Mixing lots of powder to make your own “lot”?

[SDHNTR]

Absurd question of the day alert…

Say you have 3 new pounds of one lot of powder and 2 new pounds of another lot of the same powder…. (I know, not ideal, but that’s what was on the shelf) Instead of shooting through one lot and then reworking the load again when you get to the second lot, could you just mix all 5 pounds together and only work up once as if it were all one lot? Anyone see a problem with this?

 

[Jhaury7]

I doubt you could evenly blend them to where you’re getting 1/2 of each lot in a case evenly. Just shoot one lot and switch lots down the road. Doubt there’ll be a big difference in performance lot to lot anyways, should be easy to adjust

 

[BBob]

Anyone see a problem with this?

Nope. I mix N-130 and N-133 50/50 to make an in between.

 

[ID_Matt]

I would mix them.

 

[PathFinder]

I've mixed them in the past. Can't see any reason not to, just handle it carefully.

 

[SDHNTR]

I doubt you could evenly blend them to where you’re getting 1/2 of each lot in a case evenly. Just shoot one lot and switch lots down the road. Doubt there’ll be a big difference in performance lot to lot anyways, should be easy to adjust

I would make no attempt to mix them evenly. That’s not the question. Would be the same question regardless of the ratio. I’m trying to prolong having to rework the load later.

 

[wapitibob]

I’ve been doing it for years with no downside. No way on earth I’m going thru load dev with a new lot of powder with prices and availability they way they are.

 

[Jhaury7]

If you’re not gonna blend them evenly then wouldn’t there be the high probability that every shot would have a different lot or different blend of lots in them? Assuming the different lots generate different pressures, every cartridge would be different. I would shoot the 3lbs and when it’s gone, load 5 with the other lot and go group it on a Chronograph. It’ll probably shoot fine, but if it’s faster or slower you should be able to adjust powder charge to compensate the velocity

 

[rayporter]

do it

 

[TheM1DoesMyTalking]

My mama always said, life was like a keg of mixed powder. You never know what you're gonna get.

 

[JFK]

I’ve done it and will continue to do it. Pour them all into a clean container and gently hand tumble for several minutes.

 

[EdP]

Reloading manuals don't specify the powder lot # when listing load data. I think powder mfgs keep powder pretty consistent lot to lot, otherwise the published load date would be worthless. Using 30 year old powder and recent manuals or vice versa may be a bad idea, but I think you are asking about recent lots. My feeling is that you have a solution looking for a problem. Any difference between lots will be minimal and can be easily checked and adjusted for if necessary. You should not find yourself needing to start the load development process all over again just due to a powder lot change. If that isn't the case and there is a significant difference between the two lots, you had better be able to obtain near perfect mixing or you will have created a different problem. You could always load up a few from each lot and see what a chronograph says and then you will know.

 

[SDHNTR]

If you’re not gonna blend them evenly then wouldn’t there be the high probability that every shot would have a different lot or different blend of lots in them? Assuming the different lots generate different pressures, every cartridge would be different. I would shoot the 3lbs and when it’s gone, load 5 with the other lot and go group it on a Chronograph. It’ll probably shoot fine, but if it’s faster or slower you should be able to adjust powder charge to compensate the velocity

It would be mixed thoroughly, but not evenly. The ratio is odd initially but once mixed assume similar amounts of each lot in each case.

 

[SDHNTR]

You guys must’ve have better luck than me between lots. I’ve seen changes of 1+ gr required. It’s not always minimal and reworking the load on some level is always required.

 

[Jhaury7]

You guys must’ve have better luck than me between lots. I’ve seen changes of 1+ gr required. It’s not always minimal and reworking the load on some level is always required.

If you see large differences in lots and can’t guarantee you’re gonna have “for example: 50 granules of Lot A and 50 Granules of Lot B” consistently every single cartridge, then how is this a good idea for accuracy? You could have 99 granules of lot A and 1 granule of lot B in one cartridge and the complete opposite in another cartridge. That would essentially be the 1+ gr difference you speak of

 

[EdP]

I don't see a 1 grain adjustment being a big deal at all, especially in a cartridge loaded with 50 grains or so. To me getting a poor mix would be more of a concern. If you keep your load development data, including chrono data, making any necessary adjustment when switching batches should be pretty easy. Again, if you really want to know, load a few from each batch and see what your chrono says.

 

[JFK]

If you see large differences in lots and can’t guarantee you’re gonna have “for example: 50 granules of Lot A and 50 Granules of Lot B” consistently every single cartridge, then how is this a good idea for accuracy? You could have 99 granules of lot A and 1 granule of lot B in one cartridge and the complete opposite in another cartridge. That would essentially be the 1+ gr difference you speak of

Although I guess your above scenario is possible, it’s not likely if you spend a few minutes to get it mixed correctly. I’ve been doing it for years and have never had any issues with consistency.

 

[Jhaury7]

Although I guess your above scenario is possible, it’s not likely if you spend a few minutes to get it mixed correctly. I’ve been doing it for years and have never had any issues with consistency.

I agree that you probably won’t notice a big difference in consistency, but I’m not gonna introduce an unpredictable variable for no reason when tuning a load after a lot change isn’t very difficult or component consuming

 

[Corvus Corax]

We’re talking about five new unopened jugs of powder, three of one lot and two of another? Not some stuff you already have opened correct? Depending on what you are loading up you can get almost 400 rounds loaded up before you have to worry about it and by then you will have a starting point to tinker with.

 

[EdP]

JFK said:
Although I guess your above scenario is possible, it’s not likely if you spend a few minutes to get it mixed correctly. I’ve been doing it for years and have never had any issues with consistency.

I see two possibilities that could result in never having any issues with consistency when mixing batches. One is that you got a good thorough mix. The other is that the two batches of powder differed so little that it didn't make a detectable difference.