how long is too long?

[ANDERSON MEDIC]

I have left powder in my powder dispenser for about 48 hrs and it has still shot fine. I dont make a habit of doing it, it is so humid in TN and i dont want duds.

Just out of curiosity, what is the longest anyone has left their powder out and used it?

[jeff43]

I never leave any in mine .

[c.a.willard]

I would think that as long as your powder dispenser is a sealed unit it would last as long as it would in a jug of powder.

[ANDERSON MEDIC]

Thats probably the way to be....but i know a day wont kill it

[Jamie Jackson]

My reloading setup is in my basement and is climate controlled.

I know people caution against leaving the powder in the measure, but I have left it in my for weeks on end with no problems. It's generally Unique or W 231.

 

I always check several powder charges when I start a run and it remains consistent. Never had any "dud" issues.

 

:2cents:

[enfield]

How about in a covered RCBS measure, in an unheated shed, over the winter?  Works fine, though the carpenter bees wouldn't agree.

[ttocswob]

Too long IMO is when you forget what powder is in there. And the "forgetfulness interval" gets shorter with age ;)

Edited May 31, 2013 by ttocswob

[Dolomite_supafly]

I have had Lil'Gun sitting in my dispenser for at least 6 months now. I loaded from it this week and it is fine.

 

I needed to edit this.

 

I went to remove the Lil'Gun powder and it had actually melted into the plastic of my RCBS dispenser. The plastic powder baffle I was using was firmly glued in place as well.

 

I would caution against leaving powder in a dispenser any longer than a day or two.

Edited June 21, 2013 by Dolomite_supafly

[ANDERSON MEDIC]

Well now i feel a whole lot better for letting it sit for a day or two

[RED333]

I have done days, weeks, but not months.

Good to hear it will be OK, but still wont leave it in for months.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Giving this a bump with a warning.

 

 

I went to remove the Lil'Gun powder and it had actually melted into the plastic of my RCBS dispenser. The plastic powder baffle I was using was firmly glued in place as well.

 

I would caution against leaving powder in a dispenser any longer than a day or two

[Clod Stomper]

I have left powder in mine for months. I always label the dispenser with the type of powder in it. The worst that has happened is the clear plastic gets discolored.

After reading what happened to Dolomite's dispenser, I'll most likely stop leaving powder in it.

[Jamie Jackson]

I'm surprised to hear that Dolomite.

 

Is your reloading setup in a climate (humidity) controlled area?

[Dolomite_supafly]

Yes it is. It is in my house, not in the garage or outside.

 

It is evidentally Lil'Gun that does it. I have now read a few other reports of Lil'Gun harming other plastic dispensers.

[Jamie Jackson]

Thanks Dol. And you anticipated my next question regarding that particular powder...

 

I've never used Lil'Gun powder. If I try it I will certainly bear this in mind. Sorry that happened to you Good Sir.

 

Is your RCBS powder dispenser ruined? Or can you get the glued on powder out?

[Dolomite_supafly]

I got everything out but it took me about 30 minutes to do. It isn't ruined but the inside isn't as nice looking anymore.

 

I use Lil'Gun in my 300 Blackout but I think I am going to try a different powder now that I am into my last pound of it. I am going to start using H4227 to try to resolve an issue with molten lead when firing. I don't think it is powder related but we shall see.

[Jamie Jackson]

Glad you got it cleaned out Dol. :up:

 

Good luck on the new powder and load.

[I_Like_Pie]

This is a great way to blow up a gun.  As mentioned above it is a VERY BAD IDEA to make it a habit of leaving powder in your dispenser.  2400 or Bullseye are not something you want to flip a coin on.

[mikegideon]

Giving this a bump with a warning.

 

 

I went to remove the Lil'Gun powder and it had actually melted into the plastic of my RCBS dispenser. The plastic powder baffle I was using was firmly glued in place as well.

 

I would caution against leaving powder in a dispenser any longer than a day or two

 

RCBS warns not to leave powder in their dispensers. I don't think it's just Lil' Gun. I'm not sure the warning is in the Uniflow instructions, but I'm sure it's in the instructions for the ChargeMaster. I empty my ChargeMaster within 24 hours, because I don't want to damage a $350 dispenser. It has a drain spigot, so it only takes a minute or so. I'll let my Lee AutoDisk dispensers go a little longer (2-3 days), because I have to pull them off the press to empty them. More of a pain in the butt.

 

If there's a chemical reaction between the powder and the plastic in the dispenser, it doesn't just change the plastic. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but am reasonably sure that I want my powder to perform as published. I'm not worried about kabooms.

 

My reloading room is in the house too.

Edited June 22, 2013 by mikegideon