Changing powder lots within a powder

[Bigeclipse]

I've always had plenty of powder of the same batch on hand but with the way things are now, that can be difficult. Do you find when switching batches, of the same powder, that you can simply adjust your powder weight to the velocity you were getting before and your groups remain about the same or do you need to do a whole new load work up with eahc new batch change? What is your process for this? Thanks

 

[Idaho Lefty]

Get, an old rubber ( or soft Plastic ) Pitcher and, a Wooden Vented, Spoon, AND,.. "Blend em' " !
Stir,.. SLOWLY and away from, Flame / Sparks !
Pour back into, Factory Plastic cans and,. Enjoy !
NO need, to mess with, "working up",.. 10 Different, Loads !

 

[Mikecr]

I back off a little and come back into prior performance.
Powder is usually a very fine adjustment.

It is possible to see a big difference, and then working back to prior MV might not bring back the performance. You could end up with different load density. I guess it's just timing and luck there.

 

[Carlos88]

I reduce load 5%, everything else stays the same. Haven't had any issues getting back to previous results. YMMV.

 

[Barrelnut]

All good advise above.
I seem to often end up with 3 or 4 one pounders of a different lot. So, I keep a couple empty 8 pound jugs around. I'll pour a quarter or so of each 1 pounder into the 8 pounder jug via a funnel and then manually turn the 8 pounder over slowly several times. Add some more powder from each 1 pounder and do it again. When finished, I pour the powder from the 8 pounder back into the 1 pounders and label it. This has worked well for me.

 

[Justin Petrovich]

If I know in advance that I have 2 different lots I combine them. I would rather have 2 consistent pounds than 1 of each I have to rework. Especially now that many places have maximun quantities. I buy 2 lbs from Midsouth and 2lbs from powder valley and mix evenly. In the construction industry we call it "boxing". NEVER mix unlike powders!!!

 

[Muddyboots]

So, I keep a couple empty 8 pound jugs around. I'll pour a quarter or so of each 1 pounder into the 8 pounder jug via a funnel and then manually turn the 8 pounder over slowly several times. Add some more powder from each 1 pounder and do it again. When finished, I pour the powder from the 8 pounder back into the 1 pounders and label it.

X2! Mixing same powder in this manner has always kept my loads consistent since they were now "same lot". I also label with the date I mixed them and the lot numbers that were mixed. Just anal I guess to include lot numbers.

 

[bigbrad53]

All good advise above.
I seem to often end up with 3 or 4 one pounders of a different lot. So, I keep a couple empty 8 pound jugs around. I'll pour a quarter or so of each 1 pounder into the 8 pounder jug via a funnel and then manually turn the 8 pounder over slowly several times. Add some more powder from each 1 pounder and do it again. When finished, I pour the powder from the 8 pounder back into the 1 pounders and label it. This has worked well for me.

That's what I've done for years. I'll load a few of each lot at several grains under established load and if all good I combine them.

 

[MagnumManiac]

I tried the working back up to match velocity thing….sometimes it worked and others it didn't.
So, nowadays, I just blend the old with the new.
Most of my powder is in 4kg (8lb) kegs, so I just blend what's left over and use a 1lb bottle to decant from.
I have always been close to the old groups doing this, so a little tweaking may be necessary here and there.

Cheers.

 

[Rosebud]

I load the 1 pounders into the powder measure, check the weight. Put it in a case. Unless you're a bench rest shooter, your OCDing this. Never noticed any difference between batches. But if it makes you sleep better. Do you're thing. Count how many granules are in each grain of powder.

 

[Lenwood901]

I Always mix my powder and it stays the same good to go

 

[243winxb]

Mixing lots- What if 1 lot is a recall & other is ok?

Burn rates- As much as 10% difference between lot. (H4831)

 

[droptine]

I've been stuffing powder in cases since the 70's. I used to run through a lot of rounds shooting pistol Silhouettes, never noticed anything I recall from from one lot to another, but it's been quite a few years back.

Same with my hunting rounds. Maybe if I was shooting bench rest I might be able to notice. I've loaded from 223 to 416 Rigby and in between.

Temperature, now that's a different story. Some hard lessons can be learned shooting top of the chart in August under that hot metal roof at American shooting in Houston Texas. What you can get a way with bear hunting in Alaska may not work in South Texas.

 

[Reelamin]

Never done anything since the mid 70's when I started reloading other than start using a new pound or 8lb keg of the same powder. Some times to make it fit on the shelf I will mix in two different (old and new) cans several times back and forth to get a good mix and finish it in one can. I still don't and I dont notice a spits bit of difference. I finally started keeping a binder of all the different loads and rifles instead of in the die label or on the ammo box in the early 90's. Old loads both loaded and in the book from 30 years ago still match new loads over the chronograph. I'm just a shooter who likes accurate (.5") rifles and play at BR and competition shooting. Details help in everything....just some are not worth the time and effort for enough measurable gain or loss for me.