LT-31
- Thread starter Pete Wass
- Start date
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
If the kernels are the approximately same size, uniform/even mixing is not a problem at all. Powder manufacturers mix different batches of the same powder whenever necessary and it's not a problem for them. It requires a little knowledge and attention to detail for the home reloader, but it's still a simple physical operation. In contrast, when the kernels are of noticeably different size, mixing powders is perhaps not such a good idea, and it may never be possible to mix them evenly, at least in a home setting.
So how do the kernel sizes of LT30 and LT32 compare?
Schippergreg
Silver $$ Contributor
It’s my understanding that they are the same powder, but the faster lots are sold as lt30 and the slower lots are labeled lt32. That is what I’ve heard but I can’t say for sure. Lou Murdica would know better than I.
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
I was mainly asking that as a rhetorical question. If the kernels of the two powders are very similar in size and shape, they can absolutely be mixed uniformly and evenly. If they are of noticeably different size/shape, I wouldn't attempt it.
That still doesn't answer my question. Even if 2 powders have the same kernel size it doesn't mean that your going to get an even mixture of both powders when your filling cases. If your loading 28 grains in a PPC case one case could have 16 grains of LT30 and 12 of LT32. The next case could contain 20 grains of LT30 and 8 grains of LT32. Does anyone get what I'm saying? You can't get an even 50/50 mixture in a case. Totally impossible if your mixing 4 pounds of 30 and 4 of 32. The only way you could get a true 50/50 mixture of both powders is to weigh of 14 grains of each. mix the 28 grains up and load it into a case. That's they only was your going to get an even mixture.
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Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
No...mixing two powders with identical kernel size does not mean that the resulting mix must be non-uniform. Two powders with identical kernel size can be mixed very uniformly. Of course, it requires some knowledge and effort on the part of the person doing the mixing, but it can absolutely be done.
Your not going to convince me that mixing even parts of both powders is going to come out 50/50 in every round that you load. Totally Impossible. There is always going to be a little more of one powder in every round.
Murray Brook
Silver $$ Contributor
KMart
Gold $$ Contributor
A large funnel, galvanized. A plastic funnel will have some of the powder sticking to it. About a 1/2" exit at the bottom. Get 2 # of material in one container and transfer it to the second container, via the funnel. The funnel will always feed out of the center and back and forth about 4-5 times and he blend is done.
Jim is wright if it was a good idea the powder maker would mix there own
D Coots
Silver $$ Contributor
The problem is that the folks that produce powder cannot keep up with the demand for common powders, let alone for something special.
Someone with lots of time should take small amounts of these mixed at slightly different percentages and shoot them.
Not me...I wasted all day testing bullets...enough aggravation. Been down Hwy31, not for me, but not skeered. I've seen it works.
Someone with lots of time should take small amounts of these mixed at slightly different percentages and shoot them.
Not me...I wasted all day testing bullets...enough aggravation. Been down Hwy31, not for me, but not skeered. I've seen it works.
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Use one of these -- it is how they mix pharmaceutical powders to a homogeneous mixture. Probably not explosive rated though! You could probably make one out of PVC pipe somehow.
I would never mix powders but of all methods described, I like the 2 lb in an 8 lb jug inverted thoroughly method. I would not mix out in the open in a bucket or tray. An acquaintance of mine dumped some old black powder in a minnow bucket with the intent of adding water to destroy it but static electricity set it off and he was flash burned and severely maimed. Not sure if that would happen with smokeless but I would not chance it.
I would never mix powders but of all methods described, I like the 2 lb in an 8 lb jug inverted thoroughly method. I would not mix out in the open in a bucket or tray. An acquaintance of mine dumped some old black powder in a minnow bucket with the intent of adding water to destroy it but static electricity set it off and he was flash burned and severely maimed. Not sure if that would happen with smokeless but I would not chance it.
Bottom Fodder
Silver $$ Contributor
If I have to mix two powders to make something shoot that something is going to find a new home!
One way to do it consistently, but a pain in the ass would be to use two Throwers. If you wanted 28 grains do 14 grains of each. No mixing, Pour one first and the second on top of the other.
Damn I might have to play with that tomorrow.
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
Ah…..but then you must test which one you dump in the case first.
How’s about dumping the two powders in a vibratory tumbler for an hour?
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
I have known some pretty prominent shooters who thought nothing of mixing powders.
Back in the early 2000’s Several of us played with mixing N130 and N133 to more or less make N132.
The Chronigraph proved that it did indeed do just that
Did it shoot any better? probably not, it was just easier to get the upper end load all in the case.
But then, a long drop tube with a slow trickle did that with 133.
Back in the early 2000’s Several of us played with mixing N130 and N133 to more or less make N132.
The Chronigraph proved that it did indeed do just that
Did it shoot any better? probably not, it was just easier to get the upper end load all in the case.
But then, a long drop tube with a slow trickle did that with 133.
I’ve mixed a bunch of powders. But two powders throws is the only true way to control it.Ah…..but then you must test which one you dump in the case first.
How’s about dumping the two powders in a vibratory tumbler for an hour?
KMart
Gold $$ Contributor
Probably 99.999% of all powder that is being sold on retail shelves has been blended/mixed by the manufacturer, to meet all the requirements of that product.
Bart.....You may have something there but I'll throw a twist
in the mix. (pun intended).....Back in the day, I had worked
with duplex and triplex loads in pistol cartridges. It was not
excepted until the 454 Casull came out. One particular powder
was too heavy to light off even with a magnum primer. The
trick was to dump in a few grains of fast pistol powder like
231, then some tissue, then the heavy charge. This lit things
up nicely......Now i would not recommend doing this in a rifle
case, but here's the twist.....Dump your charge of LT-30 first,
then your LT-32 on top of that. Seat to a compressed load to
"avoid" mixing the two powders.....Of course, I'm only putting
this out as experimental theory......Who knows !! Maybe light
off the slow powder first and let the faster powder do it's job
further down the barrel ?? As I say....Never let a bad idea go
to waste !!
in the mix. (pun intended).....Back in the day, I had worked
with duplex and triplex loads in pistol cartridges. It was not
excepted until the 454 Casull came out. One particular powder
was too heavy to light off even with a magnum primer. The
trick was to dump in a few grains of fast pistol powder like
231, then some tissue, then the heavy charge. This lit things
up nicely......Now i would not recommend doing this in a rifle
case, but here's the twist.....Dump your charge of LT-30 first,
then your LT-32 on top of that. Seat to a compressed load to
"avoid" mixing the two powders.....Of course, I'm only putting
this out as experimental theory......Who knows !! Maybe light
off the slow powder first and let the faster powder do it's job
further down the barrel ?? As I say....Never let a bad idea go
to waste !!
Witch powder goes in first fast or slow
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