Mixing same powder from different batches.

[Aceshigh109]

Like the title says, if I get two tins of the same powder (e.g.. IMR 3031) but I cannot get the same batch number , is it safe/advisable to to mix the contents of the two tins , thereby evening out any difference or just stick to one until it's finished, then start on the other tin and crono to see if there's a difference in velocity?

Thanks,

 

[diderr]

I do. Never had a problem, but I dont have a single load that pushes max pressures. I think when you get closer to max pressures slight differences between lots might put you over the edge.

 

[Ultraman550]

Good question. From what I've read its fine to mix different lot numbers. I've got 8 1lbers that are all different lot numbers and I've been thinking about just dumping them all into an 8 lb jug but wanted to know if anybody else has done this.

 

[turbo54]

Powder manufacturers advise NOT doing it.

I routinely do it, and have never detected any issues, it's always worked well.

 

[Aceshigh109]

Thanks guys, I'd given it a fair amount of thought and couldn't see a problem, especially as I'm not pushing big velocities but I figured I'd ask.

 

[No1]

You will fine mixing. Your own custom lot # of such and such. Treat it as such.

 

[mdmp5]

If you have 2 lots that are separated by a lot of time, do you really want to worry about 1 batch vs the other when you are done with the 1st batch and have to rework a load? Just mix them together, and problem is solved

 

[jkonzal]

I also agree with mixing. I kept an 8# jug and when I find a pound here and a pound there, I dump them in the jug and shake like hell.

 

[lightman]

One more guy that mixes lots of powder. I usually dump the dregs of the near empty can into the next one that I open and mix them up. I've never mixed 8 pounds before but don't really see a problem. Just make sure its the same powder! Lightman

 

[squishee]

One more guy that mixes lots of powder. I usually dump the dregs of the near empty can into the next one that I open and mix them up. I've never mixed 8 pounds before but don't really see a problem. Just make sure its the same powder! Lightman

Been doin that myself for over 30 years and never had an issue.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Well, okay, I've done it but in this case I wonder about the need? Chances are, the second pound will perform so close to the first that he won't notice a difference in accuracy and the velocity will also be within reason; he might have to add a click of elevation, more or less?

But, as far as shaking this stuff vigorously, I think a better method is to roll it and tumble it slowly, pitch and yaw. What I would want to avoid is "powdering" some of those kernels into dust which would be dumped into the last loaded charge and would drastically alter the burning characteristics. If you can't do that carefully, don't bother blending it. BB

 

[Break Bad]

...But, as far as shaking this stuff vigorously, I think a better method is to roll it and tumble it slowly...

Good tip, but tell that to my UPS man.

 

[BIPMaster]

I would think if you mixed a bunch of 1# cans into one big jug it would make you a custom batch of powder and you wouldn't have to worry about small differences between lots like you would if you loaded from the individual cans.

 

[high right]

Always do it, because I am close to max.

 

[alliegator]

I have done this for years. I never had a problem. I would never do it for max loads.

 

[turbo54]

Just something to stew on....somewhat on topic:

I tried mixing H4350 and H1000 together as an experiment. Admittedly, these two powders have a different kernel size, so the results won't be exactly the same as mixing H4350 with H4350, but....well, take this for whatever you think it's worth:

- I measured out 200gr of H4350, and then 200gr of H1000
- Dumped them into a 1lb powder bottle, and rolled/shook/tumbled it vigorously
- Dumped the mixture into my chargemaster and metered out a 20gr charge
- Separated the 20gr charge back into two piles; one of H4350 and one of H1000
- Weighed the two piles and found about 12.5gr H4350 and 7.5gr H1000

I don't think you can assume you'll wind up with a homogenous "blend" of two powders - even if they are the same make/model of powder - which is exactly what Hodgdon officially claims.

I think blending the same make/model powder is ultimately OK though, because the lot-to-lot differences are minor.

