Powder Left in Hopper?

[Rollbar]

Hello all.

Been very busy but I have a question.

I have left the hopper about 3/4 full since last reloading session (about 5-6 weeks). The top has the cap on it. H-L-N-L

Is the powder still good (I know you can't say for sure, but you all have experience in this I hope) to go, or should I dump it ?

Thanks,
Jim

[raisedin99]

There probably is nothing wrong with your powder, personally I wouldn't be concerned using it. In over 50 years of reloading I have done the same thing without issue.

You might want to keep in mind that powder can ruin the plastic tube of your measure if it is stored there to long.

terry

[Fkimble]

I am 99.99% sure the powder is still good. I run 9 measures, all except one is for a dedicated powder and charge. Never have to empty them or adjust the measure, just throw a couple in the scale pan to verify and go. These measures have had powder in them for years. Some may sit with powder for months before again being used.

[rwsmith]

..., the color looks right and you can positively identify it, I'd bet $$ to donuts that it's still good. If you have reason to doubt it, out into the garden it goes.

[Rollbar]

Thank you all,
Jim

[Nframecollector]

I would dump it. I have seen Unique make indentations in plastic hoppers when left in them. I wouldn't take a chance!

[Rollbar]

Looks fresh and clean. I will reload the rest and tag it in a separate bag from my others.

Green Dot.

Thanks,
Jim

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Sent from my iPhone 4S

[raisedin99]

Jim,

Are those your reloading shoes in the background ?

terry

Originally Posted by Rollbar

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[Gunsnwater]

Girl you got to get yourself some comfortable shoes

[Rollbar]

I use these, helps with reaching the scale.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1372471073.502868.jpg


Sent from my iPhone 4S

[Rollbar]

Converted my wife's 12x12 walk-in closet to a reloading space.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1372471125.407878.jpg

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In case there is a fire I won't have to worry about what to wear.

Thanks for the help,
Jim


Sent from my iPhone 4S

[Nevada Ed]

Powder should be ok for a while but it will make a clean, clear, new tube, turn a light gray and make things harder to see over the years.

If you label/mark the powder that's inside I see no problem but I normally empty the tube since I load pistols, rifles and steel shotgun loads often and need it empty for the next go round the next day or week, what ever.

[90crvtec]

As others have already alluded, you're probably fine.

I also have a Hornady LNL. I have left HP38 in the powder measure for over a month. Over time I have noticed a slight browning of the plastic walls on the powder measure but it isn't bad, just a very slight off color. I'm sure some other powders might cause a more severe scar on some plastics.

Just for grins, I have purposely left the powder in the measure for over a month and chronographed it compared to loads with the same powder poured fresh into the powder measure. There is no difference in velocity in my case.

All of the experimentation that I speak of was done with HP38 so I can't say for certain of every powder would be this consistent. But I think you're probably just fine. I don't know if I'd go off and leave the powder in the measure for 3 or 4 months but, I think a good 4-5 weeks is still OK.

[rsrocket1]

Don't do that with Bullseye. Even though I empty my hopper at the end of every session, it discolored the hopper with a smokey brown haze. Other powders aren't as harsh on the LnL AP hopper, but I've heard of someone who melted up a Lee Perfect Powder measure hopper real good by leaving powder in it for a week.

[Rule3]

If the hopper was covered it is fine, as to the shoes sure, you stick with your story

[Nframecollector]

Originally Posted by Rollbar

I use these, helps with reaching the scale.

Attachment 118313


Sent from my iPhone 4S

Kinda clash with most S&W's don't you think?

[Cdog]

Leaving powder of any type in a measure ain't something I do.

As above, it's likely fine.

I'm one of those anal handloaders. Personally I'd be disappointed in myself for not taking the time to properly shut down my session.

[SMSgt]

In low-humidity NV you might get away with that, but the powder wouldn't last long in the FL humidity. Powder drops are sealed very well. I always dump the leftover back into the original container. It's too easy to do that vs risk wasting good (and hard to obtain) powder.

[H Richard]

I left some Power Pistol in a RCBS measure for a couple seeks one time and it had "imbedded" some of itself into the plastic of the measure. I had to scrape the tube out to clean it. This is the only powder I have ever had that happen with, but I normally do not leave any in the measure.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by SMSgt

In low-humidity NV you might get away with that, but the powder wouldn't last long in the FL humidity. Powder drops are sealed very well. I always dump the leftover back into the original container. It's too easy to do that vs risk wasting good (and hard to obtain) powder.

I do it all the time. Not for long periods but have for a week or so. The house is air conditioned, the powder hopper is covered, Not much different than being in a container.

Having said that, it is better practice to empty it into the original container

[MikeyB]

Those big Folgers coffee tubs are great for storing brass.

[Double-O-Dave]

As others have indicated, not ideal, but your powder is probably okay to use. Based on personal experience, I did the same thing with my RCBS powder measure, which has a green colored, plastic tube to hold the powder. The powder "etched" the tube, and there were actual powder flakes embedded in the tube. I called RCBS CS about this, and they said it would be okay to use the powder in the tube, and that it would be a good idea in the future not to repeat the performance. A few days later, I received in the mail, and at no charge, a brand new powder measure body as a replacement. One more reason why I love RCBS products.

Good luck,

Dave

[2152hq]

I left RedDot in the hopper of my Square Deal (not 'B') unused from 1984 till 1997 or 98 when I finally got settled back down.
It was and is still set up for 38spcl.
It had been moved around to several locations, stored in different conditions, even forgotten about.

I got it up and running again. A couple of the plastic/nylon parts on the machine primer feed mech were brittle and were replaced.
But the powder was just fine. No damage to the hopper either.
The worse of it was getting the old duct tape off the cover & hopper that was put on it to keep it from spilling during the dark years.

[mkk41]

Modern smokeless powder doesn't absorb moisture like black powder. As long as it hasn't turned color or started clumping , from being very hot and dry, or very , very damp , yer good to go.

[Rollbar]

Thank you all,
Jim