Gun Powder Cans

[Murray Brook]

Was wondering why powder companies use such large cans. Is there a reason for this. I was lucky enough to get 4 lbs of AR-Comp this morning of the same lot #. I was able to get the 4 lbs in 2 of the cans. Most if not all of the powder companies use larger canisters than needed and this takes up space in the reloading room. Is it OK to put 2 lbs in a 1 lb container. Your thoughts please.

 

[SEM]

some powders are bulkier than others so a one size fits all is cheaper for the company to stock and label, I do the same one lot together as long as I make a note on the bottle, I keep empties so when I get down to the last few pounds in an 8 pounder I can save the space I peel the label and fix it to the smaller container, I would also add I would NEVER sell to anyone any powder I moved from its original container

 

[M-61]

I would never put one powder in even an identical can. That’s me.
As far as selling powder? I will not do it.
Short while ago I was given maybe a dozen cans of powder from an acquaintance’s widow. All in a cardboard box. Some of the cans were opened and others had masking tape on them with a different number. Could have all been fine but no one will ever know. Dumped them all and never shed a tear.

 

[Big Mc]

Was wondering why powder companies use such large cans. Is there a reason for this. I was lucky enough to get 4 lbs of AR-Comp this morning of the same lot #. I was able to get the 4 lbs in 2 of the cans. Most if not all of the powder companies use larger canisters than needed and this takes up space in the reloading room. Is it OK to put 2 lbs in a 1 lb container. Your thoughts please.

If it comes in a big jug ,i keep it in a big jug. But that,s just me. Tommy Mc . i started loading in 1963 .HAVE NOT had any problems with this system..

 

[JMayo]

I would think you can put it in anything that makes sense .... not going to hurt the powder....
My Varget 8lbs got down to 1.5lbs and i had an empty 1lb jug....

 

[Uthink Uknow]

No. No. And No
The space is so they (the company and retailer) aren’t crowding too much powder into too small a space.

 

[TC260]

The one that gets me is gun show dealers selling misc cans of powder with hand written labels. I'm afraid to do that to my own powders, no chance in heck I'm buying somebody else's mystery powder. I was at a gun show this weekend and a dealer had a 50 box of somebody's 7-30 Waters reloads. Asked him how much just to see how brazen he was...$90!! I just laughed and said I can't believe you guys are actually trying to sell unknown handloads, I wouldn't touch that garbage with a 10' pole.

 

[3Ackleys]

Maybe just my OCD, but I won't break the seal on a new can, until I'm ready to use it. Don't want to let any air in there before necessary.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I would never put one powder in even an identical can. That’s me.
As far as selling powder? I will not do it.
Short while ago I was given maybe a dozen cans of powder from an acquaintance’s widow. All in a cardboard box. Some of the cans were opened and others had masking tape on them with a different number. Could have all been fine but no one will ever know. Dumped them all and never shed a tear.

I feel the same way. I’m not going to be buying any from a pawn shop either.

 

[Murray Brook]

Maybe I didn't word my question properly in my original post. In every 1 lb bottle of Alliant powder there is appx a 50% air space. Is this for a reason.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

it’s for the same reason there is so much space between primers……less chance of violent explosion Or fire.

 

[Medic505]

Yes

But why?

Because.

Because why?

Because that's the way we've always done it.

Ok, But why????

 

[Hntndad]

My guess is because the powder company doesn’t make the containers. They are available in quart,gallon, pint, liter etc…

 

[Uthink Uknow]

Keep on guessing. I got my information from Kaltron-Pettibone.

 

[coldboreshot]

This may be for expansion and contraction of the containers through various atmosperic pressures, I would assume.

 

[6.5 forever]

My understanding, correct me if I am wrong.
Powder ships from Australia in larger containers which Hogdon repackages into 1 and 8 lb. I wonder if that container size has anything to do with domestic hazmat regulations.

 

[Just Say Moe]

They only stock limited size jugs for a reason. If you had a smaller 1lb container for certain powders, it would impact the size of the case/outer box of 10, which would be smaller, which would not stack well on a pallet with other cases of "regular 1lb" jugs. One size jug, one size case, one size pallet, one size truckload. Logistics.

Also, their filling machines are probably calibrated for one size jug. Stopping to readjust for another size would cost unnecessary time.

 

[6.5 forever]

They only stock limited size jugs for a reason. If you had a smaller 1lb container for certain powders, it would impact the size of the case/outer box of 10, which would be smaller, which would not stack well on a pallet with other cases of "regular 1lb" jugs. One size jug, one size case, one size pallet, one size truckload. Logistics.

This makes sense.

 

[JMayo]

I bought some universal, 4lbs. It was in a 8lb jug size ....i got ripped, i thought it was 8lbs.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

Vit used to ship their powder in 4 ton containers, one ton at a time. Again, to allow for explosion or fire space. Kaltron- Pettibone sent me 44 pounds in a cylinder capable of holding probably 88 pounds. Again, to allow for expansion in case of fire or explosion. If Vihta Vouri or Alliant or Western Powder wanted to ship powder in jars capable of holding the assigned weight they could buy appropriate sized containers to fill their need. But they can’t, DOT, and every other governing body requires ample room on the ships, train, truck, or other mode of transportation. End of story.
Who here has ever weighed their new half full/half empty container. I thought not.