H380 question??

02bigdogs17 · March 6, 2014, 08:11 PM

I have been loading for 3-4 years now and have used quite a few different powders. Recently my cousin gave me a pound of Hodgdon H380 because I wanted to try it for my new 22-250. He said he bought an 8lb jug of it several years ago and just poured it out of it into an old empty 1lb bottle for me. Well I got it out this evening and was pouring it into my powder dispencer and noticed some clumps in it. If you touch them they brake right up. Is this normal for H380 or did some moisture get to it? Thanks for any info.

thekyrifleman · March 7, 2014, 07:46 PM

Sounds like moisture. Have had 380 for probably 10 yrs, kept in the safe, no clumps. Suggest you also check smell, should be sweet acetone type. If not, do you see brown "dust" or is the smell irritating? If so, use it as fertilizer in the flower garden.......it is bad!!

243winxb · March 7, 2014, 08:55 PM

Use a magnum primer.

Mike / Tx · March 8, 2014, 07:22 AM

Through the years I have had it and other ball type powder get those clumps in them. They are all stored in a climate conditioned area with little to no humidity. They all shot just fine.

I have also had a couple that turned sour on me as well, like mentioned above. They will be immediately noticeable when you open the lids as a yellowish brown smoke, or dust will rise out, or be present when you pour them. Those are to be spread out on the yard then and there. Also don't be sniffing any of them that show that, it won't be a pleasant experience.

02bigdogs17 · March 8, 2014, 09:07 AM

Thanks for the info. The powder does not smell bad and there is no yellow, or brown color or dust anywhere that I can see.

Idaho Spud · March 9, 2014, 06:39 PM

Double-base powders can last a long time if kept closed and cool.

tango1niner · March 10, 2014, 09:24 PM

If the powder doesn't smell bad and there is brown dust check the inside of the METAL can for signs of rust. I had some IMR 3031 that had a little brown dust, and the smell was normal. I emptied can and looked inside, there was very light surface rust in the can. I loaded and shot it and had normal results from a rifle of known accuracy.

BigCheese · March 14, 2014, 02:15 PM

Post #2 above states " kept in the safe, no clumps"

In case of fire, powder ignited inside a safe will create a BOMB.
The storage cabinet must have weak walls which allow the high volume of gas to escape. Requirements for storage are furnished by powder suppliers. Read them carefully and change your method of storage.

March 6, 2014, 08:11 PM	#1
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	H380 question?? I have been loading for 3-4 years now and have used quite a few different powders. Recently my cousin gave me a pound of Hodgdon H380 because I wanted to try it for my new 22-250. He said he bought an 8lb jug of it several years ago and just poured it out of it into an old empty 1lb bottle for me. Well I got it out this evening and was pouring it into my powder dispencer and noticed some clumps in it. If you touch them they brake right up. Is this normal for H380 or did some moisture get to it? Thanks for any info.

March 8, 2014, 07:22 AM	#4
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	Through the years I have had it and other ball type powder get those clumps in them. They are all stored in a climate conditioned area with little to no humidity. They all shot just fine. I have also had a couple that turned sour on me as well, like mentioned above. They will be immediately noticeable when you open the lids as a yellowish brown smoke, or dust will rise out, or be present when you pour them. Those are to be spread out on the yard then and there. Also don't be sniffing any of them that show that, it won't be a pleasant experience. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

March 9, 2014, 06:39 PM	#6
Idaho Spud Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Posts: 330	Double-base powders can last a long time if kept closed and cool. __________________ "I should have picked alcohol, drugs, or beating my wife..." Pete Rose

March 14, 2014, 02:15 PM	#8
BigCheese Member Join Date: June 17, 2012 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 24	Storing powder Post #2 above states " kept in the safe, no clumps" In case of fire, powder ignited inside a safe will create a BOMB. The storage cabinet must have weak walls which allow the high volume of gas to escape. Requirements for storage are furnished by powder suppliers. Read them carefully and change your method of storage.

March 7, 2014, 07:46 PM	#2
thekyrifleman Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Northern Ky Posts: 254	Sounds like moisture. Have had 380 for probably 10 yrs, kept in the safe, no clumps. Suggest you also check smell, should be sweet acetone type. If not, do you see brown "dust" or is the smell irritating? If so, use it as fertilizer in the flower garden.......it is bad!!

March 7, 2014, 08:55 PM	#3
243winxb Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2011 Location: USA Posts: 1,730	Use a magnum primer.

March 8, 2014, 09:07 AM	#5
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	Thanks for the info. The powder does not smell bad and there is no yellow, or brown color or dust anywhere that I can see.

March 10, 2014, 09:24 PM	#7
tango1niner Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: NY Posts: 317	If the powder doesn't smell bad and there is brown dust check the inside of the METAL can for signs of rust. I had some IMR 3031 that had a little brown dust, and the smell was normal. I emptied can and looked inside, there was very light surface rust in the can. I loaded and shot it and had normal results from a rifle of known accuracy.