Let me start by saying I have no interest or desire to mix powders. However, I wonder why this warning is so prevalent. What are the consequences of mixed powders? Do I need to vacuum out the feed hopper when I change powder types, just in case a grain or two of powder is lurking in a corner somewhere? Or is it just because someone might try to change the burn rate on a powder by tweaking with a different powder, and the results are highly unpredictable?
Never Mix Powders
- Thread starter nooooobie
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Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
No, you don't have to worry about a flake or two of powder left over. Yes, you DO have to worry about mixing powders in significant quantities such that burn rates and pressures are highly unpredictable.
dmazur
Member
I wouldn't worry about a grain or two.
This is the reason. There is absolutely no way to experiment with mixing powders safely, and the reward/risk ratio is extremely low.
nooooobie said:
This is the reason. There is absolutely no way to experiment with mixing powders safely, and the reward/risk ratio is extremely low.
carbine85
Member
You should wipe out your hopper when changing powders.
As far as why? You shouldn't ever mix chemicals without knowing what the reaction will be. All powders burn at at different rate. It's hard telling what you will end up with.
As far as why? You shouldn't ever mix chemicals without knowing what the reaction will be. All powders burn at at different rate. It's hard telling what you will end up with.
In this case, "grain" is a poor choice or terms.
Flake, kernel, piece, etc., would be better.
Since for reloading purposes, "grain" is the unit of weight we use. An amount of powder that weighs a grain mixed in with other powder in a charge would cause problems especially in handgun charges.
dmazur
Member
Absolutely correct. I used the OP's term, understanding that "lurking in a corner" meant a very small amount.
Sam1911 made the distinction where I let it pass...
Sam1911 made the distinction where I let it pass...
Fire_Moose
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In all honesty, a grain or 2 of powder in a full Hopper (evenly distributed) prolly wont matter. But that's unlikely to happen. The grain or.2 will be in the first couple throws and can easily cause pressure problems.
Sent from my CZ85 Combat
Sent from my CZ85 Combat
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Just don't refill your half empty powder measure containing IMR-4831 with the can of Winchester 231 setting beside it on the reloading bench..
Keep the one can of powder you are using on the bench.
While you are using it.
Then empty the powder measure off all traces of the old powder you were using as best you can, by blowing it out with an air hose. sucking it out with a shop vac, or turning it upside down and banging it on the bench.
Then put the powder you were using away when you get done using it.
rc
Keep the one can of powder you are using on the bench.
While you are using it.
Then empty the powder measure off all traces of the old powder you were using as best you can, by blowing it out with an air hose. sucking it out with a shop vac, or turning it upside down and banging it on the bench.
Then put the powder you were using away when you get done using it.
rc
witchhunter
Member
I'm with RC, as usual. Only one can of powder on the bench at a time. Always.
Arkansas Paul
Member
This. Every single time.
beatledog7
Member
Yes. One on the bench, and that's always whatever is in the measure. The rest somewhere else.
Matt Dillon
Member
As long as you only keep one powder container t a time on you reloading bench, you'll be ok.
I take the "one powder can on the bench" routine a step farther, i store my powder where I have to get up from the reloading bench and go to the powder storage to get a can.
I still have to be vigilant selecting the correct powder from storage.
I still have to be vigilant selecting the correct powder from storage.
James2
Member
Only one can of powder on the bench at one time.
Only one kind of primers on the bench at one time.
Good rules for safety reasons.
I don't reckon a speck or two of another powder left in the measure would be catastrophic, however, I always make a good visual inspection when I empty the measure and before filling with another powder.
Only one kind of primers on the bench at one time.
Good rules for safety reasons.
I don't reckon a speck or two of another powder left in the measure would be catastrophic, however, I always make a good visual inspection when I empty the measure and before filling with another powder.
32_d3gr33s
Member
True, but usually when switching powders, the first 5 or 6 throws of the new powder i dump back into the top of the hopper. Im a little OCD though so i usually clean the hopper spotless...
Fire_Moose
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Me too. There is no reason 1 or 2 grains should be left in the Hopper. A few granules sure but we covered that.
Sent from my CZ85 Combat
Sent from my CZ85 Combat
gamestalker
member
Some years back I knew a guy that used to build duplex powder charges for his weapons, but it's certainly not a process of reloading I would consider doing, ever. But as for a kernel or two, I doubt it's worth worrying about. As for me, I'm pretty much OCD about good house keeping when reloading, therefore I always wipe out any remaining kernels and residue.
GS
GS
Salmoneye
Member
There were even duplex loads listed in some manuals many decades ago...The fact that no one lists them now should tell us not to play with them...
As for this:
Yes...They are different 'powders', and you should really work up your load again...
Changing one component changes the load characteristics, and this comes down to different lots of the same powder and different lots of the same primer to me...
As for this:
Yes...They are different 'powders', and you should really work up your load again...
Changing one component changes the load characteristics, and this comes down to different lots of the same powder and different lots of the same primer to me...
243winxb
Member
Mixing or Blending Powders
When opening a new container of the same powder, but a different lot number, i would set the powder measure at the same volume. Run both thru the measure & check the weight. Do both lots of powder weight the exact same weight? When switching to a completely different type, i make sure nothing is left behind, before adding the new powder. You want some Bullseye mixed in with your IMR4350??
When opening a new container of the same powder, but a different lot number, i would set the powder measure at the same volume. Run both thru the measure & check the weight. Do both lots of powder weight the exact same weight? When switching to a completely different type, i make sure nothing is left behind, before adding the new powder. You want some Bullseye mixed in with your IMR4350??
oneounceload
member
Depends somewhat on how and what was mixed - eg: - if I was to put 5 grains of Unique into an 8# jug of Universal and shake, any difference would be immeasurable from the loads produced afterwards. Now, if I put that same 5 grains in with 5 grains of Universal, that is something altogether different........
When I get down to a little bit left in one 8# jug of a particular powder, I just dump it into the next 8# jug of the same powder and give it a shake - no big deal - like pouring a fresh cold beer into a glass with a little left over from the first one.
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Comrade Mike
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If its got the same weight/ volume ratio and there's no recalls, I treat it as the same powder. Unless you're right at Max loads, in which I'd back 5 off a grain or so. Otherwise I see it as a waste of time and components to work back up for the same powder every time
Arkansas Paul
Member
I do the same thing, only I usually have 1# cans. When one gets really low, I dump it in the next one, shake and load. Haven't blown myself up yet.
My feelings also...
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