Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-05-2009, 05:08 PM
Zackary Zackary is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
Liked 139 Times in 29 Posts
Default Leaving powder in powder measure

How long can you leave powder in an closed powder measure on a press ( for me a Lee turret press) before it affects its performance/quality? I try to make sure it is no longer than 2 weekends. My press set-up is in my machine barn ( which I only heat when I need to work on my tractors/machinery ) and unfortunately it's snowing here in upstate N.Y. today. I'm concerned about the powder picking up moisture. Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and expertise.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-05-2009, 05:11 PM
warder warder is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

SIMPLE TAKE IT OUT AND PUT IT IN ITS TIN .
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-05-2009, 05:17 PM
500 Magnum Nut's Avatar
500 Magnum Nut 500 Magnum Nut is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Connecticut, USA
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
Liked 144 Times in 48 Posts
Default

I'd just empty it. It will discolor the hopper, and the power will absorb moisture affecting the weights as you check your loads.
__________________
NRA Benefactor Member
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-05-2009, 05:35 PM
Dan Cash Dan Cash is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Western North Dakota
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 9 Posts
Default

I leave powder in Dillon measures for prolonged preiods with no ill effects. In some cases, the measure is set up for a load such as .45ACP and is never emptied. Of course, the contents are distinctively marked. If you are concerned about moisture affecting the propellant place a small packet of deiscant or make up a small packet of rice in a paper towell and place it in with the powder.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-05-2009, 06:30 PM
Skip Sackett Skip Sackett is offline
Banned
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hoosier Land!
Posts: 4,379
Likes: 587
Liked 576 Times in 307 Posts
Default

1st: Temperature swings is going to cause moisture no matter what you store the powder in, closed container or open powder measure.

2nd: Are there any young folks around that can get at the powder more easily when it is in the measure? Even if they have been taught not to touch such things, temptation can be great for a child. No use putting it right before them.

3rd: What keeps you from putting it back? It takes like two seconds to remove the turret and the lid to the measure and dump it back in it's container.

4th: It will discolor the container. Not a big deal but, to some, aesthetics is everything.

All of that being said, I will leave powder in a measure only if I am going to continue loading that cartridge the next day or I am working up a load and will run more of that powder within a short amount of time, no more than a couple of days.

My reloading room can be locked so curious eyes could be kept out. Although all I have left at home is a 17 year old girl that doesn't show any interest in reloading!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-05-2009, 06:42 PM
VAdoublegunner's Avatar
VAdoublegunner VAdoublegunner is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 10
Liked 78 Times in 51 Posts
Default

Hygroscopic qualities can be bad with some powders, less so with others. It can affect charge weight, but more importantly may lead to clumping, which I have experienced. If that happens, you may get a clump that partially to totally blocks the measure chamber so that you get erratic sub-charges. Besides poor accuracy it is a good way to get bullets stuck in your barrel then have to pull a bunch of loads. This is a "learn the hard way" example.

Also, I have noticed that leaving powder in my Hornady L-N-L hopper has caused it to swell. It is a hard poly type plastic rather than the type RCBS uses. Not a problem to fix, Hornady took care of it. But it is yet another reason to return powder to the can after you are finished.
__________________
" I said, good DAY! "
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-05-2009, 08:03 PM
Old 44 Guy Old 44 Guy is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sierra Nevada foothills
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 4
Liked 4,385 Times in 1,672 Posts
Default

Empty it each time.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-05-2009, 08:24 PM
Raider Raider is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 107
Liked 387 Times in 188 Posts
Default

I've left Unique and 231 in powder measure hoppers for years without ill effects. Depends on the humidity and temp its stored in. Probably best to put it back in the can though to be safe. YMMV.

Charlie
__________________
SWCA # 2294
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-05-2009, 09:47 PM
Andy Griffith's Avatar
Andy Griffith Andy Griffith is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Out for the duration
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 62
Liked 520 Times in 264 Posts
Default

For myself at least, it isn't the humidity I worry about...

The danger is thinking it is one powder, when it is actually another!

If you only use one powder for everything, you have nothing to fear.

