Identifing powder

[Deadeyejedi]

I have a quick question . While doing some reloading last year I left some powder in my powder measure and now don’t remember what it is . I always make it a point to dump it back into its container when I’m done reloading ( but not this time ) I only have about 4 different powders on hand so I was thinking just putting a small pile together and compare to identify it .being prices of powder these days I’d hate to just dump it.

 

[AJC1]

Just check your log book for the last round loaded....

 

[CQB45ACP]

I have a quick question . While doing some reloading last year I left some powder in my powder measure and now don’t remember what it is . I always make it a point to dump it back into its container when I’m done reloading ( but not this time ) I only have about 4 different powders on hand so I was thinking just putting a small pile together and compare to identify it .being prices of powder these days I’d hate to just dump it.

Only “about” 4 different? Is it 5 or 3? Seems low numbers are easy to count Never mind.

I’ll be interested to see responses on this one. They’ll range from “it must be trashed” to “I do this all the time.” I’m in the former camp & learn from my mistakes.

One exception is if I find loaded cartridges (that I loaded) with now unknown powder I’ll pull a bullet, ident the powder, then resize & reseat the bullet.

 

[buck460XVR]

I have a quick question . While doing some reloading last year I left some powder in my powder measure and now don’t remember what it is . I always make it a point to dump it back into its container when I’m done reloading ( but not this time ) I only have about 4 different powders on hand so I was thinking just putting a small pile together and compare to identify it .being prices of powder these days I’d hate to just dump it.

That may work if your four powders are all different enough to readily identify. Otherwise, I would just dump what you left in the powder measure on the lawn. If it was left in the measure for a year, odds are light and air has gotten to it and deteriorated it.

 

[kidneyboy]

When in doubt, throw it out.

 

[Wildbillz]

Toss it out. Not worth making a mistake.

WB

 

[lightman]

I have a quick question . While doing some reloading last year I left some powder in my powder measure and now don’t remember what it is . I always make it a point to dump it back into its container when I’m done reloading ( but not this time ) I only have about 4 different powders on hand so I was thinking just putting a small pile together and compare to identify it .being prices of powder these days I’d hate to just dump it.

I guess the answer to your question is maybe! If your 4 powders are each very distinctive you may be able to id the one in question. Like if one is a flake powder, one is a ball powder, ect. But don't take any chances. I would probably toss it. The exposure to air and sunlight didn't do your powder any favors.

No to beat up on you but you should be keeping a record book. And you need a powder management plan. My plan is one powder on the bench at a time and only one. I also empty my measure evertime that I'm through with it. Always!

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Let's see....what 10-15 dollars worth of powder thrown out

Or.....missing fingers

Yep hard decision.

 

[AJC1]

Let's see....what 10-15 dollars worth of powder thrown out

Or.....missing fingers

Yep hard decision.

If you load true blue, and tac on the same bench, I'm not trying to guess. Shooters world heavy pistol is the same. I have all 3.

 

[N555]

As long as it's not ballpowder.
AA7, AA9, H110 all look the same side by side, also leverevolution, 748, 760 you can't tell them apart either.
I'll only have one ball powder by the powder measure at once.
Flakes are easy to tell apart.
WST looks like crumbly grey mica dirt, unique is black flakes, green dot looks like unique except it has green marker flakes, CBI is all olive drab green and steel looks a lot like unique but I bet side by side there are different. Unique looks a lot like Steel, it would be bad to mix those 2 up as Steel burns like bluedot.

 

[mdi]

"Last year"? Could be 5 days ago or 11 months ago. How does your powder measure hopper look? But one of the best suggestions would be to check your load logs. (You do keep a log/record of your reloads, don't you?).

 

[WVRJ]

One container on the bench at any given time,powder in the measure only long enough to load it,loads in boxes with date,load and any other remarks on the label,a log book that has each firearm listed and the ammo loaded for it and the date it was loaded.All good things to do if you load 20 rounds or 20,000 rounds a year.Powder is too sensitive to humidity to leave it out in the open for any length of time.If you can properly identify it,you'll have to make a hard decision to use it,taking into consideration what changes may have occurred in it over the time it's been in the measure.Some powders can actually damage plastic tubes on some powder measures.

 

[EricBu]

I have a quick question . While doing some reloading last year I left some powder in my powder measure and now don’t remember what it is . I always make it a point to dump it back into its container when I’m done reloading ( but not this time ) I only have about 4 different powders on hand so I was thinking just putting a small pile together and compare to identify it .being prices of powder these days I’d hate to just dump it.

You'll pay a lot cheaper price if you just dump it and take it as a lesson learned. Every time I fill a measure, it's get's a label with the powder and current throw it's set for. Every time.

