[moving1956]

I suffered a bit of brain fade last night and poured about a pound of 8s into
an 8 pound jug of powder. No shot came out when I refilled the powder reservoir on the reloader but I'm anticipating some difficulty as the powder level gets lower.
I'm sure all of the reloaders on this site have never made an error this brain
dead, but maybe one of you has heard of a technique for seperating powder and
shot.
I'd appreciate any thoughts on this problem.
Paul Grisanti

 

[Border Bandit]

I use a slotted box that won't allow the shot to pass, and simply shake the powder out, for the times when some dope forgets to drop a wad, and the two componants get mixed. In your case, since there's a large volume, I suggest you keep shaking the jug to insure the shot migrates to the bottom and sift out the shot when the volume gets low enough. mike

 

[H82MIS]

Sorry Mr 1956,,but if I did anything that dumb (chuckle chuckle) I 'll be damned if I would tell anyone,,, you've got balls as big as church bells,,,,,

 

[Irfner]

Not as hard as it sounds. I use a small hand held wire mesh strainer that is available in most store kitchen sections. The powder will pass through the strainer and the shot will be retained. Cost about two bucks. It is also handy when powder and shot accidentally get mixed during reloading. As in "forgot the wad". Just watch the wire size when purchasing since several sizes are available.

 

[cubancigar2000]

I felt like an idiot when I drained Herco into a full 8 lb keg of Red Dot so I know what you must be feeling. Even though I had to laugh at some of the responses, they are just a bunch of smart ass's that have done stupid things too. They are the same guys who will help you on here at some point. I give you credit for your humbleness.

 

[jbmi]

Separate as much as possible, spread mixture on a large cookie sheet (the kind with sides) then apply light wind from a fan. Blow powder into a cloth bag, (old pillow case) You'll loose a little powder but the shot will be clean.

 

[redhawk44]

take a piece of cardboard about 2 feet or so square.

Bent it into a vee shaped trough and put the lower und into the top of any suitable container for the shot and elevate the other end a little.

Now pour the powder into the trough until you start getting a little shot. At that point it is good to pour that powder into a container to be returned to your powder keg later. Now, as you pour the powder into this trough, the shot will run down the incline and into the shot receptacle, leaving the powder behind.

You may have to pour off the excess powder a time or two, but you will soon have the powder seperated from the shot.

You ain't the first guy to have done this, I can promise you that.

 

[Frenchy]

If you are older and may have an old perculator coffee pot in the basement
the strainer basket works very good for this,pour everything into the basket the powder will shake out the shot will stay in,but don't let the old lady
catch you !!

 

[new loader]

Put a piece of window screen wire over cookie sheet. Dump 1 lb at a time onto screen. Agitate screen and powder will pass through onto cookie sheet and the shot will stay on top of the screen.
Same method as irfner described, only different.

 

[moving1956]

Gentlemen thanks for your suggestions, both serious, and humorous. I'll try panning, and sifting for Lead when the jug is sufficiently empty.
I'll continue to check back for other suggestions.
Paul Grisanti

 

[Shady Creek]

At Wal Mart,in the kitchen dept,they have a sink strainer. At Lowes I found a black plastic cap that fits on 3in ABS pipe.(flat bottom) This works great when I dismantle a shell and save components. The black ones are flat on the end,white ones are round.

Works on Green Dot and will work in a quart jar for you guys that make "bigger" mistakes...GOOD LUCK

 

[BustClays]

If you put that 8#s aside and save it for the last 8#s of powder you ever use, chances are that it will become someone elses problem. RIP

bustclays

 

[smifshot]

was wondering how an earlier poster seperated the red dot and herco??
stroker

 

[Shady Creek]

Just trying to help...GOOD LUCK

 

[phirel]

Put the shot/powder mixture at the top of a long cookie sheet. lift one end a little and shake lightly. One of the two things will roll to one end.

Paul, your mistake is the kind of things we do now and then. It would have been easier if you had mixed primers with your powder. In that case a magnet would work.

Pat Ireland

 

[mrskeet410]

Cigar - It sounds like you invented Promo. Ask Alliant if they will give you a royality on each keg sold.

 

[oleolliedawg]

I'm waiting for someone to suggest a magnet. Oops, Pat kinda beat me to it!!

 

[BT-100dc]

I use a stainless steel sink drain strainer and my fingers. I'm very careful to be on concrete, take off static shirts and be careful. Also, as a usual practice, discharge any static by touching my basement support pole. It's happened to almost every reloader so don't feel like you're alone. And, to the preceding posted thread, down the road we will probably be forced to steel so save your magnet. I'll quit shooting my shotgun when that happens. Darrell

 

[OldGoat]

Suggestions for kitchen and sink strainers and screen described above are excellent and very workable! I have used minnow nets from my fishing stuff...usually put one net on top of another to make sure all the shot is captured. It is certainly worth a little time to strain the shot out...take your time and do a little bit each time you pour powder from the jug to your reloader. Best Regards, Ed

 

[wolfram]

We use to do the same kind of thing with the Beatles White album jacket .....

Anyway you aren't the first guy to do this, most of us have, usually happens when you have to dismantle that one shell and you get confused where to dump the salvaged shot. Panning will work.