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Random reloading question

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  • Dawico

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    So I am just curious and figured somebody here might know. My searches have proven futile.

    How much powder is in a "lot"? Is it one batch, a certain total weight, or do they run a continuous mix and change lot numbers at each testing point?

    Same question about primer lots.

    I assume different manufacturers have different processes but any information would be appreciated.
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    orbitup

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    As far as I know it is a batch....thus every portion of the lot is the "same".

    So helpful.

    167ld04.jpg


    How much though and how do you know?
     

    Vaquero

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    So I am just curious and figured somebody here might know. My searches have proven futile.

    How much powder is in a "lot"? Is it one batch, a certain total weight, or do they run a continuous mix and change lot numbers at each testing point?

    Same question about primer lots.

    I assume different manufacturers have different processes but any information would be appreciated.
    Good question.
    Curious myself.
     

    navyguy

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    In manufacturing, a lot is one production run. One mix of the recipe so to speak. Different products (powers in the case of gun powder) will naturally have different lot sizes. A very popular product will have likely have a larger lot size than some specialty products. The lot size will also be driven by the capacity of the manufacturing facility's equipment. Larger companies will probably have bigger faster equipment.
     

    ROGER4314

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    Powder manufacturing is a "process", so it's doubtful that they'd fire it up for small batches. No other information here. Good question, though!

    Flash
     

    Dawico

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    So curiosity got me and I called Hodgdon and CCI to see what kind of information I could get.

    I figure the general process is similar with other manufacturers so good enough for me. Both CS departments were very helpful.

    Hodgdon makes powder mix in one batch per lot. That batch may run from 5,000 lbs to 20,000 lbs depending on demand for that powder. The next batch is a new lot number.

    CCI makes priming compound in 25 lb batches and multiple batches may go into one "day lot". Each day lot may contain up to 1 million primers. When those primers are loaded the lot number changes.
     

    robertc1024

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    Well, there ya go. Those #'s sound very reasonable to me. Glad your curiosity got an answer.
     

    Dawico

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    Since I had CCI on the phone, I had to ask another popular question.

    Their regular and Benchrest primers use the same compound. The Benchrest primer maker is a seasoned employee and those primers go through more quality control and testing. That is where the extra expense comes from.
     

    DubiousDan

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    Powder manufacturing is a "process", so it's doubtful that they'd fire it up for small batches. No other information here. Good question, though!

    Flash
    Thanks for the answer, what was the question? Is it in another thread? This thread starts with #11.

    Never mind, I clicked on "Dawico, Yesterday at 8:23 PM," and it took me to the first page. I didn't see that it was two pages.
     

    dee

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    Since I had CCI on the phone, I had to ask another popular question.

    Their regular and Benchrest primers use the same compound. The Benchrest primer maker is a seasoned employee and those primers go through more quality control and testing. That is where the extra expense comes from.

    There used to be a great writeup on primers by German Salazar (legendary in nra across the course and nra long range) but sadly his blog has been deleted. It had several tests and primer reviews were awesome. For the most part I remember all being the same as their standard counterparts although I know some are different in color. I've never been able to tell a difference in velocity/sd/es or in accuracy, then again I'm no bench shooter either.

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    just country

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    morning, I have 67lbs. of powders.
    I have 20 different makers of powders.
    to some that is a lot.
    now powder is made in
    lots depending on the seasonal run and demand.
    each manufacture makes powders for different
    manufactures of bullets, casing and calibers.
    I hoard cases, bullets, primers and powders. I reload
    many different calibers of rifles. each
    caliber of rifle shoots a different powder weight and bullet.
    some rifle manufactures test there rifles before shipping.
    justme gbot tum
     
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