mixed powders anyone?

[johnschmidt]

i recently read an article in handloader magazine about a guy testing different loads for handguns and to my understanding he was mixing different powders to get optimal recipes for his handguns... has anyone heard of this does anyone do this and is it safe practice?

[twofifty]

john - it is widely believed that mixing powders is a dangerous game.

As you know there are many dozens of HG/shotgun powders out there to work up a load from, so the choice of powder/bullet/brass/primer permutations is almost infinite.

For any given bullet, most reloaders settle on the first couple powders that give them the desired results. It is nice to have an alternate load when your favorite powder is sold out.

[HunterDave]

I'm not a really experienced reloader but that is not something that I would attempt. It sounds pretty dangerous. You can get very accurate loads without mixing powders so there is really nothing to gain.

[32-40win]

Lot changes in a single powder can cause some serious trouble, alone blending two different powders. The guy you heard about doing that is either a powder company employee who has access to info you will never see or a mad scientist.
you can try it if you want, but you would be well advised to use a remote control trigger on the gun when you try it.

[johnschmidt]

thnax for the info guys much appreciated... im not trying anything with reloading that is not tested and proven so i thought i better ask first

[bobinthesky]

Originally Posted by johnschmidt

thnax for the info guys much appreciated... im not trying anything with reloading that is not tested and proven so i thought i better ask first

There's just too many variables with reloading, and too much great reloading info out there thats easy to obtain.
I'd put much distance between me and someone who is mixing powders.........

[Dumbo_Dave]

You might pick up and read the two books that P.O. Ackley wrote on his life of experimenting with guns of all kinds. He tried just about everything he could imagine. His advice is well worth repeating.... DON'T DO IT!

[CaberTosser]

I'll be trying it, right after I take these here prescription drugs with an alcohol and turpentine chaser, while riding a motorcycle doing a handstand on the handlebars on Deerfoot Trail during Friday afternoon rushhour. Right after that.

[gitrdun]

Originally Posted by CaberTosser

I'll be trying it, right after I take these here prescription drugs with an alcohol and turpentine chaser, while riding a motorcycle doing a handstand on the handlebars on Deerfoot Trail during Friday afternoon rushhour. Right after that.

You wouldn't be the first one to put on such a show

[lone wolf]

Any reliable reloading source or manual will always advise DO NOT MIX DIFFERENT POWDERS !!

[Grizzly Adams]

One of the limitations you accept, for your own good, when you go into reloading is to stick to proven concepts and mixing powders ain't one.

Grizz

[sbtennex]

Quite some time ago when we had access to a pressure gun, we messed with this idea trying to match the new ammo man'f velocities, the Light Magnum and other primo stuff. Results were conclusive - there's absolutely no math, no predictability formulae that can be used with any reliability with available powders. It's as simple as every authority will tell you - don't try it. It can be dangerous....but it sure was fun and we didn't blow anything up either.

[johnschmidt]

thanx for all the info guys much appreciated