Leaving powder in press for too long?

mtbore

mtbore

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I have a Dillon 550B. I haven't loaded for over a month. Yes, I'm ashamed. ;) It's my first pause in reloading since I started. Anyways, I left the powder dispenser half full with Titegroup. The cap is on and I leave my press covered with a blanket but should I be concerned about leaving the powder "out" like this? It's inside, approx 18 degrees, and it's far from "exposed" but probably not as well sealed as if it was back in its can.

Thoughts? Thanks.
 
I haven't started reloading yet myself, but I recall watching a video on youtube and it was mentioned that leaving powder in a dispenser over time can cause a leaching in the plastic cylinder that makes it foggy and discolored. This was for an RCBS dispenser. I don't recall it said that it effects the powder.

Another potential problem though could be identifying the powder if you're using more than one. No doubt there's members who can correct me if I'm in error here though, as again I'm just thinking of getting into reloading and haven't actually started yet.
 
I do it. :redface: I think there is a pretty good seal on the powder containers on my presses, probably not as good as the can though, as has been said. One thing I have noticed is that even with a baffle in the dispenser the powder compresses a bit and the first few loads I dispense are usually a tad heavier. Takes a certain amount of down time for it to happen, of course. Probably a good idea to weigh a number of loads when starting up. In fact, I will admit that I check whether the powder has been sitting or not, and from from time to time during loading too. I'm so proud of myself:D!!!
 
Don't worry about it. I couldn't use my 550 for few months due to knee surgery last winter. I started reloading again with no difference in velocity.
 
BCFred said:
One thing I have noticed is that even with a baffle in the dispenser the powder compresses a bit and the first few loads I dispense are usually a tad heavier. Takes a certain amount of down time for it to happen, of course. Probably a good idea to weigh a number of loads when starting up.
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Yes, I've experienced this also. Mildly annoying. As you say, a bit of extra measuring and tweaking for the first few dozen rounds takes care of it.

I bought an enhanced 550B baffle from another company on the net. Haven't installed it yet. The problem it is designed to reduce is the effect of dropping slightly more powder with a full column of powder versus a little less when it gets low. It was really inexpensive but seemed like a smarter design so I'll report back when I try it.
 
I almost never leave powder in the tubes, it will discolour the plastic. But the main reason is so that I never mix up powders. We use a lot of different powders.

The occasional time I have left powder in the hopper, I wrote the type of powder on a piece of paper and dropped it into the hopper on top of the powder.
 
fyi

http://www.cdnshootingsports.org/legal_info_for_reloaders.html

Store Your Powder Safely

The storage of gun powder is regulated by the explosives act, r.S.C. 1990. you may keep a maximum of 12 kg. In a dwelling if it in a suitable container. this is specified to be a box of 3/4 inch thick wood, no ferrous fittings (use brass, bronze, or glue), be locked and labelled aexplosives@. only 2 kg. Can be out of the box at any one time to be used. this means that when you are finished reloading you must return the unused powder to the locked box. the ministry of energy mines and resources recommends that anyone who contravenes this be charged under the criminal code with unsafe storage of ammunition. to the ministry there is no distinction between black powder and smokeless powder. primers are to be similarly stored.
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