Most Reloaders Ignore This, but shouldn't - How Humidity is Affecting your Handloads!

[@MaxairEngineering]

This really answered a lot of questions as to why I was seeing with hotter loads due to powder drying out. I have been finding that my open powder cans dry to high 30s low 40s here in Semi arid Wyoming. I have started using the 49% Boveda packs for cans that are below 45% RH. Sadly a lot of my cans are 1lbers and my D3 Kestrel Drop would not fit through the opening for monitoring . After much searching, I found a humidity device about the size of a quarter from Blue Maestro. The Maestro disk works perfect. I do wrap it in some nylon stocking type material to keep powder out of the vents. I tie a string around that and lower it in leaving the string end out for retrieval.I jostle the can around to bury it in powder so I am reading that instead of the air. I also tape a string to the 49% pack and hang it rather than let it lay on the powder. This may be overkill but I worry that powder touching the pack might “soak” more moisture. According to the manufacturer the 49%, unlike the others, are designed to range from high 50s new, to 40s as they deplete. One thing I don’t do is leave powder in the hopper any more than I have to. I have purchased open cans of powder that were dryer than mine and I suspect this is why.

[@cornbreadburgess1950]

Yep all things considered , reloaders have to keep powder and loads in consistent controlled storage.thanks for the research and work you do.love the channel,it makes me better understand how important all the variables are.

[@rotasaustralis]

Excellent info dude. I have wondered about the effect of humidity on powder performance but, haven't seen any testing except yours. Really good stuff. I've no doubt a lot of shooters could make good use of your findings.

[@BoltActionReloading]

I really wonder if some powders are more or less sensitive to this. When I initially set out to do this, I was guessing it would be a much smaller factor, but clearly I was wrong.

[@rotasaustralis]

@@BoltActionReloading That's a good question. I wonder if a test could be designed to answer that question. Just thinking. If it were mainly the water content of the powder, I think it would easier to deal with than the burn rate changing. It would be good to know I think. I wonder if it would be worth putting the question to some of the powder manufacturers. I'm in Australia so I'll fwd an email to Thales & see what they're willing to tell me. I'll add a link to your video & hopefully they might give us some tid bits. Thanks again dude. Excellent video.

[@boydallen8059]

This is a really great video. Your experiment was perfect. I will mention one thing, If you are using a load that was developed before the powder dried out, and weighing your charges you will have more individual granules of powder in the drier charge than you did when it was at a higher moister content.This will increase the difference in wet to dry velocities over what your test showed. This could be tested. You could also roughly calulate it by looking at the difference in velocities of close charge weights from a loading manual.

[@Jeff_Seely]

These are very interesting findings. When I started watching this video I thought to myself that powder was not so hydroscopic to take on even 1% increase in weight, however it is! I would imagine that ball powders are even more hydroscopic, owing to their greater surface area. That would be an interesting study as well. Great video!

[@juliusjames5577]

Excellent information! Thanks. I didn’t humidity would affect powder that much. Now we need a temp/humidity stable powder.

[@BoltActionReloading]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barrywood9994]

Easier on our end to use a dehumidifier

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Oh man. This is good to know but a bit discouraging. I did have a discouraging range trip not long ago. I lost 60+ fps on a loading. I sought a family member who is a chemist - a fellow shooter/reloader. He had similar assessment as you all.

[@altruisticscoundrel]

More water weight (humidity) in the powder, the less boom? Makes sense

[@daveenriquez7790]

Ugh......one more reloading variable. I found your video as I was wondering 🤔 if Reloading on Rainy high humidity days was a bad idea? Appears this is more of an issue than different lots of the same powder, or being off +/- 1/10th of a grain on your handloads. Probably moisture content is what causes most of the variations in different lots of powder. Reloading must have the most variables of any hobby I have ever done. There is just so many variables to take into account on your overall completed cartridge for consistency day to day, week to week, month to month and year to year. Great videos, I appreciate your experience.

[@znutar]

I don't have the practical capability to set up what you consider a low humidity environment but what I do manage is a consistent humidity of about 40% in my basement. I like to think this would result in at least predictable and repeatable results.

[@p1choco]

If you isolate a container of powder in an ammo can with desiccant, you can conduct this experiment at low cost with minimal space.

[@BoltActionReloading]

I don't think there is anything wrong with 40%. Consistent is the most important.

