Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Big "oops" now what do I do. Dumped 2-3 oz of IMR 4350 into mostly full, 1lb jug of R-15

While emptying my powder dispenser, I inadvertently dumped it into the wrong powder jug. I emptied 2-3 oz of IMR 4350 into a mostly full jug of R-15. What should I do? Options that occur to me are to stick with starting loads only. Use for plinking with light loads and bulk bullets?? Or should I just dump the whole pound of R-15???? I just hate to waste $25... What say you.

Dump it.

I'd dump it. Not worth ANY risk for $25.

+1! Not worth it to try and use it.

I'd just go ahead and dump it and get it over with. There is no way it's worth the risks involved to try to salvage it.

+1, Definitely dump it, don't screw around, there's no way to safely use it, put it in a bald spot in the yard and soak it with water, it makes good fertilizer. Now you know to pay attention at all times, I've done it before myself, it sucks, but that's only way to fix it. This is what I do to avoid that in the future, only have the canister of powder sitting out that you are using, you could also write the name of the powder you're using on a piece of tape and stick it on your powder measure as well.

Dump it.

I'm not a chemist and don't think anyone else could tell you how two different powders will react when mixed together.

What I do to avoid problems like this is to use a piece of masking tape with the powder type and date purchased written on it. When I fill my powder thrower I take the tape off the can and stick on the hopper. It's staring me in the face the entire time I'm loading. When I'm done, pick up the can with no tape on it an pour the powder back in it. Tape goes back on the can.

It gives me a way of double checking what powder I'm using and which lot. It also prevents forgetting which powder is in the hopper if I step away for a few days or are loading different powders/cartridges one after the other.


fish head

Jimmy Joe,

You're a smart guy. Same idea with the tape. You were posting while I was writing.


fish head

Make firecrackers!

For sure don't load it in a cartridge! But get some kind of bang for your buck!

I know nobody else suggested this, but dump it.

Even if it were safe, it would certainly be different and inconsistent. Find something else to do with it. That could be entertaining!

Why thank you Fishhead, my knowledge mostly comes trial and error though, I know what I do from making mistakes like our friend here. My saving grace is my anal approach to reloading, double, triple, maybe even quadruple check everything your doing, I don't know how many rounds I've torn apart as a teenager because I missed one little detail that could've made a dangerous load, nonetheless thank you sir.

Fertilize your flower bed with it.

Im with every body else on this one,you should dump it for peace of mind, HOWEVER,for the sake of argument, if the 4350 kernals look different from the re-15 kernals, and all the 4350 should be on top, just start pouring it out until just the re-15 kernals are coming out

If you think you can separate it fine. If not and you like plinking I'd load up about 5 test rounds after a thorough mixing. I'd load a medium RE15 load and head to the range with the chrono and check velocity. If velocity was consistant and darn near re15 normal (which I think they will be) I'd shoot it up. Wouldn't use it for hunting but for plinking.....not a problem....it's now a "free" powder.

In did the same thing about 10 years ago and even though I was pissed at myself for being stupid I immediately took it to the back yard and burnt it just to be sure I didn't brain fart again and use it later .

Just curious. Since I've read that bulk powder is stored in water when being manufactured and doesn't break down, how will it break down to its useful components when used as fertilizer.

Good question, I don't know, I've just read in reloading manuals that it works good as fertilizer. Where'd you read that?

I have done that too....poured mine out too...sure makes one feel like a dumb azz......

IMR 4350 is slower than RL15, so if you were inclined you could mix it well, and go with RL15 load data. If anything, you would have slightly lower pressure/velocity than "book" for RL15.