Powder Jug Handling

chris downs · April 6, 2021, 01:01 PM

So I have an 8 pound container of powder coming tomorrow. It's all they had and all I could get. I am familiar with using 4 pound jugs and an 8 pounder seems like it will be unwieldy. Or is slinging around 8 pounders no big deal?

jpx2rk · April 6, 2021, 02:33 PM

If you have a empty 1# bottle, just re-label it with masking/painters tape, etc., so you'll know what is really in that re-labeled bottle.

Jim Watson · April 6, 2021, 03:08 PM

Yup, have done that for a long time. I don't want to be swinging an 8 lb container over a powder measure. I even have proper 1 lb bottles from when I tried out a powder, liked it, then bought in quantity.

**Unclenick** · April 6, 2021, 03:59 PM

Pick an empty that is a style you prefer. Some have narrower mouths than others, and some are flat and narrow rather than cylindrical. Just find a shape you are comfortable with and that you can control well pouring into the powder measure. Fill it only halfway. Label it something like "powder name - working stock". You can print it on a sheet of the peel-off, stick-on labels and put one on your measure when that is what is in it. You can also return powder to it (this is why God made funnels) if you have to change out what is in your measure, though I would get in the habit of leaving the container as the only powder container on the bench until that is done. Otherwise, you increase the chances of accidentally mingling two powders. Never pour anything back into your 8 lb jug. If you realize (you should always look at powder when you pour it out, as an added check) that you've mixed two powders, you then have only a partial container of orphaned powder rather than being faced with the nightmare of trying to segregate an intruder from your larger store.

RC20 · April 6, 2021, 03:59 PM

Ditto:

Make sure you rip the label off, don't just paste on over existing.

I collect them now, I only buy in 8 lb jugs (when its available).

I also keep a few 8 lbs spares, I found 9 lbs of powder a while back in 1 lb. So I put it all in the 8, labeled it as such, kept one of the 1 lb.

The 5 lb R17 just is handy as it takes 8 and you don't have empty space (again when you can or could get it in 5 lb).

jmhyer · April 7, 2021, 09:13 AM

I would add that, in transferring and storing in smaller containers, you should include on your label, not just the name of the powder but also the date of purchase and lot # ...in case of a recall or a problem that you need to discuss with the manufacturer.

101combatvet · April 7, 2021, 09:30 AM

Unless you are buying local, eight pounds is the most cost-effective way to ship.

7.62 man · April 7, 2021, 12:24 PM

Buy a big plastic funnel because pouring from those large containers can be hard & at the price of powder these days any spill is expensive.

RC20 · April 7, 2021, 12:56 PM

I have had no issues using my hand as a guide. But then I deal in 8 lbs and a lot of 30-06.

I spill far more vs none when I forget to shut the gate on the auto dispenser!

jetinteriorguy · April 8, 2021, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7.62 man

Buy a big plastic funnel because pouring from those large containers can be hard & at the price of powder these days any spill is expensive.

I use a canning funnel, nice big mouth for easy powder flow.

FITASC · April 8, 2021, 07:54 AM

Dollar store funnel for me; the white funnel gets used for dispensing powder and shot and has a nice graphite coating on part of it from decades of use. Also handy to pour the powder BACK into the jug.

rodfac · April 8, 2021, 08:32 AM

No big deal...just use a funnel when topping off your powder measure.

pete2 · April 8, 2021, 09:22 AM

I pour it right into my Dillon measure(use a funnel) from the 8# jug, also fill my MEC bottles the same way.

rclark · April 8, 2021, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Buy a big plastic funnel

I simply cut the top half off a 2 liter pop bottle as a funnel. Works great. Had it for years. Nice wide mouth.

I always keep a 1lb bottle of each powder around just for this purpose. Large jug into small bottle, already properly labeled....

