[taliv]

what's the longest you let powder sit in there? it has a little hole in the top, so it's not airtight. i filled it up, loaded half of it, went traveling on business for two weeks, and i'm wanting to use the other half. it's been very dry air lately, and i'm thinking the very limited circulation means it's not a big deal. i'm just loading blasting ammo, not self-defense or match ammo. thoughts?

[The Bushmaster]

I have no idea, but some powders will etch the inside of your hopper. I empty my powder hopper after every loading session and restow everything before I close the door on my reloading/gun room...;)

[sargenv]

I tend to load large amounts in one sitting. I usually leave powder in powder measures for months at a time with nothing bad happening. I have a half of a powder measure sitting out in the garage right now that's been sitting there for 2 or 3 weeks, I have 1k rounds of ammo which will last me a month or so, so I won't need to load for at least that much longer. Unless you have temperature and humidity extremes, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Vince

[dmftoy1]

3-4 hours . . . . I'm anal and want everything cleaned up and put away after every session. :)

Have a good one,
Dave

[Dave P]

months

[Chawbaccer]

Right now I got six or seven different powders in inventory. If I left it in there more than a day I'd probably forget what it was and end up having to dump it on the lawn.

[kimbernut]

Occasionally a month or two but usually a week or two. I've seen no difference in velocity or POI. Chawbaccer, that's easily solved by commiting to yourself that the can or jug stays on the bench until the hopper is emptied back into it and only one powder container on the bench at a time.

[Master Blaster]

My Dillon measure has been full of powder since, 1999, different powders for different rounds, I only empty and clean it when I am changing powders.

No problems in about 80,000 rounds, and here in Delaware the humidity can range from 98% in the summer, to 25% in the winter.

[The Bushmaster]

Same thing I do Kimbernut. If it is in the hopper, the canister is on the bench. If it is not in the hopper the canister is put away. Aways been a good rule...:)

[artw]

I finally got smart, and ordered a second measure from Dillon; one is always filled with Bulls-ear, and the other is the one that holds any one of a dozen slower-burning pistol powders. A card, elastic-ed to the powder cannister, is transferred to the measure when I change.

*why Bulls-ear? You haven't seen me shoot.

[The Bushmaster]

That's startin' ta worry me artw....:D

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I do what KimberNut, The Bushmaster and Master Blaster said.

Done that for years. I've left powder in there for months. I go on binges with one caliber or powder and just add to it when it's running low. I only emty/clean it when changing powder. -And since I use my Dillon mostly for .45acp, it seldom sees anything other than Bullseye. In my basement, where humidity levels can vary in the winter, I still haven't had propellant issue in all these years.

'Store in a cool, dry place'.... How airtight is that pound of Win231 with cardboard container?

-Steve

[Bronson7]

I used to keep powder in it between reloading sessions of once per week, but one day, I discovered I was getting a bit of clumping down by the baffle. Since then, I dump it after every session. Pretty easy to do and keeps the powder free flowing, or so it seams.
Bronson7

[taliv]

thanks for the replies. i also keep the jug on the bench so i can remember what flavor of powder is in the hopper.

[GaryL]

Chawbaccer, that's easily solved by commiting to yourself that the can or jug stays on the bench until the hopper is emptied back into it and only one powder container on the bench at a time.
Yesterday 07:06 AM
Better yet, take a 3x5 card, write the name of the powder on it, and stuff it in the hopper when you first pour the powder into it. Then you don't ever have to worry about making sure what's on the bench matches what's in the hopper (or getting confused if you someday find yourself with a can of powder in each hand).

[bdhawk]

i frequently leave powder in my dillon measures for quite a while. i tape a
'post it' note with the type of powder and the weight setting on the outsie of the hopper. i do always cover my machine after use. i have heard that light exposure is an issue.

[Navy joe]

If you want to seal it up put a piece of aluminum foil over the top then press the lid down on it. The foil also kills the static, no powder hanging on the sides. I write in Sharpie on the lid what is in it and tamper seal the lid with tape.