For me at least, it's best I put it back in the can.
__________________
Lost it all in a boat accident
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-05-2009, 10:11 PM
ncbengal ncbengal is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Nawth Carolinah
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Default

Powder is light sensitive, too, and according to what I read continued exposure to daylight will degrade. Ever see smokeless powder sold in anything but opaque, black containers? Pour it back!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-05-2009, 10:43 PM
oldRoger oldRoger is offline
US Veteran
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Citrus County, Florida
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 21
Liked 218 Times in 110 Posts
Default

I am by no means a particularly neat sort guy as my wife can testify. But, I always empty it no later than the end of the day.
I can think of lots of reasons to empty it, many of you have mentioned some of them. I would add one, when you step away from the bench there is no guarantee when you will back, or if. Someone may be cleaning up after you.
I have been unable to come up with a single reason to leave powder in the hopper.
__________________
Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12-05-2009, 10:44 PM
Nimrod44 Nimrod44 is offline
SWCA Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 317
Likes: 41
Liked 328 Times in 65 Posts
Default

Do any of you guys remember the old Skeeter Skelton story about this? It seems he left powder in a hopper for a period of time then loaded some handgun rounds. This was when he was in some sort of law enforcement and responded to an accident with some injured livestock. Some of the stock needed to be destroyed so Skeeter began shooting only to have his cast bullets bounce off the skulls of several cows. He determined after further investigation the plastic in the hopper had an effect on the powder. This article was "Skeeter's Cow Killer Loads" if I remember correctly, very funny and a long time ago.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 12-05-2009, 11:42 PM
DougE's Avatar
DougE DougE is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Richmond, KY
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 3 Posts
Default

I empty out my powder measure when I'm done with a reloading session and label it for the powder/charge I was using. May not be necessary but that's how I do things.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 12-06-2009, 12:55 AM
Vulcan Bob's Avatar
Vulcan Bob Vulcan Bob is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: central pa
Posts: 5,336
Likes: 2,745
Liked 2,492 Times in 1,182 Posts
Default

Some powders do affect the plastic part of the hopper and those I will not leave in. Unique and 2400 seem to be alright and I will leave them in. I use a piece of duct tape on the hopper to label the powder and charge weight thats in the hopper and leave the container of powder on the bench behind the measure as an additional reminder of whats in there. I have no children at home now and my man Cave is sorta dark as I use one of those wooden slat blinds on the window so no direct light hits the hopper.
__________________
Stay safe people!
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 12-06-2009, 01:21 AM
special44 special44 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East KY
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Default Leaving powder in powder measure

The best, and certainly the safest practice,is to empty the measure into the powder's original container. By so doing, one does not have to worry about the effects of light, interaction with the measure's plastic reservoir over time, nor hygroscopic qualities of any powder.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 12-06-2009, 08:47 AM
cptdco cptdco is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SE Pa
Posts: 630
Likes: 7
Liked 107 Times in 39 Posts
Default

I sometimes (well, often) leave my press set up (with powder in the hopper) for weeks if I'm doing a big run of a particular cartridge. Never had any ill effect that I could detect. I've never detected any discoloration of the plastic in the Lee powder measure, and if I have it set to throw a certain grain weight on Monday, it seems to throw that same weight when I get back to it on Thursday. (I do have an old RCBS uniflow that I bought used 30 years ago that had badly discolored plastic when I bought it.) As for the safety issues, I still only have one powder in use at a time, and I keep the container on the table until I'm finished with it, the scale is set for the weight I'm set up to throw, and when I've been away for a day or a week, I'll weigh the first one or two I throw. Continues to work for me!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 12-06-2009, 10:47 AM
jchapm9 jchapm9 is offline
US Veteran
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

I've got acouple Dillon's and a Lee. I make it a point to always return the powder to it's original container. It's easy and I would'nt want to mix them up by accident.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 12-06-2009, 01:49 PM
n4zov's Avatar
n4zov n4zov is offline
US Veteran
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: S.E. USA
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 0
Liked 63 Times in 37 Posts
Default

Unless I am coming back to continue reloading very soon, I empty the measure. Leaving powder in the measure just introduces another variable that might cause an overcharge: "I think I left the measure full of Unique two weeks ago or was it Bullseye, oh, I'm pretty sure it was Unique." Also some powders can cause deterioration of the plastic hopper if left in for prolonged periods.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 12-06-2009, 02:18 PM
blastfact blastfact is offline
Banned
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
Liked 52 Times in 8 Posts
Default

I always put the powder back in its container.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 12-06-2009, 05:40 PM
Rafter-S Rafter-S is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Telephone, Texas
Posts: 111
Likes: 14
Liked 46 Times in 19 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by n4zov View Post
...Leaving powder in the measure just introduces another variable that might cause an overcharge: "I think I left the measure full of Unique two weeks ago or was it Bullseye, oh, I'm pretty sure it was Unique."...
THAT is the reason I put powders back into their proper storage containers.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 12-06-2009, 05:49 PM
Beans Beans is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Southern Az Territory, Border County
Posts: 494
Likes: 16
Liked 50 Times in 21 Posts
Default

I have left powder in a Dillon hopper and a RCBS powder drop for a long time ( several weeks), however I just purchased a RCBS electronic powder measure, the one with the attached scale.

