powder on the bench

[bench]

How long do you leave your powder on the bench before you put in back in the jug.
Will be loading all week and do I have to empty my charge master 1500 everytime i take a break or overnight.

 

[savagedasher]

I leave mine half full every time I load. When I get done loading I fill it to the half way point with just the charge master cover on it. I don't like powder to be fresh out of the can. Larry

 

[JRS]

I always dump mine back into the container. I don't want to take the chance of it losing it's humidity content and getting too dry, nor have it absorb too much humidity. It only requires a few seconds to dump it into the container. There is also the possibility you might forget which powder you have in the hopper, and top it off with a different powder if loading for a different cartridge.

 

[amlevin]

A pound of powder in my Chargemaster lasts about a week in my world. I don't bother to empty it unless I'm changing powders. I just run it until I can see the dispensing tube and then add more.

 

[Joe Salt]

I believe if it's not in direct sunlight your OK! I just don't leave it weeks on end.

Joe Salt

 

[M-61]

Once I have loaded with that powder it goes back into the can. The chargemaster is easy enough to empty but I never leave the powder in it even if I know I will load some more the next day. I will not take the chance the next day winds up being a few days and although only ONE powder is on the bench I want the powder back in the can. More of a safety issue with me than anything else. Just want stop any possible mix up of powders.
Additionally, time or speed are of zero factor to me.

 

[expiper]

OP,,,I like to remove mine from my Culver measure at the end of the shooting day and put the lid on it to keep the moisture content whithin limits,,,,then next day remove the lid and install back on measure for the day of shooting and loading,,,Roger,,,

 

[Comrade Terry]

When I'm done, the powder goes back into the jug.

Quick, easy, and no questions.

Your mileage, of course, may vary.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I leave the powder jug im using next to the chargemaster and all others are stored away from it so no question as to whats in it

 

[tenring]

First rule is: Only one powder on the bench at a time. Put it on a shelf when yer dun with it.

I sometimes keep powder in the hopper, but I then cover the powder measure tube with a funnel and then a 3" lid on top of funnel, (lid from an old jar) on top. That tells me there is powder in the measure and the closed canister on my bench tells me what it is.

 

[memo43]

I've left powder in the dispenser before with no problems as well as the trickler. one thing I do is ensure everything has a lid on it and place sticky label with the name of what ever powder is in it. as well as the charge weight and oal I'm loading for.
same thing with primer tubes if I even leave just one primer in it I always place the little cardboard sleeve that comes with them.
this way I know what everything is and minimize mistakes.
Or I leave everything empty in case I wont be by the bench anytime

 

[Sniper338]

Only one powder on the bench at a time, set the jug next to the charge masters.. i know whsts in them always that way... ive left and leave powder in the charge masters for a week until i use it again, or weeks before i use it again if i get busy... left it in there over a month before... no issues... just put lids on so dust doesnt get in it... inside my house... i dont worry... never had a problem... probably safe to say ive had more accurate loads leaving it out than with newly opened and stored in containers powder...

 

[Toolbreaker]

I put my powder up at the end of every session. Consistency leading to habit.

 

[savagedasher]

I have two charge masters one is has 3'' wide blue painter tape with H 4350 on it .It sets in the far left corner of the bench with the H 4350 powder and is always filled half full of H 4350 when I' am done loading. Cover with a towel .
I find aeration of powder gives lower SD & ES.
When I load different powders I use a different charge master. But I still Aerate the powder over night. Larry

 

[jefats]

I never leave powder in the despenser for any reason after a reloading session. If I need to quit before I'm done, I put the unused powder back in its original container. Too easy to get mixed up in this fast world we live in.

 

[JamesnTN]

Mine stays in my dispensers for months at a time. I've not seen any ill effects of pressures or accuracy from this.

 

[CharlieNC]

This topic always ellicits opposing viewpoints regarding the effect of moisture. I have no idea about the equilibrium moisture level and suspect it varies for different chemistry based powders. I would like to know what the manufacturers advise on the topic, maybe I'll call a couple to ask.

 

[gaboon]

On mine chargemaster I leave the powder in it. Generally I use one type of powder. For safety I put a piece of painters tape on the lid and mark whats in.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

A powder container is not sealed enough to keep the ambient humidity out

 

[JRS]

Finally remembered where to find the info. The NORMA manual has a chapter on powder, 34 pages in length. "How to handle smokeless powder": "Smokeless powder should never be stored in open containers! The product must not come in contact with moisture, direct sunlight, oil, grease or other pollutants. Powder delivered from the factory is normally in balance with 40-65% RH. If powder is stored in unsealed containers and stored in an area with lower RH, the moisture content in the powder will decrease. This will result in higher pressure and velocity. The opposite is true if the powder is stored in an area with higher RH".

Looking at the charts and graphs they provide, as RH drops, the increase in pressure can be substantial. I'm in a good place. RH in my basement hovers around 50-53% year round.