Inadvertent Powder Mixing

[dleong]

Earlier this evening, I disassembled a single .357 Magnum handloaded cartridge with a bad primer to recover the components. The cartridge was charged with 13.5 grs. of WC820 (the milsurp equivalent of AA#9).

Unfortunately, I pulled the container of WC844 (the milsurp equivalent of H335) from the shelf instead of the one with WC820, and dumped the 13.5 grs. of WC820 into the WC844 jug, which contained a little over half a pound (3500 grs.) of WC844.

Have I created half a pound of lawn fertilizer, or is the "mix" still safe to load with WC844 data? I'm tending towards the latter as the most recent "Relative Burn Rates" chart from Hodgdon shows the two powders to be relatively close to each other (AA#9 at 57 and H335 at 82). I use the WC844 exclusively for my .223/5.56 loads at the low end of the recommended charge range.

Thanks in advance.

[OldmanFCSA]

"Shake well before use."

[andrewP]

I'm with OldmanFCSA on this one. Assuming you get it evenly distributed, you're talking about maybe 1 speck of "wrong" powder per charge you throw. I can't imagine that would have a significant effect. If you were talking about breaking down a larger number of cartridges, then maybe you'd have a problem, but unless you thoroughly wash, rather than just empty, your powder measure between uses with different powder types, you probably already have this level of "contamination" anyway.

[MJY65]

One more vote for Shake, mix, move on.

[dleong]

Alright, shaken, not stirred, it is. Thanks for the responses!

[Seismic Sam]

Don't forget to spank it while it's shaking!!

OOOOPS!!!

I forgot which forum I was on when I said that!!

[perotter]

FWIW and only sightly related to the topic.

For years I normally only have 3 powders that I use. One flake powder(Unique), one ball powder(WC820 or H110 or 296) and one stick powder(4895).

While this doesn't always allow for the optimum reload, it does make it simple-safe-and allow for less money committed to the amount of powder I keep. I does encourage one to buy 8 pounders.

About 18 months ago I did have to buy some 4198 for .223 and 7.62x39.

[Uffdaphil]

Don't forget to spank it while it's shaking!!

OOOOPS!!!

I forgot which forum I was on when I said that!!

Takes a lot to provoke the involuntary chuckle out of me. That did it. Thanks.