Mixing H110 and W296

[Balrog]

I am about to reload a batch of about 400 rounds of 44 magnum. I have a little bit of H110, maybe enough for 50 rounds. I have a couple of pounds of W296.

These powders are supposed to be the same, but I hate to run 50 rounds with one, and the rest with the other. I am thinking about mixing the two together to get a consistent blend, and then loading with that.

Has anyone ever done this, or am I just talking plain loco?

 

[Gik-tal]

you know there is nothing like a good explosion with the 4th coming and all.

 

[Slamfire]

You know a couple of months ago I would have told you, go mix the stuff.

Now I am not so sure.

I read on another page where a propellant expert said don't because the ?burn rate additives? are not matched between lots. My memory was that he was warning that mixing different lots could result in burn rate instability.

That could be.

If that is true, I have been acting very dangerously for a couple of decades, I have been adding the last quarter pound of an old can to a new can.

One thing, don't mix lots from powders of widely different ages. Like 60's stuff with 2010 stuff. The problem is that powder has a shelf life. The Army scraps double base at 20 years, single base 45 years. You mix a batch of powder that is outgassing nitric acid, because it is at the end of its shelf life, you will ruin the good powder.

 

[Balrog]

The two powders are the same, and I was wanting to mix them primarily to smooth out any lot to lot variation... not too worried about exploding anything.

 

[ljnowell]

You know, my gut says no. With two powders that are supposed to be the same, you wouldnt think it would matter. I mean, if I have a hopper half full of 2400 and its the last of the bottle, i open a new one and dump it in, never had any 4th of july explosions from that. However, as much as they are supposed to be the same, I cant bring myself to mix powders that are "different". I guess I am just a chicken.

 

[copdills]

powders of the same kind vary from one lot to another, I would just finish up the h110 and then start on the win 296 , but thats just me, be careful my friend

 

[Curator]

why not go ahead and load what you can with the one and mark the loads? Then you can compare the loads using the other powder.I use magic marker on the primer to denote different loads. Using this method (and my trusty Chrony) I have determined that Win680 and Accurate 1680 are identical. Personaly I have believed that W296 is closer to AA#9 and hotter than H110,

 

[redneck2]

H-110 and WW-296 are the same powder. Not close, they're the same. And that comes from the manufacturer.

That said, burn rate may vary between lots. Personally, I'd run what you've got until the measure is close to dry, Fill it up, and start loading.

I'm pretty careful about what I do. I like my guns and really would like to keep my body parts. That said, sometimes we get WAY over the top worrying about petty stuff.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

This conversation running over and over is getting very old, very fast.

Hodgdon has stated without a doubt H110 and W296 are the same exact powder. In these days of litigation at the drop of a hat no company would say such a thing unless it were completely true. You people can believe what you want but I tend to believe the company who distributes the powders. Do we really have to do this once a week??

 

[buck460XVR]

Personaly I have believed that W296 is closer to AA#9 and hotter than H110

H110/W296 are the exact same powders marketed under different brand names. Have been told this personally from a Hodgdon rep.

To the O.P. If you are unsure about mixing them, hold off and load your 400 rounds with your W296. E-mail Hodgdon and ask them if it is safe. I have always gotten quick and courteous responses from them. When you get an answer get back to us here.

Me, I would mix them together, just like I do with other "tail-enders". Especially if it was just a few ounces to two pounds.

 

[Eb1]

If they are the same why does it matter if you mix it or don't mix it?

The question sounds like your about to run out of A1 for your steak, but you have a new bottle. Instead of using up the old bottle which is A1 and tastes like the new bottle your wanting to mix the old bottle with the new bottle, and still have something that tastes like, well... A1.

I don't know. Seems frivolous to me. Use one up, start with the other. Besides. Two pounds of WW-296 will load 400 rounds of 44 Magnum. Will it not? Why even bother with the H-110 if makes you question your actions?

 

[hydraulicman]

go buy more w296 and then load them. don't mix powders that's silly

 

[Eb1]

why buy more 296? he has two #s.

 

[Sport45]

I've mixed W231 and HP-38 before (same logic), so I say go for it.

But, rather than mix them, I'd just put the last of the H110 in the hopper and then top it off with W296. Don't exceed the most recently published maximum loads for the powder without dropping 3% and working back up.

 

[Clarence]

I don't mix different lots of the same powder. No reason to do it. Its just as easy to let the hopper get empty and then fill it up with powder from the new can.

 

[Balrog]

I don't mix different lots of the same powder. No reason to do it. Its just as easy to let the hopper get empty and then fill it up with powder from the new can.

Why not mix?

 

[Eb1]

Why not mix?

Let's see. For some reason you had an accident. You were injured or someone else was injured. You used the recommend charges by the powder company. In the investigation you were asked what lot you used, and they wanted some powder for testing. You would not have that information.

