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Changing out powder?

18K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  James 
#1 ·
So what the best method for cleaning out a powder hopper from one powder to another to avoid cross contamination? I just finished off all my Power Pistol (thanks Dr. Jenks) and now it's time to move on to my stash of TightGroup.

Also I'd love to hear anyones TightGroup loads for 9mm 124Gr round nose.
 
#2 ·
Dump it.

Cycle it.

Inspect.

Cycle it again.

Double check.

Call it good.

However... I never leave powder in a powder measure of any kind. It's just begging for mis-identification, contamination (oil, humidity, dust, cockroaches... whatever), or diminished efficacy; and it stains the hopper(s).
Whenever I'm done with a loading session that involved the powder measure, I remove it from the press or stand, dump the powder into its original container, cycle the measure a few times to make sure the drum/rotor is clear, and then visually inspect to make sure the metering chamber and hopper are clean. If there are some residual granules, I knock them into the metering chamber with a clean paint brush and cycle them through.
If it was a fast powder, I'll also remove the funnel, adapter, or any other attachment that granules might get caught on in the discharge orifice, and make sure that's clean. I don't want Titegroup mixing with my 4350...
 
#4 ·
D-FIN said:
Also I'd love to hear anyones TightGroup loads for 9mm 124Gr round nose.
The Hodgdon website is showing a charge range of 3.6-4.1 grs for 9mm 124 gr RN. TiteGroup is very similar to Bullseye in terms of metering, charge weights, and burn rates.

Also, I just pour out my hopper and run the charge lever a few times to clean it. I have a Hornady powder dispenser and it doesn't seem to be too sticky with powders. I also don't fret over a flake/particle or two left in the hopper. Oh, and I don't ever leave powder in the hopper between sessions.
 
#5 ·
FrankenHollow said:
Dump it.

Cycle it.

Inspect.

Cycle it again.

Double check.

Call it good.

However... I never leave powder in a powder measure of any kind. It's just begging for mis-identification, contamination (oil, humidity, dust, cockroaches... whatever), or diminished efficacy; and it stains the hopper(s).
Whenever I'm done with a loading session that involved the powder measure, I remove it from the press or stand, dump the powder into its original container, cycle the measure a few times to make sure the drum/rotor is clear, and then visually inspect to make sure the metering chamber and hopper are clean. If there are some residual granules, I knock them into the metering chamber with a clean paint brush and cycle them through.
If it was a fast powder, I'll also remove the funnel, adapter, or any other attachment that granules might get caught on in the discharge orifice, and make sure that's clean. I don't want Titegroup mixing with my 4350...
I don't have a slew a different powders so getting it mixed up was not an issue (Yet) I just didn't open any TightGroup until the Power Pistol was gone. I try not to leave powder in the hopper either but so far I have only had the one kind in it.
 
#6 ·
Is your 124 gr RN a jacketed bullet, or cast?

When I was still using Titegroup, I ran 3.4 gr behind 120 gr to 125 gr lead Flat Points (wide, short truncated cone) or LRNs. It was a little light, compared to many other loads, but functioned well. Accuracy wasn't stellar, but none of the fast powders have really liked my Ruger, anyway. (Unique is about as fast as I can go.)

It looks like I still have a few rounds left over from an old 124 gr JHP load, as well (likely Remington bullets, but I don't know for certain - I loaded it in 1998 or 1999 when I didn't keep the best records). The data shows 4.2 gr Titegroup, with a COAL of 1.094" (same as my LFPs). Winchester primers in mixed brass. (Which means that I tested the load in every head stamp that I had on hand, and it was safe across the board -- at least in my Ruger.)
 
#7 ·
They are Extreme bullets Copper Plated

http://www.xtremebullets.com/9mm-124-RN ... -b0500.htm

My Lee autodisk says I can get TigthGroup in following hole setting within my range.

.30 = 3.5 gr
.32 = 3.8 gr
.34 = 4.0 gr
.37 = 4.4 gr

there is no need to go above that. When running Power Pistol I was shooting for 5 gr bu the autodisk was giving 4.9 gr the most consistently so that is what I went with but I think the setting I was using was supposed to give me 5.2 gr according the table Lee provides. So I suspect my actual values will vary from that.

Others have said they like 3.5-3.8 of TG with Extreme's 124g HP bullet so what I am hearing here sound about right. I'm not sure how soon I will actually get to working on it. My ammo box if fairly full and I to make the time.
 
#8 ·
Hmmmm, I attempted to apply above, but something went wrong. Lessee, to empty the powder measure: Unfasten it from the table and pour the contents back into the can of powder you were using. Make a visual inspection. Rule: Only one can of powder on the bench at a time. You don't want to mix up two types of powder. Yes, it is good to always empty the measure when you are done loading. Next go around you may wonder what's in the measure if you left some in it.
 
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