Say I've got a couple pounds of Varget (which is known for some inconsistency between lots) with different lot numbers. Would there be any issue with taking it, mixing it together in a big container, and then using it? I'd imagine as long as you mixed it carefully and thoroughly you'd get a more-or-less homogeneous blend of the various lots. I can't imagine there'd be anything unsafe about this since it's all still Varget, and the blending should allow load consistency with the powder. Has this idea ever been covered?
Mixing powder to even out inconsistency?
- Thread starter *Nine
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Re: Mixing powder to even out inconsistency?
For a few years when I first started shooting benchrest I "sieved" or sifted powders. And did indeed mix completely different powders to make one lot.
That being said, I was working under laboratory conditions and had a chemical engineer / explosives engineer who is also a shooter, double checking everything I did so as not to really make a big booboo.
"Powder blending" of different burn rates is not something for the faint of heart. Or anyone who has NEVER made a mistake. But for just blending the same powder, with the same burn rate, with ONLY different lot numbers, I don't really see a problem. Just remember while you have a large amount of a propellant powder in a large container, you need to consider EVERY safety aspect of what you're planning to do. Temperature and humidity are two things I would watch very closely. I know people say that static discharge can't set off powder. I'm not entirely certain that's correct. But why take a chance.
Do it safely and store it back in good clean dry containers. And don't forget to properly mark and label the containers.
Good luck.
For a few years when I first started shooting benchrest I "sieved" or sifted powders. And did indeed mix completely different powders to make one lot.
That being said, I was working under laboratory conditions and had a chemical engineer / explosives engineer who is also a shooter, double checking everything I did so as not to really make a big booboo.
"Powder blending" of different burn rates is not something for the faint of heart. Or anyone who has NEVER made a mistake. But for just blending the same powder, with the same burn rate, with ONLY different lot numbers, I don't really see a problem. Just remember while you have a large amount of a propellant powder in a large container, you need to consider EVERY safety aspect of what you're planning to do. Temperature and humidity are two things I would watch very closely. I know people say that static discharge can't set off powder. I'm not entirely certain that's correct. But why take a chance.
Do it safely and store it back in good clean dry containers. And don't forget to properly mark and label the containers.
Good luck.
Re: Mixing powder to even out inconsistency?
I figure I'll mix it in a huge metal bowl I have, to avoid issues with static like you can see with plastic buckets or the like. I don't smoke or anything, so I'll just be sure there are no ignition sources nearby. I'll store the powder back in the original Varget bottles when I'm done.
I figure I'll mix it in a huge metal bowl I have, to avoid issues with static like you can see with plastic buckets or the like. I don't smoke or anything, so I'll just be sure there are no ignition sources nearby. I'll store the powder back in the original Varget bottles when I'm done.
Re: Mixing powder to even out inconsistency?
Everything should be fine if all precautions are taken.
Everything should be fine if all precautions are taken.
Re: Mixing powder to even out inconsistency?
I've been mixing varget for the exact same reasons for years.
I've been mixing varget for the exact same reasons for years.
Re: Mixing powder to even out inconsistency?
I ALWAYS do it. I never get to empty one bottle and start another.
I ALWAYS do it. I never get to empty one bottle and start another.
Re: Mixing powder to even out inconsistency?
i have done this with BLC-2, found that it was more consistent, accuracy wise than a single lot, i had 4 one pound containers i bought over a year or two span, at the time an older more experienced reloader than i, suggested i do that after i told him about my accuracy problems, he said, "back in the old days of smokeless powder (most are extinct today) we done that because the powder lots varied too much"
i have done this with BLC-2, found that it was more consistent, accuracy wise than a single lot, i had 4 one pound containers i bought over a year or two span, at the time an older more experienced reloader than i, suggested i do that after i told him about my accuracy problems, he said, "back in the old days of smokeless powder (most are extinct today) we done that because the powder lots varied too much"
Re: Mixing powder to even out inconsistency?
I frequently put the last couple loads worth of an almost empty pound into the next container and mix it up. That way I can start right into the next container for my next reloading session.
I frequently put the last couple loads worth of an almost empty pound into the next container and mix it up. That way I can start right into the next container for my next reloading session.
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