 

[MJY65]

Turbo,
That's a really interesting experiment. Obviously, the longer it was mixed, the better the blend, but I'm assuming you gave it a pretty good effort. I do agree with your assessment that it isn't a good idea to blend different powders, but probably fine to do with different lots of the same powder as long as you aren't pushing max.

 

[mdmp5]

Just something to stew on....somewhat on topic:

I tried mixing H4350 and H1000 together as an experiment. Admittedly, these two powders have a different kernel size, so the results won't be exactly the same as mixing H4350 with H4350, but....well, take this for whatever you think it's worth:

- I measured out 200gr of H4350, and then 200gr of H1000
- Dumped them into a 1lb powder bottle, and rolled/shook/tumbled it vigorously
- Dumped the mixture into my chargemaster and metered out a 20gr charge
- Separated the 20gr charge back into two piles; one of H4350 and one of H1000
- Weighed the two piles and found about 12.5gr H4350 and 7.5gr H1000

I don't think you can assume you'll wind up with a homogenous "blend" of two powders - even if they are the same make/model of powder - which is exactly what Hodgdon officially claims.

I think blending the same make/model powder is ultimately OK though, because the lot-to-lot differences are minor.

Sure you can, you just need to find a cartridge that will hold 400 grains of powder, and presto!

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Piece of advice, never have more than one spec of powder on your bench at any one time. I failed to heed that advice and had to throw out two pounds of otherwise perfectly good powder once.

 

[mdmp5]

Piece of advice, never have more than one spec of powder on your bench at any one time. I failed to heed that advice and had to throw out two pounds of otherwise perfectly good powder once.

I think almost the same thing happened to me, when I forgot what I had last in the chargemaster.

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Wow, radical experiments! But, somebody at Freedom Arms probably figured layered was a better idea than blended. I can see right now, I'm not "cutting edge" material. BB

 

[GhostFace]

I mix different lots of the same powder all the time and i am usually over max with my loads and never a problem. In these trying times its so hard for me to find a keg when i have extra cash so i end up buying a pound here and a pound there...

 

[Aceshigh109]

Yeah, see the problem here where I am in Europe and right now it's not the UK, is that continuity of supply is often a problem, so…
there's no guarantee that if I order two tins of powder I'll get the same batch number, hence the question.

Thanks to all that answered, helped me out a lot.

 

[damoncali]

What's the risk/reward? There is a small but nonzero chance that you'l mix the wrong powder accidentally and a tiny benefit to minimizing lot-to-lot differences. To me, it's not worth it. Keep it simple.

 

[MJY65]

What's the risk/reward? There is a small but nonzero chance that you'l mix the wrong powder accidentally and a tiny benefit to minimizing lot-to-lot differences. To me, it's not worth it. Keep it simple.

With the current challenges in purchasing larger quantities of powder from the same lot, there is actually a fairly significant benefit. Reworking a load from 10% down every time you open a new 1# canister burns a lot of powder for nothing.

 

[damoncali]

With the current challenges in purchasing larger quantities of powder from the same lot, there is actually a fairly significant benefit. Reworking a load from 10% down every time you open a new 1# canister burns a lot of powder for nothing.

I guess I've never actually done that (worked up a new load for a new lot). I've never experienced significant difference between lots of powder - certainly not enough to bother working up a new load. YMMV.

 

[elfster1234]

ill usually push my container of powder down to the very last drop of powder & what ever is left over (usually about a powder drop or two) gets dumped into the next container of powder & mixed up before dumped back into my chargemaster.

Like the title says, if I get two tins of the same powder (e.g.. IMR 3031) but I cannot get the same batch number , is it safe/advisable to to mix the contents of the two tins , thereby evening out any difference or just stick to one until it's finished, then start on the other tin and crono to see if there's a difference in velocity?

Thanks,

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I think almost the same thing happened to me, when I forgot what I had last in the chargemaster.

I try to remember emptying the powder hopper every time before I leave the loading bench. It can help with such issues; but even more importantly, the powder in the hopper is not exposed to conditions (i.e., like humidity, that's a big one) different from the rest of the jug.

Finally, consolidating powder into fewer jugs can save space.

Greg