Powder mistake :(

[pacpiper]

So I just finished loading up some .223 with Varget and had about 400 grains left and proceeded to pour it back in the container. As I was closing the lid I noticed I dumped it into my H335 powder.

So the H335 was new and I loaded 150-.223 @ 27g yesterday so I figure I used about 4050 grains.

In theory and if my math is correct, I have a container with about 2950 grains of H335 and 400 grains of Varget.

I guess I'm screwed and should I safely dispose of it now????

I suppose any powder mixing is a major no-no but maybe not.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Expensive mistake that I'll never make again (hopefully)

 

[jfh]

dispose of it. NOW, before you forget. The flowers will appreciate it.

Jim H.

 

[rbernie]

It's fertilizer.

 

[TonyT]

Dispose of it promptly !
I learned my lesson amnd now only have one container of powder in my reloading area at any one time.

 

[T Bran]

If you didnt shake it up maybe you could poke a hole in the bottom of the container and drain out 1500 grains or so and then feed the roses the rest but Id prolly just toss it all and chalk it up to a learning experience. Sorry to hear it.
T

 

[cfullgraf]

Sorry to hear about the powder screw up. Best to dispose of it ASAP.

I keep my powders in a cabinet away from my loading bench. I only get out the powder I am using at the present. When the reloading session is over or if i change powders for a different load, the first powder gets returned to the cabinet before the next powder is removed. It helps minimize the chance of mixing powders by accident.

 

[buck460XVR]

Live and learn. I too only have one can of powder out of the cabinet and on the bench at a time. The one I am using. At least it wasn't a 8# jug.

 

[Furncliff]

Cheap mistake.

The expensive mistake would have been NOT catching it.

 

[Para Cassatt]

It would be tempting to try to seperate the ball powder from the stick powder but I would think that the static cling would make it differcult. Have you tried to seperate it yet? Just curious. I too would probably have to dump it.

 

[gamestalker]

Ya buddy. I made the same mistake a long time ago and have since made it a rule to never have more than one powder on the becnh at a time, the one I'm using.

 

[rfwobbly]

One Possible Remedy

It would be tempting to try to separate the ball powder from the stick powder but I would think that the static cling would make it difficult. Have you tried to separate it yet? Just curious. I too would probably have to dump it.

There's only ONE WAY to get this worked out, and not have to throw the can away.



Stuff your dog into the can, and then yell, "Come on boy. Fetch the stick !"

 

[RandyP]

Powder is cheap, emergency room visits are darn pricey. Guns too if they get blowed up -lol

Till into the soil.

 

[Para Cassatt]

There's only ONE WAY to get this worked out, and not have to throw the can away.



Stuff your dog into the can, and then yell, "Come on boy. Fetch the stick !"

He wouldn't bring it back.

 

[LiveLife]

Expensive mistake that I'll never make again (hopefully)

At least they weren't 8lb jugs!

 

[GaryL]

One option that just occurred to me, which would work given some strong caveats.

One is the 2 powders need to be different enough to easily distinguish between them. I'm not familiar with Varget.

Assuming we are taking about a 1 lb plastic jug that you poured the powder into and have not moved it enough to disturb the contents. You now have a small amount of powder on top of a much larger amount of powder.

Take a stick, gently find the powder level, then mark it on the outside. At about the halfway point, mark it all around. Put the jug in a shallow pan, and gently cut all around - might have to follow with some tape to keep it together to the end. Remove tape, and lift off top part of jug. Most of the mixed powder should flow off the pile. Then take something like a ruler, and carefully scrape the the rest of the powder off.

Now, if there isn't any Varget left in remaining powder, you could pour the remainder of the bottom of the jug into a flat pan, and carefully check it for Varget. If you find any at all, give up and toss it all.

After all that, it's probably better to chalk it up as a cheap $15 mistake/ lesson learned and fertilize the landscaping.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I guess there's no need for me to tell you to dispose of that can of powder and make sure you have only the powder you're currently using on your bench from now on.

 

[pacpiper]

Thanks all!

Boy do I feel stupid but as most have said. a $22 container of powder is NOT worth a trip to the E.D.

Off to the garden I go!!!!

 

[GLOOB]

I'd also give a thought to separating it. If you ever come across the right sized mesh, it might even be easy. For sure, you could get the Varget out of the H335. Not so sure you could get all the H335 out of the Varget. And not sure it'd be worth the effort, either way.

For those that don't know, H335 is a fine black ball powder, almost like sand. Smaller and denser than HP38. Actually, it looks a lot like Auto Comp. It's so dense, you can feel it thumping when you shake a loaded cartridge. Varget is a light yellow stick powder that looks like large, uniform plastic pellets. If you had too much time on your hands, you could probably count the pellets in lieu of a scale.

But I wouldn't leave 'em in the bottle for any length of time before trying to separate them. The off gassing of the powders might not be good for each other.

 

[kingmt]

I would have salvaged it.

Wish people would through there unwanted powder towards me.

 

[Dunkelheit]

Don´t try anything, dispose it immeadiately.

 

[kingmt]

Don´t try anything, dispose it immeadiately.

Why? They are very different powders & unmistakable which one is which.

 

[sig220mw]

15 dollar mistake? Where are you buying your powder? I need to go there also. I haven't seen that price since the early to mid 90's

 

[Dunkelheit]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dunkelheit
Don´t try anything, dispose it immeadiately.

Why? They are very different powders & unmistakable which one is which.

For the same reason you wear eyes and ears and you dont smoke while you are reloading.

Safety comes first.

 

[Mal H]

We need to have a sticky thread with the title of "KEEP ONLY ONE CAN OF POWDER ON YOUR BENCH AT A TIME" and with no text.

This problem comes up so often it's incredible!

 

[W.E.G.]

Shake the container real good, and use the average of the recommended charge weights for each powder?