[@tommoss2005]

Interesting. I have experienced unexplained velocity changes in proven loads before. What isn't so clear is to what extent this affects powder stored in the original, sealed cannisters and also loaded ammo. I am pretty meticulous when it comes to storing components, powder, etc. I never store powder in my dispensers, only decant what I will be using in any particular reloading session and always replace the cap on the cannister when not in use. So I find myself wondering just how much moisture can be absorbed during this short amount of time and also how much during storage in a sealed container and by loaded ammo?

[@BoltActionReloading]

Hi Tom, though storing in "sealed" containers certainly is better than nothing. Most of these are not "hermetic". Some change is going to occur. I really don't know of a good way to account for how fast this changes. I have heard of some people putting those kestrel drops in their powder containers, but I am not really sure that is a good idea either. I would be concerned that the chemical in the powder would deteriorate the kestrel in time. Right now I am trying to keep my storage as consistent as I can and log my humidity.

[@perchowski3021]

A trick I use is all the moisture absorbent packs I come across in boxes and medication bottles I put in my plastic water tight ammo box, and usually put a few small packets inside with the Powder itself. I live in houston, so extremely high humidity!

[@Dwayne7834]

Good information. I keep my powder primers in the factory boxes. In containers along with silica packages in the containers. And keep a eye one the silica for color change. Here in Florida we have lots of humidity. Air conditioning help.Thanks for the video

[@fredfarkle7514]

I quit keeping my reloading gear in the garage long ago due to tempreature shifts affecting the reloading die settings, etc. extreme cold and the press and dies contract, bullets get set deeper etc. Extreme heat and the opposite. I do everything indoors in air conditioned room, but the humidity can swing a bit between summer (high) and winter (low). I never stored powder of primers in the garage due to the temp and humidity swings. That is is sowed in a closet until I need it. What level % humidity range would constitute low versus high humidity? Low humidity powder (aided by desiccants) would tend to give you more over pressure loads for the same charge weight. Probably not a good idea. May also be better to buy powder in 1lb containers vs 8lb containers to keep the powder dry longer until you use it.

[@thetexasrat]

@BoltActionReloader, could you do a test where, instead of conditioning the powder before seating the bullet, you make 40 identical cartridges of powder that was stored at 50% humidity for at least one month. And then shoot 10 right off as the control group for velocities, and store 10 in a sealed ammo can at 10% humidity, 10 in a sealed ammo can at 50% humidity, and 10 in a sealed ammo can at 90% humidity for a period of a month or two. Then shot them and see what the velocity differences are?

[@HypocriticYT]

I have a bolt.223 . A couple loads shoot groups about 9 inches to the left while my other loads are dead on. What’s going on? Only the bullet type changed. My good stuff is 55g Hornady HPBT match. The stuff shooting left is 55g SPBT Noslers. I’m shooting a mod 70 Win

[@Backyard_hunting]

What if you add those packets that remove humidity in packaged items? I wonder if that will keep the humidity down to keep consistency on the loads...

[@ctech01]

So True, So True, So True. I learned this lesson a long time ago living in South Ga. The humidity is always high down here. I surprised that over time, evolution hasn't given us GILLS just to breathe down here. That's one reason why my reloading room has a dehumidifier in it to filter the moisture out of the air. Great info, Sir.👍👍👍😎

[@endutubecensorship]

Anyone know of a video on long term powder/primer/ammo storage tips?

[@babayoga3672]

What condition was the powder stored from the time it left the factory and then on the shelf?

[@fredwilliams7551]

any thoughts on a video on case fill. I would be very interested in your thoughts on using a slower burning powder that would be a larger grain of powder with the goal of filling the case for a more efficient burn because you would be closer to a 100% fill Anyway thank you for all of the help

[@andrewandersen6484]

It would be interesting to test how humidity effects primers.

[@viking9934]

Me too

[@endutubecensorship]

I've heard to avoid them being anywhere near ammonia (household cleaning products) as it deactivates primers

Oki, so if the powder is sealed in the factory container but store in a place with not controlled humidity, I will have problem with my powder ? And if I transfert the sealed container in a controlled humidity place, will it solve the problem and get back to something like factory ? Thank you.

[@BoltActionReloading]

Hi Matt, I really don't have a perfect solution for you. Knowing that this is something to look out for is the first step. I would simply keep it in the factory container, stored in as controlled environment as possible.

