different lots of powder

[Timmer]

can you mix the same powder, same MFG. and all, just different lots?

 

[KI.W.]

Ofcourse I can. When powder is near to the end, I open the next can and mix it with powder in the new can.

 

[bullseye308]

Depends on how you mean that. If you are loading 500 rds and run out of powder in the middle, I would not. You should work up the load whenever any component changes, as lot to lot variances could be a problem, however slight. If you have a couple of pounds of new mfr powder of different lots you MAYBE could get by mixing them thoroughly before starting and use it all as one lot. I would only do that with access to a chronograph and start low. Make sure you keep GOOD records of the whole process every step of the way.


Normally mixing lots of powder is not considered a good idea, but lately I hear that the lot to lot variances are so minimal as to not be much of a factor. YMMV of course. Someone with mors insight and experience will be along shortly, so don't hold what I say to be fact.

 

[jwr747]

also depends on what powder.pistol loads probably wouldn't notice the minor changes in powder. 1000 yard rifle loads probably would notice it. folks who are sticklers for "one hole groups" retest anytime there is a powder,primer,ect. change. us folks who shoot gongs don't really care if there is a 15 feet per sec. change in our plinking loads. jwr

 

[rcmodel]

I hope you can, because I have been doing it for almost 50 years.

If you use up all you can get out of the old container, then dump it in the full can and shake it up good, there will be no measurable difference.

rcmodel

 

[scrat]

this is a debatable discussion. Some will say dont do it. i have done it. Im not going to keep 1/2 empty containers on my shelf or almost empty containers. If its Unique then its Unique. I will pour them in the same container to eliminate space. Same with any other powder. My powders usually do not go unused. They do get used so the chances of them going bad is slim to none. As fars as mixing. i mix the same powder only. Meaning an almost empty container of W748. I open the new W748 and pour the old W748 in the container. I do not mix different types though. Im not a chemist.

 

[texfed]

For match target I wouldn't recommend it....all around use....been doing it for years! Powder aint cheap!

 

[The Bushmaster]

I'll go with rcmodel and scrat (you sexy devil you). I'm not a long distence shooter. Just a hunter that likes accurate rounds for hunting and pleasure...

 

[PecosRiverM]

If my memory doesn't fail me. I think I remember someone here saying that the 1000yd guys will mix different lots togeather for a more uniform result.

But then again I am getting older and the memory isn't what it used to be.

 

[buck460XVR]

I'm assuming most modern load manuals allow for the small amount of variations between the different lots of the same powder. So as long as one stays within the limits of published loads there's no real danger mixing different lots of the same powder. Since I only use a few powders and I keep them relatively fresh, I always figured that by mixing the remains of my last jug into the new jug of the same powder, that the result would be a powder closer to what I had been reloading.....thus helping to retain accuracy of loads over a period of time. But then, I too only shoot for fun and for hunting and not for 1000yd competition.

 

[rcmodel]

I think I remember someone here saying that the 1000yd guys will mix different lots together for a more uniform result.

Yea!
But those guys are nuts anyway!

Some of them even sift & screen ball powder to separate the little balls from the big balls.

(After the powder company may have blended different size balls to get the exact burning rate of the last lot of that powder they made.)

rcmodel

 

[USSR]

can you mix the same powder, same MFG. and all, just different lots?

Yep, done all the time.

Don