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Thread: Bullseye old/new query

  1. #1
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    georgerkahn's Avatar
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    Bullseye old/new query

    Me thinks I may be over-thinking, but -- on the other hand -- really am hoping for some sound advice.
    I have Dillon 550b, and maybe an inch or so of Bullseye in the powder measure. I concluded a loading, all with this powder, and I am about to start a new, different caliber, run.
    I have an unopened 8 pound container of Bullseye.
    HERE'S MY QUERY: SHOULD I:
    1/ Just add NEW Bullseye to powder measure? or
    2/ Dump out what I have, and just use all from new container? or,
    3/ After filling, as in 1/ here above, dump it out and rigorously mix the two?
    The powder I have in measure out-dates the new powder by at least a decade, if that makes a dif.
    What would you suggest I do? I'd imagine powder lots/years production are different enough I may not assume both to have identical characteristic....
    Thanks!
    geo

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    If you think that they are two different powders, even if they have the same name, then toss the last little bit of the old.

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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    I'd use it up and not mix the two.

    If the batches didn't fall within certain parameters, they wouldn't call it Bullseye.
    It would go off to a factory where they could test the batch and use it in something for their ammo production.

    It's not like you'll blow a gun up, but you might give up some consistency in accuracy by mixing them.
    Plus, for me, I'm just not comfortable doing it.
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    OK weird answer -- if they smell the same, I'll mix them, if not it makes good fertilizer.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master 243winxb's Avatar
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    Don't mix. Test- measure total of 10 drops of each lot, with measure at same (volume) setting. Compare.

    New powder seems to always weigh more.

  6. #6
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 243winxb View Post
    Don't mix. Test- measure total of 10 drops of each lot, with measure at same (volume) setting. Compare.

    New powder seems to always weigh more.
    I've always thought that.

    What I figure is- powder has solvents in it, probably acetone.
    Over time, it evaporates, even when sealed.
    That's why when you open a ammo can, it has a smell that isn't copper, lead, or brass in origin.

    If each little speck has the same energy, old or new, when you weigh them-
    the older more dry powder will have more individual specks than new stuff with more moisture.

    So, older powder will have more volume for the same weight as new stuff does.

    I'm not one to start with maximum charges and work up...
    But when using old powder that still looks and smells 'right' I stay well away from max. charge weights.
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  7. #7
    DOR RED BEAR's Avatar
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    I usually use everything in old container before adding new powder. Probably doesn't matter but thats just how i do it.

  8. #8
    Boolit Bub
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    You are over thinking it. Just dump new BE in the hopper and keep loading. I shoot BE from the 1970's, 80's, 90's 2000's and new the last couple years. It's all Bullseye.

  9. #9
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    Bullseye is one of the oldest powders around. I have been shooting it for 40 years. I have found no difference in the lots. I would probably mix it in the 8 lb. but finishing the old up and then using the new is ok also.

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master 303Guy's Avatar
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    How does the load data for the old differ from the new?
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  11. #11
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    If I was loading for a competition, I'd dump the old powder.
    If I was loading for non-competition target shooting ammo, I'd load what's left in the hopper, and keep that small batch separate and shoot it separately (separate targets/groups) from the remainder of the batch.
    If I was just loading for plinking/fun ammo, I'd top off the hopper with new powder and just start loading, because as others said, Bullseye is Bullseye, even if one it a decade old than the other.

    edit: I would suggest checking weights for your powder throw settings to varify that the old powder is throwing similar/same as the new. If the throws are different enough....well, we all know what that means...Dump the old and correct the setting for the new.
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  12. #12
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    Go here (post #168)to see what variation there was in Bullseye over 60 yrs. I'd pour the new in. If you click on the picture you can see the 10 shot velocities for 60 yrs worth of BE. Coincidentally the 1950's BE was exactly identical to the newest! How's that for uniformity!
    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...oad-quot/page9
    Last edited by fecmech; 04-19-2019 at 10:31 AM.
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  13. #13
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    I'd fill with the new and do the mix - an inch worth dumped in an 8lb'r aint gonna mean squat.

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