@@BoltActionReloading Oki, thank you for your answer.

[@30Huckleberry]

Great video. What was your software upgrade request?

[@BoltActionReloading]

Glad you like the video. I wanted to be able to shoot all at the same aim point, be able to groups the shots as I wanted and then see how the ATC measurement shifted for doing COAL or Tuner tests. I was hoping this may reduce some of the error by adjusting the setup.

[@orozcocris93]

so if you store it normally but then remove humidity right before you reload, you should be fine?

[@BoltActionReloading]

I think keeping the value consistent as possible is important. Storing / loading in extreme environments is causing more headaches then people want to admit. Drying out the powder too much is going to increase the burn rate and may raise pressures beyond "safe" levels. I mostly wanted to put some data behind these numbers and then factor in some factory examples. I thought the multiple data points that Mike provided was some good data by having so many different points.

[@lovetoflylovetofly3843]

Awesome stuff Moparman!

[@mikeakridge141]

Hey, great info. Would like to discuss impact on large caliber ammo.

[@mattfleming86]

While a finished round does not make a perfect seal, it is often better than we expect (especially with good primer pockets) I dropped a reloaded 62 gold dot/lc brass/ar comp on the ground on accident. It stayed on the ground for approx 2 to 2.5 months. Rain, hot days, cool nights.. plus the inherent moisture at ground level in WV. When I found it, the brass had already turned that funky "range puddle brass" color, but when I picked it up I could hear dry powder shaking inside. Shot fine, functioned fine, and it hit to my established zero (its my carry load) I truly think %h2o in the powder in the day of loading is EXTREMELY relevant.. but once its loaded i worry much less.

[@BoltActionReloading]

Hi Matt, I completely agree that after it is completed it is much less, but its a factor when you are talking about many years of storage. I would have measured the exact powder weight of every cartridge but the powder was all stuck together in the cases and would not come out. I am certain that these loads were somewhat compressed at the factory but certainly there was humidity exposure inside the cases from not ideal storage.

[@fredfarkle7514]

@@BoltActionReloading Factory ammo often (always) comes with primers sealed and the bullets sealed to the case to prevent water/oil intrusion. I will tell you that a little WD-40 on the bolt face will ruin your primer overnight and cause a misfire. Oil contamination is probably far worse than humidity on powder/primer. WD-40 is crap oil for guns/tools - never use it. Won't prevent rust, stains the metal, stinks, and is very penetrating. it was tested against 10 other gun Oils by Gun Tests years ago and came in last!

[@alanpeterson8511]

I would like to see a test where charges are weighed at a certain % humidity, put in cases and then change the humidity from the control group to see the difference.

[@BoltActionReloading]

HI Alan, this is literally what the first test I went over was. All were dispensed at 41.3 gr, the control group was sealed and then I exposed one group to the desiccant, the other to the humidity source.

[@greybone777]

This is why it is effective to load by VOLUME instead of weight. I believe the marine Corp snipers do this. Could be wrong. I have had great results with imr 4831 scooping a 3006 case full and pushing in a 180 gr bullet. Varget with 223 and 308 as well.

[@BoltActionReloading]

The volume is only about 1-2% of the variance of weight. Most of the variance is due to the moisture content of the powder.

[@thompsonjerry3412]

A vacuum bag and a shop vac would probably help a lot.

[@williamnicholson8133]

Might want to long store rounds with lacquer

[@barrywood9994]

Or a room with a dehumidifier

[@francoismulder1043]

Learning a lot from this video. Keeping up the good 👍work. Enjoy your videos 📹 . 👍🇿🇦

[@BoltActionReloading]

Thanks 👍

[@k2svpete]

Just to throw a spanner in the works here ..... Humidity is expressed as RH, or relative humidity. This is changed with temperature as the ability for air to absorb moisture is temperature dependent. So, 20% RH at 25 degrees is less water vapour than 20% RH at 35 degrees. 20% RH at 5 degrees is much less water vapour than either of the other temperatures. So, unless you're controlling temperature AND humidity, you're introducing another variable in the process.

[@michaelcoppola8187]

Thanks for the feedback! You’re right, and other people have mentioned that to me as well. At least for this experiment the loading and testing all happened around room temperature, but for future experiments I’m planning to record dew point instead.

[@BoltActionReloading]

I reload in a a temperature controlled house so its pretty consistent. If you temperature is not controlled you will have more reason for concern, but the data is still valid.