FITASC · April 8, 2021, 03:45 PM

Except for some rifle powders from decades ago, I haven't bought a 1# jug of powder in 20+ years. Minimum is 4#, typical is 8#; the unit price per pound savings is just too great

Nick_C_S · April 9, 2021, 08:23 AM

I have saved a 1# empty container of every powder I've used. If/when I get a 4# or 8# batch, I will dispense exactly 1# (using a kitchen scale and funnel) into the saved 1# container. Using a label, I'll put the date dispensed, and the lot#.

zxcvbob · April 9, 2021, 08:56 AM

Small liquid laundry detergent bottles work well for storing a pound or so of powder from your bulk jug. Wash it out well, make sure it's totally dry. (they also work well for storing a quart or so of laundry detergent out of a 2.5 gallon bulk pack. Or 5 pounds of birdshot. Etc.) Make sure you label it

Don P · April 9, 2021, 10:29 AM

No worse than wielding a gallon of milk around

rclark · April 10, 2021, 12:37 AM

Quote:

I will dispense exactly 1# (using a kitchen scale and funnel) into the saved 1# container

I refill the smaller container to the brim each time. Seems to work just fine

. Powder doesn't seem to mind... I've also went the 'other' direction. When powder was scarce, and I'd run across a bottle or two of what I use, I'd buy and pour back into the large jug until full ...filled to the brim. Then toss the smaller bottles away to save space....

chris downs · April 10, 2021, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don P

No worse than wielding a gallon of milk around

But I don't cry over spilled milk!

Nick_C_S · April 10, 2021, 09:34 AM

Quote:

But I don't cry over spilled milk!

Well played.

gwpercle · April 10, 2021, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7.62 man

Buy a big plastic funnel because pouring from those large containers can be hard & at the price of powder these days any spill is expensive.

What he says about a large funnel is correct ... large diameter so it is easy to pour into and make sure the opening from the funnel / tube is nice and large ...
Powder needs a large opening to flow easily through and most Liquid Funnels and funnels found in cooking and automitive are sized for liquids ...For powder to flow easily get a large funnel with a large diameter tube , if not the powder fills the funnel , clogs the tube and your stuck juggling a full funnel and a 8 pound powder keg ... trust me !!!
Gary

Mike / Tx · April 11, 2021, 06:22 AM

Funnel hack...

Next time you stop at a convenience store, grab a half dozen of those paper funnels they have for oil. Cut about a quarter inch off the bottom and your good to go.

Best part is they fold flat and don't take up much room.

stagpanther · April 11, 2021, 07:20 AM

I've never had a problem "slinging" 8 pounders--is there a safety issue with doing so? (I've done plenty of stupid stuff).

rclark · April 11, 2021, 11:00 AM

No safety issue. Just the convenience of a 1# bottle.

April 6, 2021, 01:01 PM	#1
chris downs Member Join Date: January 6, 2005 Location: MO Posts: 91	Powder Jug Handling So I have an 8 pound container of powder coming tomorrow. It's all they had and all I could get. I am familiar with using 4 pound jugs and an 8 pounder seems like it will be unwieldy. Or is slinging around 8 pounders no big deal?

April 6, 2021, 03:59 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Pick an empty that is a style you prefer. Some have narrower mouths than others, and some are flat and narrow rather than cylindrical. Just find a shape you are comfortable with and that you can control well pouring into the powder measure. Fill it only halfway. Label it something like "powder name - working stock". You can print it on a sheet of the peel-off, stick-on labels and put one on your measure when that is what is in it. You can also return powder to it (this is why God made funnels) if you have to change out what is in your measure, though I would get in the habit of leaving the container as the only powder container on the bench until that is done. Otherwise, you increase the chances of accidentally mingling two powders. Never pour anything back into your 8 lb jug. If you realize (you should always look at powder when you pour it out, as an added check) that you've mixed two powders, you then have only a partial container of orphaned powder rather than being faced with the nightmare of trying to segregate an intruder from your larger store. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 6, 2021, 03:59 PM	#5
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Ditto: Make sure you rip the label off, don't just paste on over existing. I collect them now, I only buy in 8 lb jugs (when its available). I also keep a few 8 lbs spares, I found 9 lbs of powder a while back in 1 lb. So I put it all in the 8, labeled it as such, kept one of the 1 lb. The 5 lb R17 just is handy as it takes 8 and you don't have empty space (again when you can or could get it in 5 lb). __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

