Hey guys. The bulk of reloading I do is .38/.357 and .44 mag. For both these cartridges I use Clays (fast) and AA#7 (slow) for target and full power loads, respectively. I've noticed with either powder it's near impossible to get every last bit out of the measure. I keep a good eye when it's throwing charges and make sure the mix comes out homogeneous but for the sake of argument lets say a few flakes of Clays (not grains but individual flakes) gets mixed in with a full magnum charge? Will this sort of low-level cross contamination present an issue?
Small Amount of Unintended Powder Mixing?
- Thread starter WaltWhite
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KansasSasquatch
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I've never noticed an issue with it, but what I do is once I fill my hopper with a different powder I drop 10-15 charges to settle the powder, then dump those charges back in the top of the hopper. I do this in hopes that the very very few flakes of the previous powder will be distributed more widely throughout, so that maybe any tiny bit of contamination won't be noticeable. It also helps to settle the powder in the measure and takes less fine tuning to dial in a load.
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ColtPythonElite
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No problem.
bluekouki86
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I go a bit over board and pull my powder dump apart between different powders. Probably not a huge deal, I'm just "that guy" who is particular about things.
Get a long handle, soft, artist brush. It will reach down in the hopper of the powder measure and help sweep virtually all the grains out through the metering cavity.
The one or two kernels that I may have missed or get someplace that I cannot see, I do not worry about.
Static electricity can make clearing out a powder measure difficult at times. To help combat static electricity in the powder measure, wipe it down with a dryer anti-static sheet, then store the sheet in the measure when the measure is not in use. Over time, the graphite coating on the powders will buildup on the inside of the powder measure and reduce or eliminate the effects of the static.
The one or two kernels that I may have missed or get someplace that I cannot see, I do not worry about.
Static electricity can make clearing out a powder measure difficult at times. To help combat static electricity in the powder measure, wipe it down with a dryer anti-static sheet, then store the sheet in the measure when the measure is not in use. Over time, the graphite coating on the powders will buildup on the inside of the powder measure and reduce or eliminate the effects of the static.
Potatohead
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Interesting, Ive thought about this too. I don't worry much about it though.
I get it all out if even I have to take the hopper off. I also use soft brushes. little paint brushes work.
Bu a couple of flakes of fast powder in a round of slow powder. Nah. You could always mark the first two or three rounds and not use them for testing.
Bu a couple of flakes of fast powder in a round of slow powder. Nah. You could always mark the first two or three rounds and not use them for testing.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Not a problem.
But if you want to get it all out?
Get a can of compressed 'keyboard cleaner' air and blow it out.
rc
But if you want to get it all out?
Get a can of compressed 'keyboard cleaner' air and blow it out.
rc
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I agree, not a problem...
Poper
Member
What he ^^^ says.
It only takes a small squirt or two.
Poper
scythefwd
Member
I pull the slide on my dillon and blow it out as much as possible.. on the lyman I open up the cylinder completely and tap, shake, and brush out the powder..
Crashbox
Member
I never sweat it- I'm still living and have all my digits too.
USSR
Member
Of all the things I'm concerned about when reloading, this doesn't even make the list.
Don
Don
BobWright
Member
Small Amount of Unintended Powder Mixing?
There is intended powder mixing?
Bob Wright
There is intended powder mixing?
Bob Wright
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Oh sure. It's a pretty frowned-upon procedure by 99% of reloading authorities, but it is done. Either "duplex" loads or simply blends of powders. Results vary widely between "huh...," "whoops," and, "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in remembrance of..."
For every process man's invented, someone out there will decide they can go it one better.
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fiftybmg
member
A few flakes here and there is no issue, but if you put powder left over from the measure in the wrong bottle, even if it's only a bit, rather get rid of it.
dickttx
Member
I recently set up my Hornady PM and even after three cleanings all the static is not gone. I got a bottle brush at Walmart. Just fits in the hopper and cleans it out real well.
FROGO207
Member
Hardly worth the worry for a few flakes of propellant to me. However a tap on a hard surface with the measure upside down after dumping the propellant out will get rid of ALL the errant flakes in any of my measures after the particular measure has been used for a while as the graphite coating stops the static cling. You could try rubbing the outside plastic parts with a new dryer sheet to see if that helps stop the static as well.
Catpop
Member
HEY, if a few flakes doesn't matter, can i just mix a little of my recent MYSTERY POWDER back in all along over the next 2-3 years? Huh, Can I, Can I? Tell me I can as I'm a real frugal guy! How frugal, why I can squeeze a buffalo nickel until it hollers for mercy and _____ in my hand!
JUST JOKING GUYS, JUST JOKING! Laugh at 'ole Catpop!
JUST JOKING GUYS, JUST JOKING! Laugh at 'ole Catpop!
THe Dove
BOOMER SOONER!!!
DO YOU FEEL BETTER NOW SAM? Geeeeze.
The Dove
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Do I feel better? What? Huh?
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