Flash66 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I finished a run of .223 a couple of days ago and left about a tenth of a hopper (Dillon) of H-335. It will be another couple or three weeks before I can resume reloading. For those of you with more experience than me is it OK to leave the power in the hopper or should I take it out and put it back in the jug? I'm thinking that it doesn't hurt anything as long as direct sunlight doesn't get to it. I don't think it will corrode anything or clump up in an AC enivronment. What say you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Leave it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youngeyes Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 IMO it doesn't take any real effort to put the powder back in the jug at your cleanup. Can you leave it? Yes. I always want my presses clean and ready to load anything. Empty the primers, empty the powder and clean the press. It's the same as putting everything away and not leaving the components lying around. Just me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlmiller1 Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 If its longet than 3 weeks for some reason, do you have hopper marked with what powder is in it? Its easy to pour it back for me just to be sure i never accidentally mix up powder. Thats just me though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I always leave it. I do have a press for each caliber I load and don't change powders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Leave it. I have tool heads and powder hoppers for all my calibers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henny Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Sure you can leave it, but why? It's easy enough to empty and put in its original container. All you have to do is just remove the tool head and dump the powder back in the can / bottle or loosen the two hex head screws that hold the measure on the die, remove the measure and pour the powder back in the bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelindsey Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I leave mine and have 5 rigs set up ready to go. I just mark and date them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flash66 Posted January 24, 2015 Author Share Posted January 24, 2015 If its longet than 3 weeks for some reason, do you have hopper marked with what powder is in it? Its easy to pour it back for me just to be sure i never accidentally mix up powder. Thats just me though I am about halfway through the process of reloading 8K rounds of .223 with my 1050. Everything is set up just like I want it for when I resume in about three weeks. I know that it is not that big of a deal to empty the hopper but I don't want to do it unless I have to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asr1 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 If the powder stay in the hopper for more than 1 week it is no longer can be used, just send it to me I will dispose it for you. Don't worry I have it some time for long time in the hopper with no issue but that's me only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpshooter Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) After either w231 or 700x discoloring the clear plastic, i now put powder back into original container after each time i am done using press. I kinda like everything all cleaned up ready for next setup. It might be a bit anal to think that dumping the powder into the measure will measure more consistant then powder sitting in the measure for a while as it may have settled a bit. Edited January 24, 2015 by xpshooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natgas Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Leave it; I leave powder in the hopper for weeks/months at a time and no issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmt Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 What's the point in draining it if you're only going to refill it with the same powder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dillon Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 The residual solvents in the powder will eventually discolor and darken the hopper tube. Some powders, notably double-based handgun powders, do this faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 The residual solvents in the powder will eventually discolor and darken the hopper tube. Some powders, notably double-based handgun powders, do this faster. Perhaps Dillon should look into making a hopper that doesn't discolor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asr1 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 + 1 GrumpyOne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natgas Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 After a few years, mine aren't discolored and I use only handgun powder---but I agree with Grumpy----treat the hopper with something to prevent discoloration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmt Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 The residual solvents in the powder will eventually discolor and darken the hopper tube. Some powders, notably double-based handgun powders, do this faster. It's not discolored - it's colored - green(ish) As long as I can see the powder level it's good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandoandy Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Leave it unless you have to change the type of powder. As far as discoloration goes, who cares? Spend more time shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truborshooter Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Funny, for a bunch of guys that play in .001", measure speeds to .1 foot per second on 1200 fps, mess about in .1 of a grain to maintain consistency have no problem in treating their powder supplies poorly. All powder cans say 'store in cool, dry place', not room temperature, sunlight/or artificial lit, with varying heat and humidity. Especially something that is hydroscopic and will be measured in a .1 grain. Powder measures are not airtight. The solvents that discolor the hoppers also vaporize into you house. Powder containers are airtight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dillon Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 We do reformulate the plastic used to mold the hopper tube as improvements are available. The current production tubes are less susceptible to it, but no transparent plastic currently exists that is entirely resistant that can be produced affordably, or can be molded. We won't change to a metal or glass tube, nor to an opaque plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amada8 Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 All powder cans say 'store in cool, dry place', not room temperature, sunlight/or artificial lit, with varying heat and humidity. Wondering if a crawl space under a "modern" house would work with factory sealed containers, only bringing to the bench what is needed for the next coupla months. My garage is OK Oct-April....but summers get 90°-ish in the garage. Inside is obviously room temp./ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Funny, for a bunch of guys that play in .001", measure speeds to .1 foot per second on 1200 fps, mess about in .1 of a grain to maintain consistency have no problem in treating their powder supplies poorly. Leaving powder in my hoppers continues to produce excellent ammo consistency. When I top it up, that's when an extra .1 of a grain gets pushed into the charge bar. Therefore, I reduce the amount of times I mess with my hopper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigs Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 All clear plastic powder hoppers turn yellow if you leave powder in them (from any manufacturer). It doesn't hurt anything and I've never seen one get brittle from that I can tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 (edited) Funny, for a bunch of guys that play in .001", measure speeds to .1 foot per second on 1200 fps, mess about in .1 of a grain to maintain consistency have no problem in treating their powder supplies poorly. All powder cans say 'store in cool, dry place', not room temperature, sunlight/or artificial lit, with varying heat and humidity. Especially something that is hydroscopic and will be measured in a .1 grain. Powder measures are not airtight. The solvents that discolor the hoppers also vaporize into you house. Powder containers are airtight. Huh? Like I said, leave it in the hopper. Edited January 29, 2015 by Sarge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now