Mixing powders?

[stubert]

So, My buddy gives me 2 lbs. of powder. The problem is, he had 1 lb. of H-4831 and 1 lb. of H-4831 SC, he mixed them together in 1 can. According to the web site the 4831 and the 4831sc are identical as far as burn rate and pressure. Heres the question, can I use them mixed or do I have $50.00 worth of fertilizer? They would be loaded into a .270 Win.

[Jim]

I wouldn't use it. That's just me, though.

[1Shirt]

Be Careful!
1Shirt!

[Snyd]

If they are the "same" then why are they different?? If it were me I'd dump it.

[Skipper]

Ask Hodgdon:
913-362-9455
Fax:
913-362-1307
E-mail:
help@hodgdon.com

[root]

He mixed them he should use them.

I wouldn't well I might in my DD but that wouldn't be a launch charge just a impact charge down range. (under the BATFE 1/4 oz limit)

[KCSO]

#1 it would have to be well mixed and #2 you would have to develop your own loading data for it. Start low and work up with a chronograph and measure case head expansion if you cant pressure test and then when you are done and go back to regular powder develop a new load. It can be done but it will be a royal pain.

[stubert]

the sc stands for short cut, so it flows through measures better.

[Reg]

What are your eyes and fingers worth ? Are you feeling lucky ??

[stubert]

So, I'm have a beautiful green lawn?

[youngda9]

With friends like that, who needs enemies.

Seriously though...check with Hogdon.

[blackthorn]

The best advice you have gotten so far is to phone Hodgdon and ask! As pointed out, the SC stands for "short cut" and as far as I know the only difference between the two powders is the length of the pieces of powder, so as long as you load by WEIGHT and NOT volume you should be OK --BUT Hodgdon can verify! 50$ is a lot to throw away if you don't have to!! Take care.

[darkroommike]

So, My buddy gives me 2 lbs. of powder. The problem is, he had 1 lb. of H-4831 and 1 lb. of H-4831 SC, he mixed them together in 1 can. According to the web site the 4831 and the 4831sc are identical as far as burn rate and pressure. Heres the question, can I use them mixed or do I have $50.00 worth of fertilizer? They would be loaded into a .270 Win.

You're friend GAVE you the powder so you're not out anything unless you try to use it; damage a gun, put out an eye, etc. The lawn sounds like the best place for this accident waiting to happen.

[stubert]

Hodgdon has been E-mailed, I will post thier answer. Thanks folks.

[Moonman]

You don't need to email anyone.

You're VIOLATING one of the primary rules of reloading, DO NOT MIX POWDERS.

The next one would be DON'T ACCEPT OPEN CONTAINERS OF POWDER FROM ANYONE.

You can get HURT or even KILLED from reloading I hope you do know.

[fredj338]

You could start low & work up, but they are NOT identical. You alos don't really know if it was IMR or H4831 he mixed, he may not even remember. The sc version will certainly burn at a diff rate than the std cut & IMR & H4831 are not the same at all. Your gun but IMO, powder is cheap.

[Wolfer]

If I was certain they were both h-4831 I load a couple grains below max and shoot it. IMO its hard to get enough 4831 in a 270 case to cause a problem. I've shot 4831 before it was SC and I've shot SC also in different 270s , always a compressed load.
I once had a successful bench rest shooter tell me his most accurate 30-06 load was to dip the case full of H-4831 and seat a Remington 180 gr core-lokt on it
Take this and any other Internet advise at your own risk!!

[cbrick]

Also, do you have any idea of how much of one powder and how much of the other? The age of either powder? How where they stored?

I would wait to hear from Hodgdon when they tell you to dump it.

If your friend knows no more about reloading than to mix powders do yourself a huge favor and NEVER shoot any of his reloads, in fact, try not to be next to him when he's shooting them (In his own firearms).

Rick

[Rocket Man]

It might be fine but I personally would be afraid of it. 40 years ago my reloader leaked powder on the work bench every time I used it. I would always clean up spilled powder before switching powders and reloading something different. One day I forgot to clean up old powder and I forgot that I had switched powders. There was about 1 teaspoon of powder spilled I cleaned it up and dumped it in with the other powder. I loaded 20 bullets next day the very first shot blew the gun into 6 pieces. I was very lucky not to be killed.

[John Boy]

Burn Rate:
124. Hodgdon H4831 & H4831SC
http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Burn%20Rates_nov10.pdf
Me? Load - Lock - Ready on the Left & Right? FIRE!

Just make sure to weigh your charges!