 

[Walkalong]

As posted, if your four powders are different enough, you'll be able to tell. I doubt time in the measure inside has hurt the powder.

If your powders aren't very different, and it isn't painfully obvious, toss it.

As posted, one powder on the bench at a time, only the one in the measure, and always return the powder to the jug when you're done is the best option.

Some folks leave powder in the measure, and if you leave the container out with it, and are comfortable with that, it can work.

 

[Deadeyejedi]

I only have 4 powders right now it comes down to iMr4350 or h4350 . The two powders are very similar but I’ll do as suggested and just toss it .about the log book ( I wish I knew where tf is and I wouldn’t have asked the question )Thanks for the replies

 

[Blue68f100]

Do you put labels on your ammo that might have the date, and load specs?

 

[Deadeyejedi]

Good question I do label everything but not with the dates . Sounds like a good practice though would help to identify down the road .

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

One other option: drop a few loads and see if they weigh up with a particular load you know uses a particular powder, and only that powder at that weight.

 

[Bfh_auto]

One other option: drop a few loads and see if they weigh up with a particular load you know uses a particular powder, and only that powder at that weight.

I would at least try this.
But it could be a case of getting ready to load. Then got called to something important and didn't actually set the measure.
I run a loose ship. But I don't leave powder in the measure unless I'm sitting down for the night and doing more in the morning.
Even then I dump my measure most of the time. I have accidentally poured a tiny bit of blue dot into RL22. I think it was subconsciously trying to get rid of the RL22 because I hated it.

 

[AJC1]

One other option: drop a few loads and see if they weigh up with a particular load you know uses a particular powder, and only that powder at that weight.

You could actually test it by loading it as the fastest possible powder and working backward. A 9mm full of tac isn't going to be exactly exciting. Won't blow up but may squib.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

You could actually test it by loading it as the fastest possible powder and working backward. A 9mm full of tac isn't going to be exactly exciting. Won't blow up but may squib.

NOW you're sounding like me! LOL!!
I was curious about how bad some primers were I'd been given that were corroded from salt water. So, did I perform an in-depth analysis using a microscope and titrating solution? Nope! Loaded up into something short barreled and disposable - Polish Makarov - and shot a few. Got a couple of fizzle non-ignitions and bullets stuck in the barrel - not at the same time, thank goodness - after I hammered them out with a cleaning rod, and called it quits at 2 failures in 10 rounds. I'll toss the remaining 500 or so. Not worth the hassles. Gun's fine. I shot some good ammo to make sure. It's just as sloppy and inaccurate as ever.

 

[AJC1]

NOW you're sounding like me! LOL!!
I was curious about how bad some primers were I'd been given that were corroded from salt water. So, did I perform an in-depth analysis using a microscope and titrating solution? Nope! Loaded up into something short barreled and disposable - Polish Makarov - and shot a few. Got a couple of fizzle non-ignitions and bullets stuck in the barrel - not at the same time, thank goodness - after I hammered them out with a cleaning rod, and called it quits at 2 failures in 10 rounds. I'll toss the remaining 500 or so. Not worth the hassles. Gun's fine. I shot some good ammo to make sure. It's just as sloppy and inaccurate as ever.

All I'm saying is a squib or incomplete combustion is waaaaay easier to deal with in an autoloader like a glock. I've yet to bridge the cylinder and forcing cone but I'll forgo that experience as long as possible.

 

[BushMaster-15]

I only have 4 powders right now it comes down to iMr4350 or h4350 . The two powders are very similar but I’ll do as suggested and just toss it .about the log book ( I wish I knew where tf is and I wouldn’t have asked the question )Thanks for the replies

So it's between these two powders ? H and IMR 4350 ?. What are You loading with those powders and are you or were you at maximum loads ?. H is so ever slightly slower than IMR ,so it has higher pressure with same load weight .

A piece of making tape with Powder charge weight bullet and cartridge written on it ,placed on top of your powder measure ,ensures it WON'T ever happen again .

 

[Bcwitt]

Wrap it in newspaper, tape it to a stick & call it a bottle rocket.

 

[AJC1]

So it's between these two powders ? H and IMR 4350 ?. What are You loading with those powders and are you or were you at maximum loads ?. H is so ever slightly slower than IMR ,so it has higher pressure with same load weight .

A piece of making tape with Powder charge weight bullet and cartridge written on it ,placed on top of your powder measure ,ensures it WON'T ever happen again .

So if we're in the same burn rate 9 rounds should tell you which one barring high standard deviations 3 h 3 I and 3 unknown. Choose a load that is below max for all, or one of your standard loads.