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11/29/2010 4:31:36 PM EDT
I searched but didn't find anything on this.  I have 50 .223 cases I primed and charged with H322 powder about 2 months ago.  Things got real busy and I never got around to seating bullets.  The charged cases have just been sitting on my bench in a loading block the whole time.  Should I dump them and start over, or is everything fine?

Thanks
11/29/2010 5:00:09 PM EDT
[#1]
I've had primed cases in a zip lock bag for two years and they all went off without a hitch but I dont know about open powder. How dry is the air in the house?

You could seat a couple bullets  and try them just so you wouldn't have to pull so many bullets if they didn't work.
11/29/2010 5:30:00 PM EDT
[#2]
I would guess they will be just fine unless the air was extremely moist.  Just a guess though.
11/29/2010 5:42:45 PM EDT
[#3]
Note for future reference: when I do that and something comes up I typically take another loading block and flip it over so that it covers them up.  I hade them sit like that for what seems like an eternity but they shoot fine.  My $0.02
11/29/2010 6:13:20 PM EDT
[#4]
Load a couple and give them a try.

You could set the cases in a low humidity spot for several hours, then load a few to try.

Another option is giving Hodgon a call.

11/30/2010 7:16:46 AM EDT
[#5]
How are you going to make sure nothing fell in the open cases?

Just about any solid object is going to raise pressures.


11/30/2010 7:23:45 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
How are you going to make sure nothing fell in the open cases?

Just about any solid object is going to raise pressures.




Dump each back on the scale - should only take a few minutes to sanity check 50 cases.
11/30/2010 10:21:48 AM EDT
[#7]
After you make sure nothing got in the cases, dump all the powder in a empty jar and label it.
On a hot sunny day set to powder out to dry some.
11/30/2010 10:56:44 AM EDT
[#8]
OK, if it's me I'm thinking 50 cases.  That's around1300 grains of powder or 3 ounces.  I could be throwing away about $4.00 worth of powder and not have to worry about all 50 going bang.  I think I throw away the powder and start over.
11/30/2010 1:52:33 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
OK, if it's me I'm thinking 50 cases.  That's around1300 grains of powder or 3 ounces.  I could be throwing away about $4.00 worth of powder and not have to worry about all 50 going bang.  I think I throw away the powder and start over.


Not a bad idea !
11/30/2010 1:59:03 PM EDT
[#10]
Some people never empty their powder measures, so powder is 'out in the air".

Not the way I roll, but I have never heard a complaint about loads not firing from this practice.

Seems to me it would depend on the humidity in your loading area.

Need moar info.
11/30/2010 2:04:28 PM EDT
[#11]
I always favor the cautious route.
If $4.00 is worth risking a failure to you then seat the bullet and good luck.
I personally would never leave anything to chance when it comes to bullets.  But that's just me.  Little old, all my fingers, toes, ears, and eyes, me
12/1/2010 5:06:49 AM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
I always favor the cautious route.
If $4.00 is worth risking a failure to you then seat the bullet and good luck.
I personally would never leave anything to chance when it comes to bullets.  But that's just me.  Little old, all my fingers, toes, ears, and eyes, me


Well, one has to have the sense to draw the line between caution and reasonable circumstance.
12/1/2010 5:16:04 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Note for future reference: when I do that and something comes up I typically take another loading block and flip it over so that it covers them up.  I hade them sit like that for what seems like an eternity but they shoot fine.  My $0.02


Good thinkin' !

12/1/2010 7:34:08 AM EDT
[#14]
Based on my 45 years of reloading experience & having left powder in cases & powder dispensers for long periods of time before completing the reloadng of charged cases,
I have had no disernable negative results.  Use the powder.  Or dump the charged cases powder back into its powder container & reload later.  The moisture concern is NOT an issue.
12/1/2010 7:45:48 AM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
Based on my 45 years of reloading experience & having left powder in cases & powder dispensers for long periods of time before completing the reloadng of charged cases,
I have had no disernable negative results.  Use the powder.  Or dump the charged cases powder back into its powder container & reload later.  The moisture concern is NOT an issue.


This is pretty much my thought on the problem and solution.  Dump the powder back, give the container a good shake, then load later.

12/1/2010 7:54:47 AM EDT
[#16]
Hercules (now Alliant ) stores powder samples in water. They have unique that is 100 years old.  When they want a comparison to a current lot; they pull some out, dry it and shoot it. Moisture is not a factor in powder performance - unless it's soaked in it
12/1/2010 9:07:39 AM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
Hercules (now Alliant ) stores powder samples in water. They have unique that is 100 years old.  When they want a comparison to a current lot; they pull some out, dry it and shoot it. Moisture is not a factor in powder performance - unless it's soaked in it


That is an interesting bit of info.  Who woulda thunk it.
12/1/2010 2:18:49 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:

Another option is giving Hodgon a call.



I don't know why, but I didn't even think of this.  I called them today and they said basically: 'Unless the environment was exceptionally damp or prone to large temperature changes (or left in the sunlight) everything should be fine.  A little dust in the cases won't hurt anything, go ahead and seat the bullets'

It wasn't the $$ I care about, it's that I trickled every one of those cases and I'm a slow trickler.  I always visually inspect a case before I seat the bullet, so I'll notice if any foreign matter got in there.  THe loading block idea is good too for future reference, thanks!
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