or is it third. What's the difference if the powder is stored in a can or in a cartridge case. There's probably less contaminating air in the cartridges. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 19, 2013, 09:43 PM	#2
Fire_Moose Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2013 Posts: 211	If you loaded em and KNOW its varget I'd say go ahead. useless signiture

January 19, 2013, 10:30 PM	#3
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Yup, just be absolutely sure you know what is in the cases. The military sells surplus pulldown powder all the time.

January 19, 2013, 11:54 PM	#5
LarryFlew Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2009 Location: Minnesota CZ fan Posts: 902	Been there and done that. Have saved some Varget and Unique from too many test loads. Also no idea why i did so many B4 find they where not a good load for my purpose.

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