Do not as I did

[shil]

I write so that others may learn from my mistake. One is never too old or too experienced to make one. About 20 minutes ago I ruined almost a pound of RE15 powder. Remember that line about not keeping more than one powder at a time on the bench? Well, even after over 30 years of handloading and knowing better, in a seizure of sloth, I did just that. I was loading .44 Magnum with what was left of a container of 2400 powder. After 50 rounds, the powder level in the measure hopper was running low, so I added more powder to the hopper........... RE15, a container of which was sitting on the bench from an earlier loading session, instead of the fresh 2400 I had standing by! I proceeded to load 50 more rounds before calling it quits. I poured the powder in the measure back into the container.......... of RE15! Then, "what is that container of 2400 doing all the way over there?" NEIN! Now, I have a mix of RE15 and the residual 2400 from the measure in the RE15 container. Fertilizer! Plus, I also have 50 rounds of ammunition to disassemble. I think I'll just go to bed now.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

We all make mistakes but at least you found the mistake before you loaded something with that RL15 and a 2400 additive! At least you will never have more than 1 powder on the bench at a time again. AND, it's not so bad to have a little extra fertilizer for the grass but for the fact powders are hard to find...

 

[arjay]

Cost a few bucks,but you caught it in time.

 

[rwsmith]

Disappointing

Losing a couple cans of powder beats messing up a good gun.
I used to do ASAP loading. (As Simple As Possible) but now I've determined to do loading the 'right' way and it is getting more complicated with different powders and all, which is more potential for for a bad mistake.

I'm so hard up for powder that maybe I can take the mixed powder off of your hands and I will separate it grain by grain.

 

[gustmez1]

Taking the time to post this error may well save someone else from making a disastrous mistake. I know it will make me more cautious and I thank you for that.

 

[Diablo982]

From a newbie reloader, thanks for posting. I've learned a lot from reading this board and although it may seem embarrassing to post a "screw up", rest assured you have helped more people than you could possibly know. Right now I only have one powder, but you definitely gave me food for thought.

 

[amazingflapjack]

thanks for you sharing and humility.

 

[alde]

Thanks for posting this. It never hurts to have a reminder. Glad you caught it before anything bad happened.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Glad you caught it............. only a $10 mistake or so, it
could have been a lot more, down the drain ......... !!

When I passed 65 years of age, I found myself double checking a little more. Not a bad thing, just a pain.

Geeeeze, I hate to pull bullets........ good luck with that.

 

[BlueOvalBandit]

At least you will never have more than 1 powder on the bench at a time again.

Live by this! I keep all powder at a distance so I have to physically get up and walk to it. Once done it goes right back into the only container on the bench.

 

[njl]

I hope the bad rounds are clearly marked/segregated. Always keeping the jug of powder being used (and no others) on the bench was a rule I read about early on and have always followed.

 

[POPPER]

Shil, Thanks for sharing this. Brain farts can happen to anybody especially as we grow older seems like. Luckily you caught yours but nobody relishes having to dehorn a bunch of fresh loaded rounds with the little green hammer. I know. Been there done that. I lead a simple life on the reloading bench as I only load 357s with 2400 and some 38+ps for the wife with Bullseye. Simple as that may seem though I never have as yet I can see messing up if distracted by a phone call or whatever. I used to keep a jug of both powders on the bench and handy till I about messed up like this once myself. I now keep my powder in and old camper style ice box under my reloading bench. (Not plugged in of course). I also got some of those white stick on tags and I label my powder dispenser with what powder and grain I am using at that time so I don't mess up. Can,t never be too careful I'm thinkin'

 

[blujax01]

Thank you for sharing. And I do like Popper's "Tag the dispenser" idea. Might add that to my routine...

 

[gaijin]

Well shoot; you could've dumped the 2400 into an EIGHT pound jug of RL 15.
Don't ask where that notion came from...

