Did I mix Powders?

[peeplwtchr]

Hi All-

I was loading some 9mm today, and saw something I am pretty sure I don't like, but am wondering if I can get confirmation. I load 9mm using Unique. On the same bench, I also load .223 using either IMR 8208 or varget stick powders. It looks like there is stick in my Unique. I've loaded with 6 lbs of Unique, and never recall seeing stick in it. I only use the powder drop with Unique, I have a Chargemaster for the Varget. Did I dump a pan of Varget into my Unique 8lb container?

 

[AJC1]

Yep you got contamination

 

[peeplwtchr]

Dammitt, 2lbs of Unique going to the trash. Lucky I only got 7 rounds done. I am going to work from 1lb bottles now, not the 8 pounders.

 

[peeplwtchr]

$60 down the drain

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Time for tweezers and fly-tying glasses....

 

[peeplwtchr]

Time for tweezers and fly-tying glasses....

Hmmmmmmm.

 

[sparkyv]

Sieving, perhaps?

 

[AJC1]

The contamination is a slower powder so should not be dangerous, but not good. I got more time than money so I would measure and tease out the contaminates..
.

 

[jmorris]

I bet, with the right device it. could be sorted as far as flake from stick pretty quickly.

I’ve got a tiny vibratory bowl/linear feed system that would do it.

The right sized screen would do it too. A woven screen, a tad large on the opening could also be forced from a square section to a parallelogram and the openings could be adjusted smaller as the angle increases.



Would at least allow you to save the flake quickly. I would further inspect the extruded for flake debris. Then maybe introduce airflow if any flake remnants were evident.

 

[Bcwitt]

If it was just a little bit, idk if I'd worry about it. I'll take it if you are concerned about it.

 

[kidneyboy]

When in doubt, throw it out.
One of the first things I learned about reloading.

 

[peeplwtchr]

I bet, with the right device it. could be sorted as far as flake from stick pretty quickly.

I’ve got a tiny vibratory bowl/linear feed system that would do it.

The right sized screen would do it too. A woven screen, a tad large on the opening could also be forced from a square section to a parallelogram and the openings could be adjusted smaller as the angle increases.

View attachment 1028865

Would at least allow you to save the flake quickly. I would further inspect the extruded for flake debris. Then maybe introduce airflow if any flake remnants were evident.

Wow Air is an interesting approach. Gonna test Sat.. Thanks

 

[MEHavey]

The contamination is a slower powder

^^^ THIS ^^^
(IMHO, you wouldn't even notice)

 

[Walkalong]

Yep.

 

[GBExpat]

I keep my propellant containers sequestered. Retrieving or returning a container takes a bit of effort.

Only one container of propellant is ever on my bench; the one that I am currently using.

I adopted this method after reading one too many posts like this one.

Sorry that this happened to you, peeplwtchr!

 

[peeplwtchr]

I keep my propellant containers sequestered. Retrieving or returning a container takes a bit of effort.

Only one container of propellant is ever on my bench; the one that I am currently using.

I adopted this method after reading one too many posts like this one.

Sorry that this happened to you, peeplwtchr!

Yeah, I have always only kept one on the bench for the same reason. I was pulling the other day (9 and .223), in fact I did them in seperate phases, and sequestered the powders. I must've screwed it up somehow.

 

[Bcwitt]

If the Unique was in the Varget, definately scrap it. I doubt you will have problems this way.

 

[TEXASJD]

Looks like Varget to me

 

[Bfh_auto]

Pour it on a large paper s little at at time the kennels can be teased out rather easily. You can do it on an as needed basis so your less likely to get careless.

 

[Poper]

If you are long on time and short on money, I suggest you opt for the fly tieing magnifier and the tweezers on a large sheet of white paper. You are saying it is only two pounds or so and that should be done pretty quickly.

The lessons you have learned here are those that nearly all of us have learned the hard way, too: 1) Never have more containers of powder on your bench than the one powder you are working with; 2) Do NOT work on rifle and pistol rounds in the same loading session; 3) Keep your work area clean and only occupied with the tools and materials for a single cartridge at a time; 4) Never work in your loading room / at your loading bench when you are rushed or tired; 5) Never, never, never, NEVER consume alcohol before or during a loading session.

Five simple rules for our hobby.
They will help you be safe and consistent in your pursuit of the perfect rounds for your firearm. They are cardinal rules I never violate. Distraction and unnecessary complication are a recipie for mistakes and possibly disaster.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Yep you got contamination

It caused me physical pain to like your post. But you called it rightly.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Yeah, I have always only kept one on the bench for the same reason. I was pulling the other day (9 and .223), in fact I did them in seperate phases, and sequestered the powders. I must've screwed it up somehow.

Now go check your Varget!

 

[Jim Watson]

One scale pan of Varget in an 8lb Unique keg?
Mix well and carry on.

Beat yourself up, correct your procedures, but that is not enough cross contamination to matter.

A friend once dumped a measure hopper of Varget into a keg of Aa2520.
I still had connections with my old agency's lab and borrowed some different mesh testing sieves. We found one that gave an almost perfect separation.

 

[peeplwtchr]

Now go check your Varget!

Damn dude you freaked me out. 1 single Unique flake in the 3/4 lb..

 

[Bcwitt]

Now go check your Varget!

Very good point. Lol