Powder storage logic 101...?

[jamesdmock]

I have this friend who shoots a lot, and reloads. He was by my house to see my 405 yesterday afternoon. He saw my two 8lb kegs of RL-33 sitting in my old refrigerator, which no long works, but is great for powder storage.

He told me that buying 8lb kegs is a bad idea. He says eight 1lb containers is the only way to go for that amount of powder. Opening the keg exposes the powder to air each time you do so; and that the sealed one-pounders will provide more consistent and accurate ammunition by opening one at a time.

Any thoughts on this?

Rich

I don't know how many of you have used H 4831 from WWII that was packaged in 50 # drums and sold for 50 cents a pound. This was from Bruce Hodgdon and he also sold H 4895. I have shot quite a bit of the 4831 and it performed well. Some powders don't store as well as does the 4831. GI 322 is an example and one should keep an eye on it....especially if it is subjected to warm temperatures.

 

[okie]

Reopened a bottle of Blue Dot the other day. I remembered that it had been a while since i had used it. Dumped some powder out into a pan and it definately looked Green, like green dot. Looked at the side of the bottle. Dated 7-95, looks like it has been a while. I tossed it for 2 reasons.
Could possibly be GreenDot by some mistake,
Was definately old.
Either way i replaced it for $26. Not worth the risk and head ache.

yep

 

[Uthink Uknow]

He tells me that he has used a Neil Jones volume measure for many years. He opens up a fresh 8lb Keg, arrives at his setting, checking against an Ainsworth scale; and used the keg over a two year period. Started in April, new BR season, and only opened it to transfer enough powder to load a 6PPC for two matches. About a hundred rounds worth of powder was poured out each time, and the measure was double checked against an Ainsworth scale each time from his air conditioned gunroom. October, about 3.5 to 4 pounds worth of powder, and the Ainsworth said the weight had dropped enough to require two more clicks on the measure to regain the weight loss. He had about four other cartridges/loads with different powders over a three year or so period require an adjustment. That is when he switched to buying a case or more from one lot of one pounders.

As an aside, most short range Br shooters cannot tell you what their 6PPC powder charge is, just what a good Culver, Harrel, or Jones measure setting # is. At the Super Shoot, I watched shooters fire a 5-shot group at 300yds that measured in the mid to low .2moa dumping from a measure. That's hide all five with a nickel accuracy.

If you are focused enough to weigh powder charges to one kernel of powder, should this be a concern to you?

My two kegs are full of RL-33, and I am using about an ice cream scoop full to load my 338 LAPUA.

Just kidding, I have two electronic scales, and about every 10th charge is weighed, often on both.

As another aside, every shipment, the powder companies "blend" the total. That helps keep the change to an insignificant amount to normal people.

I didn't know you can legally shoot 300 yards at Super Shoot.