I left bullseye powder in it over night and now the interior of the powder measure/hopper is pitted and rough. When I turn the powder dump knob on the right side of the machine the powder just stay in the machine hopper and I HAVE to us a long handle artist bush to remove the powder.
__________________
Semper FI
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 12-08-2009, 01:14 AM
oldRoger oldRoger is offline
US Veteran
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Citrus County, Florida
Posts: 2,073
Likes: 21
Liked 218 Times in 110 Posts
Default

As I said I can think of lots of reasons to dump the powder back in the can, takes about 4 minutes, all of you have added some reasons I hadn’t considered.
I have not yet read what I would consider a good reason to leave it filled.

My progressive is set-up for 10mm, I had planned to load another 400rds, however I need to do a final range check, and three weeks have passed without me getting there. It may come to pass with the holidays that it will be another three weeks. Too long for powder to stay in the hopper in my view.
__________________
Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 12-08-2009, 12:50 PM
scattershot's Avatar
scattershot scattershot is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 166
Liked 977 Times in 489 Posts
Default

If there is any doubt, just put it back in the container. I empty mine after each reloading session. It's just too easy to confuse which powder is in the hopper after an absence of a few days, not to mention that it's not in a sealed container.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 12-08-2009, 01:09 PM
epj's Avatar
epj epj is offline
US Veteran
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 227
Liked 2,397 Times in 1,081 Posts
Default

I leave the powder in the powder measure on my Dillon. I use the same powder for everything I load, so no danger of a mixup. The basement is cool, dry, and dark. No adverse effects so far. Been doing this for years, Just plain laziness, I guess. Actually though, the way I load I need to do this. I may get ten minutes here and there to load. Sometimes I may load as few as 25 rounds, go away, and later that day load another 50 or 100. May not get back for several days, may be back in an hour. Sure doesn't hurt anything to empty the measure, but depending on the circumstances it may not hurt anything to leave it.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 12-08-2009, 10:11 PM
johnjohn's Avatar
johnjohn johnjohn is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Baton Rouge La.
Posts: 199
Likes: 1,969
Liked 103 Times in 59 Posts
Default

I dump mine after each session. I got enough stuff on my poor feeble mind to worry about than what's in the powder measure.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 12-09-2009, 10:58 AM
canoe on the yukon canoe on the yukon is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Liked 36 Times in 10 Posts
Default

I side with those who say to put it back in the can.If one is in the middle of a project (load development,etc),I see no harm in leaving it in the hopper for a few days but beyond that,I can't see any reason at all for doing so.Since putting it back in the can is so easy,why would you even take the risk?
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 12-17-2009, 06:24 PM
Scrapper's Avatar
Scrapper Scrapper is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: FL
Posts: 472
Likes: 711
Liked 95 Times in 50 Posts
Exclamation

Always put the powder back in the original container don't take any chances. Be SAFE not sorry.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 12-17-2009, 08:03 PM
nitesite's Avatar
nitesite nitesite is offline
Member
Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure Leaving powder in powder measure  
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Morgan County Alabama -
Posts: 440
Likes: 156
Liked 134 Times in 58 Posts
Default

I have four presses. Only one of them has ever seen powder stay in the powder measure past midnight the day I poured it in. It's a MEC 600-Jr that I keep "set up" for my boys and I to load 7/8-oz 20-ga loads using Unique.

It's the only powder I have ever used for 20-ga and that's the way it will stay so "no worry about what is in it". There's a hood over the powder bottle to prevent light and also make any temperature changes very minimal.

Everything else gets emptied when I am done for the day.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 12-19-2009, 04:35 PM
WILDCATT WILDCATT is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MANNING SC
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default powder

if its double base the nitro will leach out in to some measures plastic.
lyman is one plastic.I use address lables and mark the powder and charge
that at least tells me what the measure is set for.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
45acp, bullseye, cartridge, hornady, rcbs, skeeter, skelton

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Powder measure.... HELP! rwsmith Reloading 14 03-18-2013 09:09 PM
Powder measure ? tedog Reloading 10 07-31-2011 10:49 AM
RCBS Little Dandy Powder Measure and Unique Powder Cyrano Reloading 10 04-03-2011 11:41 PM
Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Rule3 Reloading 7 02-05-2011 05:21 PM
What powder measure do you like? Ron H. Reloading 23 11-15-2009 08:16 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:18 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)