Have I ruined a pound of Bullseye?

T

Tetchreon

Inactive
So a few weeks ago I bought an RCBS master reloading kit. I've been wanting to reload for a while now and have been buying components and parts a little at a time.

Anyway last night I decided that I'd set up the powder measure and do some practice throws. I'm not ready to reload ammo yet, but I figured this would be a good way of getting to know the scale and other equipment.

However...my powder measure did not come with any instructions. Everything else did and I read them thoroughly. I didn't realize that the powder measure shipped with some kind of grease on it (turns out this is to prevent rust). While throwing charges I was noticing that it was being very inconsistent and started to feel gritty while I was using it. I don't know how many charges I threw (a lot) but I ended up dumping them back into the 1 pound container once I finished weighing them. (like an idiot)

Eventually I dumped the powder remaining in the hopper back into the original container and disassembled the powder measure to find a lot of gunk built up along with specs of bullseye stuck to everything. Long story short...being a total newbie I'm sort of worried that I've gotten that gunk into the container of bullseye and have contaminated it somehow. Have I?

Thanks in advance for your help (and for not making me feel like any more of a buffoon than I already do).
 
As long as the powder will flow freely in the degreased measure, it will be ok.

ETA
I would consider running it through a kitchen strainer in case there were any grease glob + powder lumps present.
 
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You'll need to keep an eye out for no powder being dropped if the clumped powder clogs the measure. You don't want to be firing any loads with no powder in them. You can end up with a bullet lodged in the barrel, or worse shooting another bullet on top of it. This is something you always have to watch for anyway, but with clumping powder it just adds to the likelyhood.
 
When you are ready to refill the hopper, pour the powder into a shallow pan or plate so it spreads out into a thin layer. Inspect for clumps, remove and discard any found, then refill the measure.

Grease doesn't migrate much (any, really that's why its grease, not oil). So only powder flakes it touches can be affected (If they are, chemically, which is doubtful) The real issue is clumping, flakes stuck together with grease, which won't meter right, and could affect the accuracy of powder dump.

Sift / sort, remove clumps and everything should be fine.
 
Not a great way to start but things happen live and learn .
I would dump it and move on as now you may find other problems with this powder ?
 
Be glad you weren't using an 8lb container, instead of merely a 1lb.
When it comes to reloading, always error on the side of caution.
Just replace the powder and quit worrying.
Save the complaints for when you suddenly discover you've overloaded a couple of hundred rounds and have to pull all the bullets. :(
 
I would follow the advice in post #4 by 44AMP. I wouldn't lose any sleep over what you did. I would thoroughly clean the powder measure before using it again meaning complete disassembly. While you do not mention a make and model every powder measure and or powder throw I have seen has instructions including care and cleaning so Google may be a best friend.

Also, when dumping or emptying a powder hopper it is not unusual for powder to cling to the hopper and other parts as a result of some static electricity build up. Before using the measure again it may be a good idea to wipe the unit down with a drier sheet (anti static cling sheet). Make sure the unit is totally clean.

P.S. Your powder throw will also smell springtime fresh as an added benefit! :)

I also see where you did mention RCBS so it is likely a RCBS Uniflow. Start here and find your measure. As an example here are the RCBS Uniflow instructions. The instructions should have been included.

Ron
 
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If I had any contamination issues with any powder (especially the possibility of petroleum contamination), I would take the loss and donate to the yard for fertilizer.

A $30 can of powder ain't worth the risk to me or my guns or any innocent bystanders.
 
Thank you all so much for the advice. I believe that for the cost of a container of bullseye I'll err on the side of caution and just pick up another pound.

On the topic of buying powder...where do you all get your components? I have one shop about an hour from me that sells reloading supplies and they don't even stock bullets anymore.
 
Personally, I would not take a risk with clumping or contamination which could affect the burn rate or even cause double charges or squibbs. Toss the powder buy more. Also please take the time to read and understand a good loading manual, Lyman 50 is a good choice, and all the instructions with your dies and other equipment. Reloading like shooting is a fun hobby but the consequences of mistakes can be severe, even life threatening.
 
On the topic of buying powder...where do you all get your components? I have one shop about an hour from me that sells reloading supplies and they don't even stock bullets anymore.
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It really depends. I have a Gander Mountain 15 min down the road if I want it now but I am limited to what I find there in stock. There is a new Cabela's about 40 min away but again, I am limited to what they have.

Last time I ordered online it was a good deal from Mid South Shooters Supply. Ordering I want to say 24 Lbs of powder got free HAZMAT and the shipping was very fair as well as powder price. Every now and then several online stores have good deals on powder as well as primers and other components but Mid South has always done well by me.

Ron
 
Components I order online in bulk quantities - that means powder in 8# jugs by the case of two; primers by the sleeve of 5000. Depending on the primer types, you can typically get 4 8# jugs and 1-2 sleeves of primers for one hazmat fee and shipping fee. Graf's sells Vectan powder and frequently has a deal where they waive hazmat and have free shipping for one 7.95 fee
 
If you can find a decent selection of powder and primers locally you'd save the cost of having to ship Hazmat. If you cannot find powder/primers locally then ordering online, and in bulk, makes all the more sense. I have a store locally (35mins 1-way) that carries quite a bit, even packages the bulk Hornady bullets in 9mm, 40, 45, and 22 cal rifle for resale in 100cnt bags. If I had to rely on what Gander and Cabelas had on hand I would do a LOT more ordering from online retailers.
 
Before you buy bulk use a few 1 lb cans of powder
to be sure witch powder you prefer

For me its Win. 231 or HP38 ( same powder different label )
I also know the weight of bullets I prefer in pistol as well as rifle

We all make mistakes, just learn from them
 
Yep, it's only $30 worth of powder, if you can find it. I would follow 44 AMP's advise but pour it back into the jug. Put it on a shelf and when you have more experience/knowledge of reloading and components, deal with it then. No harm, no foul,no worries...
 
Yeah, good thing we're not talking about an 8# jug (per g.willikers). It's only a pound, so repurposing it for fertilizer may not be a bad idea.

But for me personally, I have a couple problems with that . . .

First, I hate wasting stuff. Second, finding another pound of beloved Bullseye may be a bit of a task in itself (per mikld). Third, but least of which, is the monetary loss. (There may also be some toxicity concerns about using gun powder for fertilizer - especially if it is to be used for growing edible veggies. But that's off topic.)

If it were me, I'd take 44AMP's advice. Spread it out, look for clumps, and toss them. Use the remainder. As an additional note: I would want to move the powder though my shooting pipeline with some sense of urgency. Just in case it's contaminated in some way that reduces its longevity. And also to just get the entire event behind me psychologically.
 
Thanks in advance for your help (and for not making me feel like any more of a buffoon than I already do).
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Hell man, don't dwell on it. Everyone makes a mistake or three once in a while.

The incident will just remind you to be cautious in the future, and with that, don't consider the powder wasted.

Last time I wanted Bullseye, it took me 18 months to find it. I finally ran into it at my least favorite retail outlet...Bass Pro. Talk about a rip off, but I needed it.

I have loads for 7 different powders in 45 ACP which will cover any shortage that I could possibly face. I urge everyone to do the same and be ready if there is a next time of shortages.
 
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