Mixing diferent Lots of the same Powder

[Rocky Raab]

The downside to that method is that it only takes one round to wreck a rifle.

I'd think it far better to distribute the few grains of old powder thoroughly amid the new stuff. You'd only end up with one or two kernels of the old stuff in each load of the new, and that cannot possibly affect anything at all.

Canister-grade powder must be within 3% of performance from lot to lot before it can be labelled and sold as the same powder. Most lots are MUCH closer together than that. That's why I've never had a problem with mixing the old into the new.

Or think of it this way: If the new lot is "slower" then mixing in a bit of the "faster" old lot will bring it closer to standard. The same occurs in reverse. If the new lot is "faster" then a dribble of the old "slower" lot ALSO brings it closer to standard. You cannot lose either way.