Snyd
.375 Atomic
The Last Frontier
Posts: 2,405
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Post by Snyd on Dec 15, 2015 13:27:18 GMT -5
We've all done it right? Or am I the only one?? I've been pretty fortunate, I've never spilled more than maybe 1/4 of a powder measure or so. It's a result of a "duh" moment and the next thing you know powder is headed where it ought not be! The resulting reaction is an "OH MY GOD NOOOO!!!!!!" type of gasp. It's worse than spilling gasoline these days. I'd swear it's like seeing Gold Dust getting blown away in the wind! Maybe worse! So how much Gold Dust have you lost at one time??
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Post by Alaskan454 on Dec 15, 2015 14:19:11 GMT -5
I guess I've been really lucky, the worst was maybe 100 grains from my powder dispenser when I didn't notice the drain pipe was open a tiny bit. Even that much made me sad!
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,629
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Post by Fowler on Dec 15, 2015 14:31:00 GMT -5
A buddy once was changing out his Dillon and dumped half a powder hopper of a fast handgun powder back into a 3/4 full 8lb jug of H4895! He realized what happened and dumped the entire jug out into his garden as fertilizer.
He used to give me crap because I always leave the can the powder was poured out of right in front of my reloader that I am using that powder in and it made for a cluttered reloading bench he thought! Helps keep me inline I figure but I also never leave powder in my powder measures except for my Dillon and then I keep the container right next to it and a sticky note of the charge and powder on the barrel of the hopper itself. Knock on wood but my systme works for me
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Post by Alaskan454 on Dec 15, 2015 14:33:09 GMT -5
I started leaving a note card with the powder type in big sharpie inside the container if it might be a while before using it next. Some powders look very similar and could easily blow up a handgun when interchanged. I'm all about a cluttered loading bench if it keeps things safe!
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Snyd
.375 Atomic
The Last Frontier
Posts: 2,405
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Post by Snyd on Dec 15, 2015 14:37:17 GMT -5
I too only have the powder I'm using on the bench. Otherwise it's up on the top shelf or tucked away in back stock.
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Post by webley455 on Dec 15, 2015 16:09:07 GMT -5
I had 50 rounds of 45 Colt all powder charged and ready for the bullets. Then I dropped the loading block.
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wdr2
.30 Stingray
Posts: 147
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Post by wdr2 on Dec 15, 2015 17:51:43 GMT -5
I did virtually the same thing! I had 2 cans open, dumped 1/2 lb of HS6 into a newly full can of 4350. I noticed my mistake when the 4350 overflowed. Beginning that day, only one can of powder on any loading bench. Bill A buddy once was changing out his Dillon and dumped half a powder hopper of a fast handgun powder back into a 3/4 full 8lb jug of H4895!
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Post by foxtrapper on Dec 15, 2015 17:55:51 GMT -5
A Dillon powder hopper of 231 into a four pound jug of 296... Still have the jug covered in duct tape with marking of don't use . Sits on a shelf to remind me.
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Post by BigBore44 on Dec 15, 2015 18:44:01 GMT -5
I keep only the jug im using out on the bench, and a note on the hopper. I usually never leave powder in the hopper overnight anyhow.
I've dumped little bit here and there, mostly when I forget to prime a rifle case before charging..
BigBore44
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Paden
.375 Atomic
Lower Goldstream Creek
Posts: 1,132
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Post by Paden on Dec 15, 2015 18:58:06 GMT -5
Thankfully, the worst spill I've had has been due to double charging a case incapable of accepting a double charge. (Knocking on wood as I type).
Kind of surprised by the reports of mixing powder. Early on I read somewhere that two powders should never be on the bench at the same time and took that to heart. Assumed it was universally accepted as an inviolable rule.
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Post by contender on Dec 15, 2015 20:19:41 GMT -5
My spills in over 35 years have been very small. I have always only kept one powder at a time on my bench, and I never leave powder in a hopper after I finish loading. Never sure about the moisture, humidity, or other things that could possibly affect the powder's performance.
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Post by Markbo on Dec 15, 2015 20:24:11 GMT -5
I had 50 rounds of 45 Colt all powder charged and ready for the bullets. Then I dropped the loading block. That was mine too. Ill bet there wasnt 4 or 5 cases worth spilled powder but i had no confidence in eyeballing which ones "might" be short and either causing a real problem or just 50 inaccurate rounds due to load inconsistency so I just poured em all out and started over.
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Post by paul105 on Dec 16, 2015 9:51:59 GMT -5
I've dumped an entire powder hopper (1 lb or close) a couple of times in 30 plus years of loading with my 550. Forgot to tighten the screws on the bracket that holds the powder measure assy on the powder die. First round in the powder die station and wala, powder measure jumps off the press.
Haven't done it in recent memory, so I'm probably due.
Learned early on to leave only one powder can on the bench, and leave a note inside the powder measure with powder/charge and then confirm on my scale before next loading session.
Paul
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ericp
.327 Meteor
Posts: 512
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Post by ericp on Dec 16, 2015 10:57:21 GMT -5
Tripped over the cat (which let inside by the Lady without my knowledge) with an open 8 pounder of Unique, figure I lost about 3/4 pound. I was not a happy camper.
Eric
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Post by chsparkman on Dec 19, 2015 21:00:01 GMT -5
Last year I was happily loading along with my Hornady LnL when the plastic hopper separated from the powder measure, dumping a half-full hopper of 2400 all over the bench and the floor. I was able to recover about 40%. I immediately ordered a new hopper which fits much more snugly.
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