Harriw
Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2018
- Messages
- 282
Hey folks,
So last time I shot a round of skeet, it seemed to me that my reloads were cracking a tad sharper and recoiling a tad harder than usual. I could easily be mistaken as I only get the skeet field once a year or so these days, but I did get that impression...
I haven't changed any of the bushings on my MEC 600 Jr. since I first set it up for that load many years ago, and I know I always weigh several charges throughout a box of shells so I don't think I threw too much powder. That said, I generally reload my empties shortly after I bring them home, so the shells I shot that day were loaded many months before hand.
The only other thing I can think of is that I've left the powder in the hopper on that press for several years now. I knew it would degrade the plastic over time, but it was already smokey when I got it from the previous owner doing the same so I didn't worry too much about it (and it's the only powder I ever use on that press, or for shot shells period). Is it possible the powder degraded while sitting in the hopper for a few years? I wouldn't think so since a "sealed" powder bottle isn't really air-tight either (besides, isn't powder supposed to get weaker as it degrades)?
I'm just wondering if I should go ahead and keep using the powder left in the hopper, or just toss it in the garden and pour in some fresh powder from the bottle (then return it to the bottle when I'm finished...)?
Thanks!
So last time I shot a round of skeet, it seemed to me that my reloads were cracking a tad sharper and recoiling a tad harder than usual. I could easily be mistaken as I only get the skeet field once a year or so these days, but I did get that impression...
I haven't changed any of the bushings on my MEC 600 Jr. since I first set it up for that load many years ago, and I know I always weigh several charges throughout a box of shells so I don't think I threw too much powder. That said, I generally reload my empties shortly after I bring them home, so the shells I shot that day were loaded many months before hand.
The only other thing I can think of is that I've left the powder in the hopper on that press for several years now. I knew it would degrade the plastic over time, but it was already smokey when I got it from the previous owner doing the same so I didn't worry too much about it (and it's the only powder I ever use on that press, or for shot shells period). Is it possible the powder degraded while sitting in the hopper for a few years? I wouldn't think so since a "sealed" powder bottle isn't really air-tight either (besides, isn't powder supposed to get weaker as it degrades)?
I'm just wondering if I should go ahead and keep using the powder left in the hopper, or just toss it in the garden and pour in some fresh powder from the bottle (then return it to the bottle when I'm finished...)?
Thanks!