Red Ryder Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 It can get fairly humid in my garage after a thunderstorm. Should I hold off on reloading that day? Has anyone had any problems reloading because of high humidity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I've read the -yes, smokeless powder is hygroscopic, no it's not hygroscopic- discussions on various boards and have no idea if it is or isn't....all I can tell you is this >> I live in Florida and reload in my garage if I waited until it was less then 50% RH I would never be able to reload. Also, I have a few powders from when I lived in California, 20 years ago (I do store powders in air conditioned storage since I moved to Florida). If I load one of the old powders using the same data I used when I loaded them in the dry conditions of California, I get very similar chrono results. That is my experience, anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postal Bob Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 (edited) What I've found is when reloading in humid conditions is that my powder measure dispenses about .1-.2 grains less. The reason being moisture is absorbed by the powder and fluffs up or swells ever so slight, increasing the volume. And when using a powder measure that dispenseds by a set volume, means you actually get less weight. And in extremely dry conditions you end up with more weight per volume. The amount it changes is dependant upon the type of powder being used. Flake type problaby has the most change versus a tubular rifle powder. Edited July 24, 2012 by Postal Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Ryder Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 I thought I might hear from the "Florida" crowd! My fear is that I will have duds from the increased moisture. I have reloaded over 10,000 rounds and have never had a failure to fire or any other bullet problems. Any truth to this anxiety? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmw5142 Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I live in Florida, reload in my garage and sometimes reload with the garage door open with the pouring rain 20 feet away. No problems here. OH... and I leave powder in both measures constantly in same conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmw5142 Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Then again, it's probably 110 degrees in there with the door closed on days it doesn't rain to dry the powder back out... I figure it's a wash LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Arguably, there may be some effect from RH if you are loading some serious precision rifle rounds, but for us mere mortals loading the standard rifle/pistol/shotgun fodder I haven't experienced it. I believe you can safely put your anxiety over humidity affecting your loads to rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Ryder Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Thanks. I'll put down the bottle of Xanax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postal Bob Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Unless the cases are dripping with condensation, you won't have any duds due to high humidity. It's more of a problem of you being outright uncomfortable and sweaty. Remember, you want to be alert when reloading, not tired, sweaty, and uncomfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve D. Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Great Question RED RYDER and thanks for all the answers. I'va always wondered about this but never when I am the computer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I've always wondered, how does it feel to be a computer ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PROBIKE101 Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 you think the heat affects accuracy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 I live in Florida and the heat and humidity is why I have a gun / reloading room in the house. I would not reload in the summer if I had to do it in the garage.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FightFireJay Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 Humidity? Couldn't say... However, High temps in my garage during a Phoenix summer (110-130*F) were causing my TiteGroup to stick to my Lee Pro-Autodisk and give me .1-.4 gr difference in charge. I bought a Lee 3 legged loading stand, put my press on it, moved inside for the summer, and now I reload in the comfort of AC and my wife LIKES it! I can reload inside in comfort, my wife can "spend time with me" even if I'm being quiet while reloading (instead of "hiding in the garage", and my loads are more consistent than ever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowdyb Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Sorry for the necro thread, but I'm having horrible issues with powder clumping in my hopper after even just as little as 4 days of no usage. Is the only option emptying it every time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 1 minute ago, rowdyb said: Sorry for the necro thread, but I'm having horrible issues with powder clumping in my hopper after even just as little as 4 days of no usage. Is the only option emptying it every time? Might try a room dehumidifier. But emptying the hopper is cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowdyb Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Not sure a room unit would work for a 3 car garage, non stop, year round. But I'd be willing to spend $200 to not empty my hopper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuckinMS Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 rent one from a rental equipment/tool store and try it. Just remember that you still need to empty the hopper so you know it started " fresh" for the test. You can use a dryer sheet to run through the hopper to reduce static on the plastic before filling the hopper back up. If the test works, buy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowdyb Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Thank you. The wall gauge I have pretty much shows it is never below 50% humidity in my garage ever, year round. And in the summer is often closer to 70%. Evidently that's too humid for how I do things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuckinMS Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 That's life in the south for sure. Good luck and keep me posted on the outcome. I am considering building a room to load in, in my garage but I will add another HVAC duct and 6 x 12 vent with an exterior door to keep that area close to the same temp as the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Didn't realize it was in a garage, year round, in the south. still though it might work. I have insulated garage doors and often when working on projects I will leave door from house to garage open and let AC flow out there. It stays remarkably cool and dry even in very humid hot weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 2 hours ago, Sarge said: It stays remarkably cool and dry even in very humid hot weather. Trust me, Sarge, you do NOT get Very Humid Hot weather in OHIO - visit me in the Orlando area anytime in June, July, August or September and I'll show you HHH But, doesn't seem to affect my powder too much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Well, typically no. Two weeks ago we had a week of high temps and a Dewpoint of 79 degrees. Weather guy said we were experiencing typical Mississippi weather. Generally though we only average 85 degrees right now but can get pretty high humidity at times. Yeah, no Florida in summer for me my friend. That's just nuts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 2 hours ago, Sarge said: no Florida in summer for me. That's just nuts! Yeah, and no Ohio in Winter - that's just plain nuts, and dangerous if you drive to work .... We'd always get a few weeks of HHH in NY and NJ (where I lived until 3 years ago) every summer, but FL we get 18 - 20 weeks HHH in a row, without a break Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrench459 Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Dang it Now I've got to stop reloading during the summer time here in central jawga. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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