 

[scooter123]

I caught myself yesterday making the mistake of having 2 powders on my reloading bench. Typically I'll use SR7625 in my 40 and 45 caliber powder measures and left it out last week. This weekend I decided to load up a box of 38 spl. after some bullets came in and decided to load with Unique. Just as I am about to start I look and see two different bottles of powder side by side. Did the smart thing and put the SR7625 up before I started but your post just reinforces the value of strictly adhering to the safety protocols for reloading. Sorry you've created a new batch of plant food but it's better you found out about your mistake now rather than later.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I guess the good news here is that you caught it. Things could have been MUCH worse had you not and fired off a round.

That said, I've done the same (just once) in the past. I've made a couple of changes since that seem to help.
1) I don't keep ANY powder cans on the bench anymore. I keep them locked up in a locker. That way, when it's time to refill the hopper, I have to think about what I'm pulling out before pouring.
2) I try to NEVER pour from my powder measure directly back into a bulk can. I prefer to run the powder out and or store it in the measure ( between sessions) when possible.
3) I now jot down the powder name and load on a 1x3" slip of paper and stuff it into the measures hopper. It tends to float on top of the powder so never interferes with flow. It also must be pulled out when I top off. Again, just another reminder of what I'm doing.

Generally, I've learned that anything that slows me down and gives me time to think is a good thing.

For that same reason, I've gone back from a full progressive to a (Lee Classic) turret press too.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Sometimes, us oldies are the ones who get sloppy. I am glad you did not blow up a gun or worse. In the long run, the cost of the powder and effort to disassemble the loads is absolutely nothing but a ripple on the ocean compared to what could have happened.

I am glad you shared the story. Thank you!

 

[Garintheair]

I write so that others may learn from my mistake. One is never too old or too experienced to make one. About 20 minutes ago I ruined almost a pound of RE15 powder. Remember that line about not keeping more than one powder at a time on the bench? Well, even after over 30 years of handloading and knowing better, in a seizure of sloth, I did just that. I was loading .44 Magnum with what was left of a container of 2400 powder. After 50 rounds, the powder level in the measure hopper was running low, so I added more powder to the hopper........... RE15, a container of which was sitting on the bench from an earlier loading session, instead of the fresh 2400 I had standing by! I proceeded to load 50 more rounds before calling it quits. I poured the powder in the measure back into the container.......... of RE15! Then, "what is that container of 2400 doing all the way over there?" NEIN! Now, I have a mix of RE15 and the residual 2400 from the measure in the RE15 container. Fertilizer! Plus, I also have 50 rounds of ammunition to disassemble. I think I'll just go to bed now.

Hmmm....did you chrono the results...?

 

[jfp357]

What a great forum...........I keep learning !

 

[Bugkiller99]

Another newbie here. Thanks for the lesson.
I keep a roll of blue painters tape on bench and label powder hopper. This post will reinforce that.

 

[M29since14]

Having ruined a pound or two of powder being in a rush in my younger days, I established a practice to "control myself." In addition to trying to never have more than one powder on my bench at a time, when I am ready to return powder to the canister, I pour a little out of the canister into its cap and compare that to what I see in the measure. If they look alike, all good! This is probably more of a "slow down and watch what you're doing!" technique than anything, but I have never had the problem again since I started doing it. Glad you caught your mistake and no real harm done.

 

[yeti]

I appreciate the posts from veteran reloaders that serve to caution us all to stick with a routine and sloooow down.
It is embarrassing for us to admit our mistakes, but posts like this are very helpful to ALL of us.
Thank you, Shil! I am glad you realized the momentary lapse and corrected.

 

[SMSgt]

I'd rather be embarrassed than fingerless!

 

[pacificpt]

Thanks for the post, if it keeps one person from making a similar mistake it was well worth the time.

 

[gwpercle]

Good save. Great post.
Teaches us all to be careful in our loading practices.

Gary

 

[kennyb]

thanks for sharing....

 

[walkin' trails]

Thanks for the reminder. its little things like that we overlook or forget from time to time that can become a big thing real fast.

 

[Buford57]

Better an "Oh $@*^!" than a "Ka-boom".

As the man said "Good decisions result from experience. Experience results from bad decisions".

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like an Elmer Keith duplex load.