April 7, 2021, 09:30 AM	#7
101combatvet Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2011 Posts: 667	Unless you are buying local, eight pounds is the most cost-effective way to ship. __________________ Special Operations Combat Veteran Gunsmith, BS, MFA, Competitive Shooter NRA Certified Firearms Instructor [9 Certifications]

April 7, 2021, 12:56 PM	#9
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	I have had no issues using my hand as a guide. But then I deal in 8 lbs and a lot of 30-06. I spill far more vs none when I forget to shut the gate on the auto dispenser! __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

April 6, 2021, 02:33 PM	#2
jpx2rk Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2015 Posts: 387	If you have a empty 1# bottle, just re-label it with masking/painters tape, etc., so you'll know what is really in that re-labeled bottle.

April 6, 2021, 03:08 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Yup, have done that for a long time. I don't want to be swinging an 8 lb container over a powder measure. I even have proper 1 lb bottles from when I tried out a powder, liked it, then bought in quantity.

April 7, 2021, 09:13 AM	#6
jmhyer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: MS - USA Posts: 899	I would add that, in transferring and storing in smaller containers, you should include on your label, not just the name of the powder but also the date of purchase and lot # ...in case of a recall or a problem that you need to discuss with the manufacturer.

April 7, 2021, 12:24 PM	#8
7.62 man Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2009 Location: Cyber-world USA Posts: 258	Buy a big plastic funnel because pouring from those large containers can be hard & at the price of powder these days any spill is expensive.

April 8, 2021, 07:54 AM	#11
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	Dollar store funnel for me; the white funnel gets used for dispensing powder and shot and has a nice graphite coating on part of it from decades of use. Also handy to pour the powder BACK into the jug. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

April 8, 2021, 08:32 AM	#12
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	No big deal...just use a funnel when topping off your powder measure. __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

April 8, 2021, 09:22 AM	#13
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	I pour it right into my Dillon measure(use a funnel) from the 8# jug, also fill my MEC bottles the same way.

April 8, 2021, 03:45 PM	#15
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	Except for some rifle powders from decades ago, I haven't bought a 1# jug of powder in 20+ years. Minimum is 4#, typical is 8#; the unit price per pound savings is just too great __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

April 9, 2021, 08:23 AM	#16
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,522	I have saved a 1# empty container of every powder I've used. If/when I get a 4# or 8# batch, I will dispense exactly 1# (using a kitchen scale and funnel) into the saved 1# container. Using a label, I'll put the date dispensed, and the lot#. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

April 9, 2021, 08:56 AM	#17
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Small liquid laundry detergent bottles work well for storing a pound or so of powder from your bulk jug. Wash it out well, make sure it's totally dry. (they also work well for storing a quart or so of laundry detergent out of a 2.5 gallon bulk pack. Or 5 pounds of birdshot. Etc.) Make sure you label it __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

April 9, 2021, 10:29 AM	#18
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	No worse than wielding a gallon of milk around __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

April 11, 2021, 06:22 AM	#23
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	Funnel hack... Next time you stop at a convenience store, grab a half dozen of those paper funnels they have for oil. Cut about a quarter inch off the bottom and your good to go. Best part is they fold flat and don't take up much room. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

April 11, 2021, 07:20 AM	#24
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,771	I've never had a problem "slinging" 8 pounders--is there a safety issue with doing so? (I've done plenty of stupid stuff). __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

April 11, 2021, 11:00 AM	#25
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,619	No safety issue. Just the convenience of a 1# bottle. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.