Do you REUSE POWDER from UNLoaded Cartridges?--9mm.

[1SOW]

I had about 400 rds of my reloaded 9mm that I needed to UNload to increase the powder charge.
I knew exactly what powder was in the cartridge, Vit n320. They had been loaded for about a month.

Does anyone know of a reason to NOT reuse this powder?

 

[jcwit]

None that I know of, I've bought surplus military pull down powder and used it with excellent result.

 

[ants]

Of course, in reloading you make your own decisions. You may not decide what I did.

I do it on occasion, but only with my own reloads when I have it all the data logged in writing. If not in the written log for any reason, I dump it. I generally won't do it with 9mm because the quanitity is too small. Now, large bore centerfire rifle is a different story. Them Weatherby mags get a LOT of powder.

Instead of adding more powder, you might consider seating the bullet deeper if you're not already at minimum cartridge OAL. In 9mm with many powders and typical bullet weights, seating 0.010" deeper is often roughly the equivalent of adding one-tenth grain of powder. Of course, each load is different. But it's worth a try.

 

[fprefect]

Unloaded powder

The powder itself should be no problem as it has not been exposed to any element that might "contaminate" it some way. But the increasing the charge load has me a little concerned if you are not an experienced reloader and might possibly be increasing the charge by adding a different powder which of course could cause you some problems. If you will using the same powder in a load known to be safe in the weapon you intend to use them, I can't see any problem.


F. Prefect

 

[Walkalong]

It will be fine. As long as you know what it is, and you do. I'll bet in the future you make up fewer test cartridges.

 

[1SOW]

Walkalong: In the future I'll have a better Chronograph.

insert bullet
screw on cover
hammer once maybe twice (practice makes perfect)
remove case
unscrew cover
dump powder and bullet
SAVE that expensive Vit powder
Save that expensive 124gr CMJ MG bullet
Save that case to be resized with the new Federal primer already in
BUY A DIGITAL PRO-CHRONO

 

[Randy1911]

I don't do it. But if you want to, here is a tip. I use a strainer that comes in a bowl. I dump the bullet and powder in the setup. I then lift out the strainer and the powder stays in the bowl. Easiest way to seperate I have found.

 

[Afy]

Why would you not reuse the powder?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Ouch, you have to pull 400 rounds?

Like the others have said, since you know exactly what powder is in the rounds there's no reason at all not to reuse the powder.

 

[Sunray]

"...know exactly what powder was...Why would you not reuse the powder?..." Exactly. No problem at all.
"...about 400 rds..." Geezuz! Did you work up the load or just pick one? Mind you, depending on the load you used, shooting the ammo would be quicker.
"...I'll have a better Chronograph..." Won't make any difference if you don't pay attention to the powder thrower.
"...CMJ MG bullet..." Cast bullet data. CMJ's are not jacketed bullets.
"...a strainer that comes in a bowl..." It's called a collander. Dollar stores sell plastic collanders that work just fine. I found that drilling the bottom holes a bit bigger helps. Use mine for separating cases from tumbling media.
"...often roughly the equivalent of adding one-tenth grain of powder..." Nope.

 

[bluetopper]

Shoot em as is for target practice.

 

[rfwobbly]

Before I pulled 400, I might be tempted to ...
• seat them slightly deeper
• invest in a lighter recoil spring

 

[jjohnson]

NO, you need a 9mm cylinder for your .357 Ruger

Oh, I'd hate to pull 400 of 'em just to put more powder in there.

You can get a decreased power recoil spring from Wolff for less than the price of a box of ammo.

OR you could just do what I did - I bought a Ruger .357 Blackhawk Convertible, so anytime I have 9mm loads that don't live up to expectations for any reason, I just shoot 'em up in the revolver.

If you don't have one, this is your perfect excuse to run out and buy one....