The importance of powder lot numbers?

Threemorewishes

Threemorewishes

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Does this make any sense or am I worried about nothing...

I have two cans of the same make and model of powder from two different lots. They were both stored in the same place, unopened and not subject to temperature cycling.

Will the reloads from one can be the same as the reloads from the second can?

Should I mix both cans together to make a large batch of my own custom lot?

Thanks for your input.

Threemorewishes
 
"...Will the reloads from one can be the same as the reloads from the second can?..." Close, but not quite. The theory is that you need to work up the load for each lot. The two lots might have a slightly different burn rate, but will be within spec for that powder. It really only matters to long range and benchrest target shooters. For hunting loads it doesn't matter too much.
Do not mix the powders.
 
I doubt that there's anything wrong with mixing powders of the exact same type, at least I do it all the time and still have all my fingers. I'll routinely dump 5-8 pounds into a empty keg and shake it up when I can't buy a keg of what I want. Often I'll do it even when they are the same lot, just to save space on the shelf.
 
sunray said:
"...Will the reloads from one can be the same as the reloads from the second can?..." Close, but not quite. The theory is that you need to work up the load for each lot. The two lots might have a slightly different burn rate, but will be within spec for that powder. It really only matters to long range and benchrest target shooters. For hunting loads it doesn't matter too much.
Do not mix the powders.
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Why Not mix the powders?? If they are the exact same Number (H4831, for example) No harm will come from thoroughly mixing them before starting load development. You will simply have twice as much of one burn rate to use before you will have to redevelop your load with a new lot number of the same powder. I used to buy as much as I could get locally of one number (RL22 comes to mind) Sometimes it was one pound each of 3 or 4 lot numbers. Would mix it all together well and then do development once. This was good until the entire batch was used up. Now if they are in any way different powders (H4831 & IMR4831 for example) Then you must NOT mix them together. Regards, Eagleye
 
After 40 years of reloading, I never worry about lot number changes. Yes, if you are a precision shooter you might. For varmint shooters, IMHO, it's a waste of time unless you have nothing else to do.
I have never seen any significant difference in accuracy between lot numbers. Believe me I have seen plenty of lot numbers in 40 years. As a matter of fact this year is the 40th anniversary of the first RCBS Jr2 press that I bought to get started.
 
i would not mix the two in case of a recall or deciding you may not want all of it. easier to trade an unopened can w/ a buddy.


depending on how fast you'd go through the two lots you may be through the powder before you find out about a recall.
 
I think the QA-QC is a lot better than it was in teh 70s and 80s, I also think the powders from Hodgdon anyway are more tolerant. I do not think its so much to worry about as it once was.
For a percision shooter there is value all the way around for buying bulk 8lbs or greater.
 
Granted, I have not heard of any of the ones I use having a problem, but I did read on Winchesters site not too long ago there was a lot of 22lr having a recall. So I guess its not out of the realm of possibility.

ymmv.
 
Canadian made IMR powders are fairly consistant. I used a bunch of IMR 4350 one pounders ,always, x grains of powder for y F/S.I buy a 8# and low and behold it's x+2 grains of powder for y F/S.
 
aftermidnight said:
Granted, I have not heard of any of the ones I use having a problem, but I did read on Winchesters site not too long ago there was a lot of 22lr having a recall. So I guess its not out of the realm of possibility.

ymmv.
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In your statement you said the powder might be used up before finding out about the recall. Well I guess the recall would not matter with that particular can of powder then would it?
 
no it wouldnt .. but for discussions sake ..

you have half a pound of "x" powder.. you're about to load up a sizable amount of pistol rounds.. so you need another can. some rounds gets used and some sits on the shelf for 'next time'.

then you find out something's amiss. if its all mixed up how would you know whats what? it would be a PITA to have to toss it.

wouldnt be any skin off anyones butt to keep the batches labelled separately, its just another piece of data on the load sheet. we may never hear about CQ issues but i figure whats peace of mind worth? esp when its free.

ymmv.
 
aftermidnight said:
no it wouldnt .. but for discussions sake ..

you have half a pound of "x" powder.. you're about to load up a sizable amount of pistol rounds.. so you need another can. some rounds gets used and some sits on the shelf for 'next time'.

then you find out something's amiss. if its all mixed up how would you know whats what? it would be a PITA to have to toss it.

wouldnt be any skin off anyones butt to keep the batches labelled separately, its just another piece of data on the load sheet. we may never hear about CQ issues but i figure whats peace of mind worth? esp when its free.

ymmv.
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If some rounds got used with no problems, I wouldn't have a problem shooting the rest of it. Apparently, I don't require as much piece of mind.:)
 
Powder recalls do happen, albeit not too often. Just go to the makers web sites and see what has been recalled.

Lot numbers become more important when you are loading at max or near max.

They do have different burn rates, but with the testing and QC, the variation isn't as great.

Treat every batch of powder as new and work your way up to your previous charge weight and watch for the signs.
 
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