[@paulvenn4447]

This is why I vacuum seal loaded rounds for long term storage.

[@trigger1270]

Good Stuff! So would keeping your powder and primers in a refrigerator help?

[@BoltActionReloading]

Hi Rob, no cool and dry, not cold and dry.

[@trigger1270]

@@BoltActionReloading so would you say 75 degrees would be cool? Down south here in Louisiana humidity is a killer!

[@fredfarkle7514]

Condensation from the warm air in your powder containers would ruin the powder. Same effect when you take out the cold powder containers and they hit the warm air - most condensation inside and out around your powder!

[@cameronjaeger]

I'm curious - is the decrease in velocity because you're metering out less powder in high humidity because it has a higher water content? Or because the powder you put in the case burns slower/ less intensely?

[@michaelcoppola8187]

Both do play a role. Changing moisture content changes the "effective" charge weight, but the powder's change in burn rate has a far greater effect on velocity

[@MrRanggong]

Very eye opening. But kind of depressing thinking about all the exacting work I do to handload the perfect cartridge and then Mother Nature changes my velocities on a whim.

[@rotasaustralis]

Just a quick question. From your testing, do you think the effect we're seeing is as a result of the powder weight displacement or a change of the actual burn rate characteristics?

[@k2svpete]

Burn rate.

[@juliusjames5577]

Good question. I’m not totally convinced it’s burn rate.

[@juliusjames5577]

Good question. I’m not totally convinced it’s burn rate.

[@juliusjames5577]

Good question. I’m not totally convinced it’s burn rate.

[@juliusjames5577]

Good question. I’m not totally convinced it’s burn rate.

[@chaddfry5345]

Great info as usual. For what it's worth, the Federal Fusion date code appears to be 3rd shift, 300 WM, 2006, July 15. The Chuck Hawks website stated Federal Fusion ammo came out in Fall 2005.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

Believe it or not, Chuck Hawks was wrong. It came out in the 1990s. I graduated high school and started working at a store back in 2002. I bought Federal Fusion while I was at work. If couldn’t have been any other year, so there’s that.

[@chaddfry5345]

@@graynotescartridgebox Yeah, the date code could also mean 3rd shift, 300 WM, 1996, July 15.

[@chaddfry5345]

Federal got back to me and said 2006-2007.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

@@chaddfry5345 not true. I worked at a store my first year out of high school and I bought a box of these for deer. 2002.

[@chaddfry5345]

@@graynotescartridgebox On an unrelated note, we graduated HS the same year.

[@bobd8553]

Nice video. But that box of ammo is no way 25 years old. Fusion came out around 2005.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

I bought Fusion in 2002. If was when I worked at a store that sold it the year I graduated HS. It may say on Chuck Hawks’ (RIP) webpage, but that doesn’t make it true.

[@OvertonWindex]

My dad had several boxes from the day after my brother was born. December 1995.

[@BoltActionReloading]

I inherited my 300 win mag from my grandfather who passed away around 1999. This came with it. I wouldn't bet my life that it was his, but my dad said he hadn't shot it since he had it and I guess I should have took a pic so you could see how the cases looked. It wasn't pretty but it all went off.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

@@BoltActionReloading I’m almost 99% sure it came out in 1995.

[@WvMnts]

Interesting

[@graynotescartridgebox]

I once thought I had my load dialed in, went to the range, my velocity was off…turns out it was just Reloader series powder. 😂

[@jerrylindner5431]

How come no face?

[@BoltActionReloading]

Hi Jerry, I don't need the attention on the street. I am just here to try and help people who are interested in understanding some of the puzzles of reloading the best I can.

[@jerrylindner5431]

@@BoltActionReloading Face? But your voice would be a giveaway...😁

[@maxcoatlhunter4322]

So, between humidity, temperature and altitude ..we are screwed!

[@BoltActionReloading]

I think monitoring / controlling the humidity exposure of your components, sticking with temp stable powders whenever possible and you can measure DALT you can be a lot closer than you might think.

[@fredfarkle7514]

The ammo manufacturers overcome it, so can we. Store your stuff indoors in an air conditioned room and go for consistency. Use 1lb powder containers instead of 8 lb so they get used up quickly after they are opened. people have been reloading successfully for decades before this tidbit came out.

[@wolverinekut]

👍💯