dsb1829
Member
Just curious. How long can you leave powder in the hopper of a powder meter before worrying about moisture? If it sits overnight do you still mix it back into your bulk jug?
How long can powder stay in meter?
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Kevin Rohrer
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Kevin Rohrer
Member
Overnight isn't bad. Letting some powders set for days or longer in plastic hoppers will discolor the plastic and eventually etch it.
It's also bad to leave powder in the hopper from one session to another as many powders look alike, and you could forget what you have in it and put it back into the wrong container, which is a recipe for disaster.
It's also bad to leave powder in the hopper from one session to another as many powders look alike, and you could forget what you have in it and put it back into the wrong container, which is a recipe for disaster.
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jerkface11
Member
Overnight should be fine. Let it sit too long and the powder will etch into the plastic.
Depends on the powder, but I leave mine in the hopper until I use it all or switch to a different powder. On some of my progressive presses I have interchangeable tool heads, and the powder has sat in some of them for years at a time. The only powder I have ever had a problem with was SP2 which has a tendency to clump and can give you a squib load if you're not paying attention.
I use only one powder for all my pistol reloading and rarely empty it back into the bottle. My Lee dispenser has a plastic cover so dust stays out and I verify powder throw on my scale before each reloading session.
If I had a variety of powders? I would completely empty the dispenser each time, just to prevent any possible loading mistakes.
If I had a variety of powders? I would completely empty the dispenser each time, just to prevent any possible loading mistakes.
W.E.G.
Member
The greatest risk of leaving powder sitting in the measure beyond the end of the day's loading session is that you will make a mental error, and you will mix powders.
For that reason, the powder should be left in the measure no longer than the window of risk for that sort of error.
For that reason, the powder should be left in the measure no longer than the window of risk for that sort of error.
dsb1829
Member
Thanks for the input guys. I currently only load 2 powders and they are visibly identifiable (bluedot vs. AA#2).
777TRUTH
Member
When I'm felling tired or lazy I leave powder in the measure overnight. Generally I empty it after each reloading session.
NeuseRvrRat
Member
i only ever have 1 type of powder out of my powder drawer at a time. i know this wouldn't work for some folks with several presses set up simultaneously, but it prevents the mix-ups everyone is warning you about.
LightningMan
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I have a Dillon 550 setup for my cowboy loads only, and haven't emptied it in years. I figure if I keep the lid on the hopper/meter, its the same as having it in a plastic powder bottle. When I start to reload for the season as I live it the northern half of the country, I make several drop checks to make sure powder is flowing properly and charge weight is consistant then away I go. I load everything else on my other press and that one gets the powder changed quite often, but I always leave the current powder canister I'm using next to that press, so I don't have to guess what I have in it. LM
zxcvbob
Member
Is it a single-based powder? (probably not) The NG in double-based powders will react with the plastic hopper.
1SOW
Member
My 9mm n320 pistol powder is single-based--no nitro. The Lee plastic hopper with a lid always has powder in it, as I reload frequently for short periods of time--50 rds or so. It occassionally sits for a few of days. I just add powder when the hopper gets down to 1/3-1/2 full.
Win 231 has been in the hopper for quite a while. I have used other powders including AA#5, but only for a few days.
Plastic is still clear and no problems after several years. Reloader is in a 'freezer' alcove (no freezer
) in an attached garage.
Win 231 has been in the hopper for quite a while. I have used other powders including AA#5, but only for a few days.
Plastic is still clear and no problems after several years. Reloader is in a 'freezer' alcove (no freezer
) in an attached garage.
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sugarmaker
Member
I write the powder type on a small note and wedge it under the cap, it may be there for a month. same for primers in a tube. I also keep only 1 canister of powder out at a time, and 1 type of primer. I'm very rigid on these. My loading area is not exposed to sunlight.
thorn-
Member
I left some HS6 in my hopper for a week or two once, and regretted it... my clear plastic tube is now etched and discolored.
The powder was fine, though.
thorn
The powder was fine, though.
thorn
Actually it may not be, I return the powder after each use to the "opaque" can,1- it's a safety issue, 2-powder will degrade in light perhaps slow but it does happen, I want the best reloads I can get so why risk it for such a small amount of effort.
I confess that powder has stayed in my powder measure longer than I would have liked.
I agree about the single base powders, N310 and SR 7625 seem to do fine staying in the hopper longer. Ruined a couple reservoirs with Titegroup and HS-6.
I haven't seen any negative effects of leaving powder in the hopper other than ruining the tubes.
I agree about the single base powders, N310 and SR 7625 seem to do fine staying in the hopper longer. Ruined a couple reservoirs with Titegroup and HS-6.
I haven't seen any negative effects of leaving powder in the hopper other than ruining the tubes.
Dnaltrop
Member
Titegroup ruins reservoirs??
~~dashes off and clears the hopper from last night now, rather than waiting for the kids to go to bed~~
Well isn't that serendipitous. Good timing on the thread
~~dashes off and clears the hopper from last night now, rather than waiting for the kids to go to bed~~
Well isn't that serendipitous. Good timing on the thread
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