It doesn't have to be an accident where someone got hurt. You had a kaboom. You want compensation for your rifle. You don't have a lot number for them.

Opps.. There is a recall. But darn. You mixed your powder. So instead of loosing a # of powder. You have to dump all of it.

Mixing peas and taters is a good idea. I don't see why you want to mix your powder. You have enough of one type to load 400 rounds using the 296.
Are you trolling? I am not trying to insinuate you are wrong or right, but I just don't understand what you are tying to accomplish. I understand the question, but it seems that it doesn't need to be asked, my friend.

 

[Balrog]

It doesn't have to be an accident where someone got hurt. You had a kaboom. You want compensation for your rifle. You don't have a lot number for them.

Why would I ask for compensation for a rifle I kaboomed using reloads withor without mixed powder? I am a big boy and if something blows up, I aint gonna sue the manufacturer LOL.

Opps.. There is a recall. But darn. You mixed your powder. So instead of loosing a # of powder. You have to dump all of it.

So I lose 1.25 pounds instead of 1 pound. Big deal.

Are you trolling? I am not trying to insinuate you are wrong or right, but I just don't understand what you are tying to accomplish.

Please don't feel obligated to respond if you think I am trolling. I dont know how you can accuse someone of trolling and in the same breath say you aren't trying to insinuate whether they are right or wrong. The bottom line is I have a little bit of H110 I would like to use up. Since it is exactly the same same as W296, made on the same line, to the same specifications, and on nearly the same date, my question was why not blend the two so the H110 doesnt just sit there unused for the next forever.

I understand the question, but it seems that it doesn't need to be asked, my friend.

Yet you choose to answer a question that you think doesn't need to be asked? Not much on TV tonight I guess.

Thanks for the input though. I have sent an email to Hodgdon, we will see what they say. The only reason I ask the question is because W296 and H110 are the same powder.

I am curious, if you were loading with a certain powder, and you used up a bottle and open a new one, do you clean out your hopper completely before adding more of the same powder from a new bottle?

 

[Sport45]

Mixing peas and taters is a good idea.

I'd mix W296 and H110 long before I'd ever think of mixing peas and taters. That doesn't sound good at all.

But I guess we're each different, aren't we?

 

[R.W.Dale]

I've always mixed lots of the same powder. Be it when one container runs low or if I end up with two containers of diffrent lots that are full.

I use h110 / 296 data and powder interchangeably sometimes bimply based on what's cheaper.

So yes I'd mix the tail end of one powder into a new lb so as to make one uniform lot to load your 400rds from.

And no I don't work back up for diffrent lots as I don't own any guns that'll explode even if you added an extra 10k psi

 

[Mal H]

Such drama!

Mix 'em if you wish. How in the world is a powder that is clearly stated to be the same as another powder going to make a firearm magically explode as long as proper loads are used? Different burn rates? - Maybe, but not enough different to make a safe load suddenly unsafe.

The only caveat is that you heed Slamfire1's good advice and "don't mix lots from powders of widely different ages." That's important.

 

[Grumulkin]

HELLO out there!!!

They're the SAME powder. In addition I've mixed them before and will again if I ever have both H110 and Win. 296 around.

 

[Walkalong]

The only caveat is that you heed Slamfire1's good advice and "don't mix lots from powders of widely different ages."

Every time I change lots of a powder I check its density vs the last lot. If they are real close I have no problem mixing the last of the old with the new. If it is not, I use up the old. There is almost always a little bit of difference, especially, as noted already, if the lots are years apart.

Last lot (2005) of N340 was 46.6 on my 10X to get 9.1 Grs. This Lb I just bought (2009) takes 48.1 to get 9.1 Grs. I will probably buy a 4 pounder next. Almost did this time.

I used the old N340 until it was less than an inch worth in my hopper and mixed it thoroughly into the new can. I had to change the setting on the 10X measure to get the weight I wanted with the powder that low.

 

[Eb1]

I refuse get into a bickering match with you. Your a grown man, and have the right to do as you wish.

Also I answered because. All the talk of safety on the board and the dos and do nots. This one seems to break the rules of safety (i will explain later why I say this).
Everyone is read the book, stick to the book, but then the guys are going to say Mix, Mix, Mix. The only thing I see is Mixed signals.

But to all of the people of the high road. You are sending mixed signals to users, and going against all of the rules of hand loading books that you repeatedly advise people to use as their guides to safe reloading by advising users to mix powders. Be it "the same" or not. This is disturbing that it would be encouraged here.


Not trying to be a trouble maker. Just going by what is stressed here over and over.

 

[qajaq59]

Why not load the 50 and then do the rest with the other powder. If it's the same powder you don't need to mix them.