Blending Powder Lots

[wIg SpLiTtEr]

Ok, either a really good question or a really bad question.. Here we go. Say you have 20 pounds of Varget with a total of 4 different lot numbers between them. Would it be a bad idea to blend these lots together and then develop my AR .223 load. In theory, I would imagine as long as you reworked the load from minimum charge one would be alright, but,then again I'm no theorist.. What do you guys think? Anyone ever done or heard of this??

Thanks,
S2K

 

[Clark]

Re: Blending Powder Lots

As long as you label the mix with the lot numbers and amounts and don't get caught using the wife's mixer.

 

[95LTZ]

Re: Blending Powder Lots

I think that you will be just fine. I have done the same thing on a slightly smaller scale over the last 30 years & have never had any problems what so ever. I recently got two 8 lb. jugs of RL33. The side of the jugs said that they were the same lot but I mixed them together anyway. I now have 16 lbs. of the same "lot" of powder. I try to buy enough powder when starting out with a new barrel to shoot that particular barrel "out". I have found that different lots of H4350 can vary up to 1.5 grs. to get the same velocity/accuracy level.
At the end of the day I think it is a wise move.
Semper Fi

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Blending Powder Lots

As long as it is all the same type, Varget for example, it doesn't matter as it is the same type of powder just in different containers. As long as you are not blending different types powders you won't have an issue. I end up doing that all the time as well as opening new boxes of bullet lots and loading and come to think about it - primers too. I just don't mix powders manufactures. I also wouldn't load CCI primers and then change to Federal and then Winchester...that will definitely throw you off.

As I normally shoot steel and not a F class or Bench Rest shooter my differences between lot numbers are not going to be all that different. If I were a Bench Rest shooter than I would pay more attention to it.

 

[insight3b]

Re: Blending Powder Lots

I've done it for years with no ill effect.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: Blending Powder Lots

I always mix it even if it is the same lot number. I work in a plant that makes extrudates (not gunpowder) where we blend lots. The most random way to blend is by pouring thru a funnel. Yes, there is some kind of scientific madness here.

Several different lots? I'd for sure blend.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Blending Powder Lots

Anytime I get 1 pound bottles they get mixed. I haven't mixed eights but see no reason not to.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Blending Powder Lots

I've done it for years. Wood bowl and spoon and then funnel it back into an 8lb container.

 

[EddieNFL]

Re: Blending Powder Lots

Only downside would be if one lot is recalled.

 

[Unknown]

Re: Blending Powder Lots

I do it often. I do it very gently so I do not break or crush any kernels of powder. A clean paper bag gently rotated will mix my powder lots just fine.