Powder Question

johnnyreb65

johnnyreb65

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I've got a Dillon 550 and have just made up a batch of rounds. I've got about 2 inches of powder left in the powder measure tube. How long can I leave the powder in the tube? I'm getting some fresh brass in about 2 weeks and I don't feel like taking the assembly apart.
 
Powder will be fine in the hopper....but technically not properly stored if left there.

My guess is that the powder can be kept in the hopper for quite some time before any deterioration sets in. I would think at least a year...if humidity levels are kept in check.
 
I would'nt

I have about 8 different powders available to me, and a few LOOK very similar. I don't know how many cartridges you load for, or how many powders you have around, or if you experiment with different powders but...It's easy for ME to forget what powder or rifle I was loading for last, and mixing or using data for the wrong powder may be disaster.
If you load ONLY one type of powder it would'nt be an issue other than the storage regulations concerning Powder.
 
I've left powder for months in my 550B's powder hopper/tube. No change in color or smell. Still went bang when needed.

However, I use masking tape to cover-up the vent hole in the aluminum hopper cap and to secure the cap to the hopper tube, effectively sealing the powder in.

My reloading room is in the basement so temperature is pretty much constant at 17-18 deg Celsius.
 
If this is actually an issue, something must be seriously wrong. I have 2 different brands of powder chargers and both are a snap to empty. Making a habit of following good procedures is a way to stay safe. Store your powder properly and keep your gear clean.
 
Thanks all...I'm only loading 1 calibre at the moment, just waiting for some brass to finish off the powder in the hopper , otherwise I clean it out when I'm doen.
 
Any takers are more than welcome to answer my question. I am trying to go lead free with Nosler E-tips ,but can't find any load data for a 180 grain bullet and hodgdon powder.any help would be more than appreciated.
 
nwtguide said:
Any takers are more than welcome to answer my question. I am trying to go lead free with Nosler E-tips ,but can't find any load data for a 180 grain bullet and hodgdon powder.any help would be more than appreciated.
Click to expand...

What's the calibre?
 
How I keep track of what powder is in the hopper

IMG_0385.jpg
 
When I'm using a powder measure and leaving powder in the hopper, I always put a sticky or a piece of tape with the type of powder on it on the lid or facing me.
I have a great memory....its just short . :)
 
wolfen1960 said:
I have about 8 different powders available to me, and a few LOOK very similar. I don't know how many cartridges you load for, or how many powders you have around, or if you experiment with different powders but...It's easy for ME to forget what powder or rifle I was loading for last, and mixing or using data for the wrong powder may be disaster.
If you load ONLY one type of powder it would'nt be an issue other than the storage regulations concerning Powder.
Click to expand...

Agree 100%. I reload for an AR and several pistol calibers and there's not a whole lot of room for error. After scratching my head over the powder more than once these days the bench gets cleaned after every session--just takes a minute or 2 with the 550 and it's one less thing to worry about.
 
I have some rifles that were destroyed by loading rifles with pistol power.

This happens when you think the powder in the hopper is 748, but it is 296. Or, when you empty the hopper of 296 into the 748 can.

leaving powder in the hopper for awhile is ok, except for the danger of forgetting what it is. For this reason I stick a piece of making tape on it with the power type.

If you leave the powder intoo long, it can dry out. This speeds it up. Spoil your laod data. This is why fresh cans seem slower than the old powder.
 
I would not leave it in the powder measure. As mentioned, there are no issues with damage or deterioration, but sometimes a couple of days will stretch to much longer. I find it good housekeeping to empty the hopper. On my Dillon it is a snap to dismount and empty the powder.
 
I have made up some round card board pieces with the powder description printed on them. The cards fit into the powder measure's cover. It's a simple solution and the same as haveing it in its original container. As long as you do your part, there shouldn't be any problem. I also leave the original container handy and put any others back on the shelf. Mnay times we're in to much of a rush to clean up after ourselves or think we're coming right back to what we were working on, life just doen't work that way. So over your back side and leave out the container and use the appropriately marked card on the cover cap.
 
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