Blending Powder
- Thread starter swtp
- Start date
I do that all the time.
And yes it smooths out the lot to lot variances. Remember to do a small back off and re evaluate on your load after the blend. I don’t run super hot loads, so a 1/2 grain drop and a quick string over the chrony is about all I need to do.(308 sized case)
Order 8 pounds, once I’m half way through my previous 8 pounds.
Blend it up in a 2-1/2 gallon plastic pail using a wooden spoon, then split it between the jugs with 8 pounds in one and 4 pounds in the other. When you get close to using the 4 pounder, is when you order more.
And yes it smooths out the lot to lot variances. Remember to do a small back off and re evaluate on your load after the blend. I don’t run super hot loads, so a 1/2 grain drop and a quick string over the chrony is about all I need to do.(308 sized case)
Order 8 pounds, once I’m half way through my previous 8 pounds.
Blend it up in a 2-1/2 gallon plastic pail using a wooden spoon, then split it between the jugs with 8 pounds in one and 4 pounds in the other. When you get close to using the 4 pounder, is when you order more.
Last edited:
Ask Hodgdon, and they'll probably recommend not mixing different lots, but as Lefty Di¢k points out, practically, in the real world, it's done all the time. Some might say that you lose some consistency, but if that's true, or if it even matters, will depend on your exact circumstances and what you're trying to achieve with your reloads.
Blending powders has been a common practice among those that know what they're doing, ever since I started hand loading over sixty years ago.
It's just good common sense to do this.
However, caution on the part of each individual is needed.
Powder does break down over time for many reasons, from poor manufacturing standards to improper storage and even vibration, which causes the coatings to be rubbed off and changes burn rates.
OP, give each of your containers the "sniff test" before mixing them. If you don't notice an acidic smell, they should be fine.
Check for clumping, which is a sure sign powder is breaking down.
Also check for "rust" When powders start to break down they often will have a fine reddish brown powder present, and sometimes they will give off acidic gasses which will cause the insides of metal containers to rust.
If you don't see any of these issues in your containers go ahead and mix them into one large/consistent lot.
DO NOT MIX POWDERS FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS.
Powders such as IMR and H can be significantly different. Usually what happens is the powder with the fastest burn rate will determine the burn rate of the new lot. In my experience, I've never seen such a mix have an in between burn rate.
As long as all of your containers are actually H322 you will be fine to go and have one large consistent lot of H322 powder.
Some people cry "heresy" over this practice, but many competitive shooters do this regularly.
It's just good common sense to do this.
However, caution on the part of each individual is needed.
Powder does break down over time for many reasons, from poor manufacturing standards to improper storage and even vibration, which causes the coatings to be rubbed off and changes burn rates.
OP, give each of your containers the "sniff test" before mixing them. If you don't notice an acidic smell, they should be fine.
Check for clumping, which is a sure sign powder is breaking down.
Also check for "rust" When powders start to break down they often will have a fine reddish brown powder present, and sometimes they will give off acidic gasses which will cause the insides of metal containers to rust.
If you don't see any of these issues in your containers go ahead and mix them into one large/consistent lot.
DO NOT MIX POWDERS FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS.
Powders such as IMR and H can be significantly different. Usually what happens is the powder with the fastest burn rate will determine the burn rate of the new lot. In my experience, I've never seen such a mix have an in between burn rate.
As long as all of your containers are actually H322 you will be fine to go and have one large consistent lot of H322 powder.
Some people cry "heresy" over this practice, but many competitive shooters do this regularly.
Go for it, I’m not a professional but when I get to the end say 1/5 of a can I’ll mix it into the next can since they seem to do the old Potatoe chip trick these days. Use your judgement, if you have 3 cans that are from different decades then maybe hold off. Your nose is your best bet in this situation so stick to bearhunter suggestions.
All areas of life this rule can prevent a bad timeI always do the snif snif test before going down
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
Hodgdon got his start by blending lots of surplus powder together. As long as one hasn’t gone bad or isn’t from a different decade shouldn’t be much of a problem. Chemical makeup of some powders has changed slightly mainly to make some powders less temperature sensitive.
I'd use up the older container first sticking with the load data developed for it, then when that runs out back off a wee bit and work up a load from the new jug. Doesn't make sense to mix and have basically a third powder lot from that needing testing, or having some of an old lot that might be getting closer to turning bad mixed in with good new powder.
Why have three powder lots in the first place? Blend it all together into ONE lot and have at it.
