Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default Stupid mistake. Did I contaminate powder ?

    Last night I did some reloading of 9mm on my Lee Turret press using their Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure.
    After finishing up a batch of 9mm. I decided to switch over to 45 colt.

    But I had a huge brain fart when doing the switch over.
    I never turned the powder measure to the OFF position and do a couple passes of the Powder Through Expanding Die to empty the disk.
    Hence when I unscrewed and lifted the hopper. Powder began pouring out of the bottom of the hopper.
    It only took me a split second to realize my stupidity.
    To stop the powder; I used my bare finger as a stopper on the bottom of the hopper.

    At this point; with about 1/2 cup of powder spilled all over the press/bench.
    I decided not to do anymore reloading and pack everything up.
    Using my free hand; I opened the powder bottle and poured the contents of the hopper into it.

    So my question to everyone is.
    Was my bare finger being used as a stopper; enough to contaminate the whole bottle of powder ?

    Thanks,
    --ET

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    next to my neighbor, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Stupid mistake. Did I contaminate powder ?

    Are you asking if just touching the powder was bad for it?

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Default Re: Stupid mistake. Did I contaminate powder ?

    What was on your finger with the kind of power to contaminate the whole bottle? A trace of skin oil should not have any significant effect.
    Illegitimus non carborundum est

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    South East of disorder
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    Default Re: Stupid mistake. Did I contaminate powder ?

    I very highly doubt that your finger touching a few grains of powder spoiled the whole bottle. I say your safe!
    Aggies Coach Really ??? Take off the tin foil bro.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Levittown, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Stupid mistake. Did I contaminate powder ?

    Rotate and shake the bottle to distribute the few grains you touched throughout the contained powder if worried about it.

    I think your finger would have to be moist to contaminate powder, and if moist, some powder would stick to your finger. Non stuck, see upper line.
    Last edited by Bang; March 28th, 2017 at 11:42 AM.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Stupid mistake. Did I contaminate powder ?

    Thanks for all the replies guys !

    I was not certain how much (or rather little) skin oil would affect powder.

    By all your replies; I'd say my powder is fine.

    Thanks again !
    --ET

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
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    Quakertown, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Stupid mistake. Did I contaminate powder ?

    It depends on where your finger was before you used it to stop the powder spill.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
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    Levittown, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Stupid mistake. Did I contaminate powder ?

    Maybe leave the top open and keep in frig with the light on? Yeast likes warm moist dark conditions...

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
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    Tucson, Arizona
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    Default Re: Stupid mistake. Did I contaminate powder ?

    Again, what could be on your finger to hurt the powder? People have been "touching" powder for hundreds of years now without issue.

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