Ok, so I haven't had to reload for my 7mm in about 4 years and have the need to put a few more rounds together.
The last time I loaded this round, 120 gr TSX with 64.04 grains of RL-22, I had to set my powder dispenser to 61.5 grains to deliver the desired charge. So I went right to 61.5 grains on the powder dispenser (Redding brand) and poured in the remaining powder I had from the last batch (powder is now 4 yrs old). Lo and behold, I only get 59.88 grains of powder on average over a 10 pull run.
What gives? Has the powder absorbed some moisture from sitting in cold storage and now needs to be disposed of via some other pyrotechnics? because it has swollen some 6-7%?
For what it's worth, I only have about 40 rounds of powder in this old container before I bust open a new one, so if it's garbage I ain't out that much.
Note, I really like the reproducibility of this powder dispenser, so that's not what is in question. It has been very dependable and reproducible.
Note II, the powder now has a distinctly gray and charcoal coloration to it now. I don't recall it being non-uniform the last time around.
The last time I loaded this round, 120 gr TSX with 64.04 grains of RL-22, I had to set my powder dispenser to 61.5 grains to deliver the desired charge. So I went right to 61.5 grains on the powder dispenser (Redding brand) and poured in the remaining powder I had from the last batch (powder is now 4 yrs old). Lo and behold, I only get 59.88 grains of powder on average over a 10 pull run.
What gives? Has the powder absorbed some moisture from sitting in cold storage and now needs to be disposed of via some other pyrotechnics? because it has swollen some 6-7%?
For what it's worth, I only have about 40 rounds of powder in this old container before I bust open a new one, so if it's garbage I ain't out that much.
Note, I really like the reproducibility of this powder dispenser, so that's not what is in question. It has been very dependable and reproducible.
Note II, the powder now has a distinctly gray and charcoal coloration to it now. I don't recall it being non-uniform the last time around.