Consolidating powder?

W

Wyoredman

New member
What are the opinions about consolidating partial 1 lb canisters of H-110 and W-296 into one canister. They are different lots and dates.

I just inherited several partial cans from my grandfather. I know they are all H-110 and W-296 because he didn't have any other powder around, and he only had one handgun, a .44 Rem Mag.

Also, visually, the powders appear correct for the cans they are in.

What say you about mixing lots into one?
 
My opinion

There are those whom I respect greatly that will disagree, but here is what I think. I don't worry about mixing powders of different lots. Usually it is an ounce or two left in one container that I put into a newly opened container. There is probably a bit of difference in combustion characteristics, but I am not a precision shooter, so never know the difference. I seldom use max loads, so if there happens to be a bit more pressure with one lot of powder, it isn't a concern to me.

I would consolidate them and never look back. Probably would start with reduced loads and work up to see if there is any indicator of pressure issues.

Just my opinion.
 
I'm sure you know what you're doing much more than me, but I would have to wonder why he had several partial canisters of the same powder?
 
Given the situation that you haven't used any of the powders you acquired, combining them into a single lot seems reasonable. But I would always wonder about the product in the container being what it says it is. Start low to be conservative in case there is some issue you don't know about.
 
But I would always wonder about the product in the container being what it says it is. Start low to be conservative in case there is some issue you don't know about.
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The problem with 296 & H110 is that it is dangerous to start too low. Follow published load data and do not go below the suggested start load.
 
The advantages:
Takes up less shelf space.
Solvents evaporate from powder slower.

Disadvantages:
When your brother in law asks to borrow some powder, you could give him an almost empty can if you do not mix them.
 
Granted, H-110/W296 is a slow and forgiving powder. So that would buy you some forgiveness for committing such a faux pas.

But I personally would still not do it. I never mix different lot numbers. I would just start using the most used can; then move to the next most used can; and so on.

I do find it curious why your grandfather would open and use several different cans of the same powder.
 
Nick_C_S said:
Granted, H-110/W296 is a slow and forgiving powder. So that would buy you some forgiveness for committing such a faux pas.
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Nick_C_S, i have always trusted your posts and found them to be among the most reliable. informative and correct. But I personally would not have described H-110 or Win 296 as "forgiving."

Are we thinking about different parameters of character?

I have always thought of "forgiving" as allowing for a wide range of charge weights, uncontrolled variations in case volumes, etc. without courting dangerous pressure variation.

Are we looking at different aspects?

Lost Sheep.
 
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Assuming they all appear the same I'd mix it. Worst case scernario is that the resulting mix is the average of the different lots. I'd rather have 1 mixed lot than a couple slightly different groups of powder.
However it is slightly weird to have 3 or more of the same cans of the same powder laying around...
 
higgite said:
I'm sure you know what you're doing much more than me, but I would have to wonder why he had several partial canisters of the same powder?
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I would also wonder, if combining them is a good idea, why your grandfather didn't do it.
 
"Granted, H-110/W296 is a slow and forgiving powder.":eek:

Have to agree with Lost Sheep, H-110/W296 are both unflexible and unforgiving!

T.
 
Do not mix them. Use them up. Start with the bottle with the least powder and get loading and soon enough you will be down to one bottle. If you are loading .44 magnum they you will be using at least 22 grains at a time so it will go fast.
 
Gramps probably didn't know the two powders were essentially the same. Now I said essentially. How old are those cans? While the St Marks powder plant probably made both powders,,-- when was that? Was there enough difference over perhaps 20 years that the resulting mix would be way off from current burn rates?

I have NO problem with mixing one batch/lot of the same stuff like H-110 with a new batch. I know it has not been contaminated, and approximately when I bought it. The same with W-296 from one lot to another. Even crossing brands from Hodgdon to Winchester. from my powder supplies that I bought.

For the money involved, I would NOT do it. I too hate to waste components, but at what risk?
 
Why did grandpa not use them up or mix them himself? Good question! one that will not ever be answered. They are all in newer plastic containers. I suspect that once he got to the bottom of a canister, he wouldn't have enough powder for the next batch of reloads, so not knowing it was safe to combine batches, he just rat holed the leftovers. Just my guess.

Thanks for the opinions.

There is enough in 5 containers to make approximately 1/2#. So I think I will combine them. Thanks again.
 
There is no reason not to mix the same powders from different lots. Most 1 lb containers are only a little over 1/2 full by volume. Once I get a container about 3/4 empty I go ahead and pour it into the next container.
 
W296 Forgiving?

Are we looking at different aspects?
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I think maybe so.

I would not consider H-110/W296 as versatile. It doesn't like to be downloaded and can run very inconsistently (maybe even dangerous?? I don't know) when under-loaded. So I did not mean "forgiving" in that aspect.

I was looking at it from the perspective of when it's loaded up real good and it's running right. If a loader was at that point, and wanted to continue increasing charge weights, it won't just turn around and bite. It will give a lot of warning in the form of flattened primers and difficult extraction (I'm thinking 357 & 44 Mag here) long before something catastrophic happens.

The following is my past experience and is IN NO WAY to be construed as load advice:

Back when I was 10 feet tall and bullet proof (decades ago), I use to load 357 Mags / 110gn JHP's with W296 to where the powder almost completely filled the case. It was almost to the point where I could have just scooped the case into a bowl of W296 and then loaded it. Magnum primers; heavy crimp. I still have the gun and functions fine; as well as all my fingers. I consider that "forgiving."
 
Me personally would not mix dissimilar brands of powder based upon internet opinions of "Yea, they are the same powder just a different brand". I do however purposely mix lots of like powders. I have an large old 8# keg of Win 748 which I have had for years. I keep it almost full with about 15# of powder in it currently. I like to make small weekly purchases of reloading components so to try and minimize powder lot variances I take the new powder and mix it right in with the keg and do the shake-n-bake shimmy. This method I feel helps for a more consistent performance. Win 748 is known for some instability but I see pretty consistent velocities using this method of combining lots.
 
You are probably okay mixing if they are all similar in age and history, but considering that you don't know the history of them, or why he had multiples, you might be better off testing them separately. Really I don't see the big deal in using them up individually, unless you are incredibly cramped for an extra square foot of storage space. If one container is not good, for whatever reason, and you mix them, they all become fertilizer.

I personally would not have described H-110 or Win 296 as "forgiving."
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I understood what he meant, and I agree. It is difficult, if not impossible to overload enough 110 to cause disaster, nor is being a couple grains off in measuring likely to have a tragic outcome. Try that with Bullseye! :eek:
 
. . . nor is being a couple grains off in measuring likely to have a tragic outcome. Try that with Bullseye!
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Yes TimSr. That's what I meant. That was a good way of stating it.

A loader could get away with being kind of wreckless with their measuring of W296, and probably get away with it. In the context of this string and the OP's original question: That translates to it probably not being an issue if the powders were consolidated. But I wouldn't do it, personally.

I appreciate my opinions being respected - I try to speak honestly, respectfully, and from experience.
 
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