Leaving powder in a powder measure hopper?

Mike_R

Mike_R

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Ok, I'm ready to fill my powder drop with powder and set it up. I have done everything else!

I am wondering, how long can I leave powder in the powder measure hopper? Is it ok if it takes me a month to use up the powder? I am only reloading 9mm for now, and I believe one pound of powder will reload almost 1500 rounds. I only have 500 bullets, and will have to wait for payday (end of the month) to get more. I imagine as long as the seal is on top of the hopper it should be fine. Yes, the room is kept cool and dry thanks to an air conditioner.

Just to be sure there are no settling problems inside the powder measure, or something weird that I have not thought of.

Thanks,
Mike
 
Settling won't be a problem. Somebody bumping it the hopper and sending the powder all over creation might be though. Leaving powder in the hopper still isn't a great idea.
 
I have been told by several people that there is a good possibility that leaving powder in the hopper does not constitute safe storage & could present a problem.

Seems rather petty if true but ??
 
Never mind, for now, about legal rules, just use good, common sense rules. And that includes putting the powder back in its original container, everytime you quit loading.
As of now, you likely have only one type of powder, but someday you may have several. The most common type of serious accident from reloading comes from accidentally loading the wrong powder. Get in the habit of doing it right.
When you are ready to dispense powder in the cases, get the proper powder from where you store it and fill your powder measure. Then set the container of powder in plain view on your loading bench. When you are through loading, put the powder back in its container and put away the container of powder.
There should only be one type of powder on your loading bench at a time, and that is the powder you are using at the moment.
 
H4831 said:
Never mind, for now, about legal rules, just use good, common sense rules. And that includes putting the powder back in its original container, everytime you quit loading.
As of now, you likely have only one type of powder, but someday you may have several. The most common type of serious accident from reloading comes from accidentally loading the wrong powder. Get in the habit of doing it right.
When you are ready to dispense powder in the cases, get the proper powder from where you store it and fill your powder measure. Then set the container of powder in plain view on your loading bench. When you are through loading, put the powder back in its container and put away the container of powder.
There should only be one type of powder on your loading bench at a time, and that is the powder you are using at the moment.
Click to expand...
Well stated. Good rules for safety.
 
1 tip that I use is, tape a note to the powder measure with the bullet type and weight, powder type and weight on it, that way there will be no accidents (or stupids).
 
Wow... ok, so that settles that.

I will empty the powder measure back into the original packaging after using it.

I never thought of it as a safety concern, as I have a room dedicated to reloading, locked and all. But it makes sense.

I will eventually have more than one powder, so getting in the habit of labeling the powder and load, and labeling the hopper when a powder is in it is a good idea.

Thanks as always,
Mike
 
H4831 said:
Never mind, for now, about legal rules ...
Click to expand...

As I understand the regs, you would be open for charges if you left powder in your powder measure while it's not in use as it's not being "stored" properly. Splitting hairs, stupid, what ever you want to call it, the regs are what they are and I would suggest you follow them.
 
TPK said:
As I understand the regs, you would be open for charges if you left powder in your powder measure while it's not in use as it's not being "stored" properly. Splitting hairs, stupid, what ever you want to call it, the regs are what they are and I would suggest you follow them.
Click to expand...

I think I misunderstood your reply, so no further comment. I edited out the comment I made.
 
H4831 said:
I think I misunderstood your reply, so no further comment. I edited out the comment I made.
Click to expand...

No worries, the points you raised about safety and the opportunity for mistakes to be made when dealing with more than one powder at time are very valid. Really, the things you suggested are WAY more important than the actual "laws" around re-loading and powder storage but we still have to abide by the laws... and that was all I was trying to impress.
 
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It's embarrassing to admit the number of times I've forgotten, and ended up dumping that last bit of powder in the measure.
Damn, what powder was that?
How long ago?
Crap, and I end up spreading it on the lawn.
Like the others, my usual routine is to dump it back in the original container. Much safer, and cheaper.:redface:
 
Found with my Lee 1000 that once you turn the powder off there are still 2.5 measures in the feed, you may want to check your equipment for the same - switch powders in the hopper yet your first 2.5 measures will be something different...

On a side note, you may also want to verify the measurement every so often to ensure you are getting the load you think you're getting (lube from bullet not sticking/clogging die affecting measure). You may also want to ask a fellow CGNr for some help the first time, one of the board members here spend several hours helping me set up the equipment and guide me through the process - was very helpful and appreciated.
 
Yep. I've got to agree with everybody here. Empty it. I'm just like Mr Cannuck. You'll get distracted....wife calls you for dinner...whatever. You'll get doing other things....three days later you'll be trying to remember what powder that was. I've probably thrown out half a pound over the past year because of this. Just empty the thing.
 
The reason I said to leave the powder container in plain view on the bench, is because of that very reason, forgetting what powder is in the measure. Just look at the container and that is the type powder, because it is the only container on the bench and it stays until you stop loading, then the powder is returned to the can.
I think we have all had that moment of lack of concentration for a bit. Also, if the container isn't there in front of you, a lapse of concentration can get you worrying if the powder you are loading, is actually the powder you intended to use. Has anyone else pulled bullets because of this?
 
H4831 said:
The reason I said to leave the powder container in plain view on the bench, is because of that very reason, forgetting what powder is in the measure. Just look at the container and that is the type powder, because it is the only container on the bench and it stays until you stop loading, then the powder is returned to the can.
I think we have all had that moment of lack of concentration for a bit. Also, if the container isn't there in front of you, a lapse of concentration can get you worrying if the powder you are loading, is actually the powder you intended to use. Has anyone else pulled bullets because of this?
Click to expand...
That was the meaning or intent I got from what you said.
 
lineofsight said:
Found with my Lee 1000 that once you turn the powder off there are still 2.5 measures in the feed, you may want to check your equipment for the same - switch powders in the hopper yet your first 2.5 measures will be something different...

On a side note, you may also want to verify the measurement every so often to ensure you are getting the load you think you're getting (lube from bullet not sticking/clogging die affecting measure). You may also want to ask a fellow CGNr for some help the first time, one of the board members here spend several hours helping me set up the equipment and guide me through the process - was very helpful and appreciated.
Click to expand...

I always check the load with my scale and after i change anything I cycle several loads (dumped by into the hopper) through it before I weigh it.
 
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