Powder in the measure

Put it back in the sealed can after every reloading session.

It will etch & discolor the powder measure hopper, not to mention it's bad for the powder.

It is also too easy to forget what is in it if you leave it days or weeks.

rc

I pour whats left back into the proper container, every time. Powder has a long shelf life if properly stored.

If you dont put the powder back in the origional container you also run the risk of forgetting what is in the measure. Reloading is one of the few places that I dont rely on memory for anything.
After a session I clear the bench. Before a session I reset with only the components I will be using for that load.
Stay safe.

I also pour it back in the container when I am through.

I have a bulk powder funnel I have had for years that is starting to split. Wish I could find another. About 2 1/2 inches in diameter, straight sided for about 2 inches, then a taper to a very short 1/2 inch spout. It was advertised for just what I use it for, to pour powder from the measure or another jug.

I have a bulk powder funnel I have had for years that is starting to split. Wish I could find another. About 2 1/2 inches in diameter, straight sided for about 2 inches, then a taper to a very short 1/2 inch spout. It was advertised for just what I use it for, to pour powder from the measure or another jug.

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Goto Walmart in the auto supply section near the motor oil and get a radiator funnel. (or maybe I bought it at Autozone.) It's kind of short with an extra wide spout. It doesn't have high sides, but it fits in a powder jug and it pours fast.

I empty my powder measure at the end of each reloading session.

Among other reasons, even if I intend to come back to the reloading bench in a few hours or the next day, plans frequently get altered. The powder gets returned to its proper container.

I also put any unused powder back into its container. I leave my bench clean and ready for the next time.

Always, always put it back into it's original (and properly labeled) container. Wouldn't you hate to come back a few days later and not be sure what powder was in the hopper? That powder is now nothing but fertilizer.

I agree with all the above. Back in the original container and clear for the next session. Start fresh and clean. I have a check list for every set-up....and set down.

I leave powder in my Dillon pistol loader measures. They are inconvenient to dump.
The powder can is next to the press as a reminder.
Yes, the plastic is discolored. I cover the measure to keep out the UV.
The only measure I ever had really damaged was an RCBS whose cheap acrylic hopper was badly etched by Power Pistol. Why can't they make a $100 powder measure hopper out of as good material as the jar the powder comes in?

I empty out my rifle powder measures and PACT dispenser after use.

Let me get off on a tangent here, please?

How many of you don't use a powder measure, but use a bowl and some form of dipper or scoop (with or without a scale)?

If you had a way to conveniently use your scoop/dipper directly from the manufacturer's bottle/jug/keg, would you use it?

That would completely relieve the pesky problem of whether or not to leave the powder in the bowl (measure), wouldn't it?

Lost Sheep

Why can't they make a $100 powder measure hopper out of as good material as the jar the powder comes in?

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The jars are made of high density polyethylene. At best, it's barely translucent. I think a little discoloration is more desirable than running off hundreds of squibs because you let the hopper run empty. That's my best theory.

Funny thing is that lots of people have attested that their Lee Hoppers don't discolor/etch. I think they're simple acrylic.

It will etch & discolor the powder measure hopper,

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It darn sure will.
I used to leave powder in the hopper all the time, just for a day or two. Well a couple of weeks ago, I was loading some .40s and left 2/3 of a hopper of Bullseye in my Uniflow. I lost track of time and didn't go back in the cave for over a week, and now my hopper is pockmarked all over and tiny granules of Bullseye are stuck in the plastic. :banghead:

I used an old toothbrush and got most of it out, but some is still there. So now, it gets emptied after every session.

Wouldn't you hate to come back a few days later and not be sure what powder was in the hopper?

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I had that part under control. Only one can of powder at a time goes on my bench at a time....period! If powder was left in the hopper, the can was set right beside it. I am extremely anal about only one can of powder at a time being on the bench. It's the damage to the hopper that made me stop.

It will etch & discolor the powder measure hopper

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Found out the hard way.

I reload a box or two almost everyday, that way I've always got plenty of ammo available.
But it lets me get lazy about putting the powder away.
I've got 3 measures & 2 of them are discolored.

I was loading some .40s and left 2/3 of a hopper of Bullseye in my Uniflow. I lost track of time and didn't go back in the cave for over a week, and now my hopper is pockmarked all over and tiny granules of Bullseye are stuck in the plastic.

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That is what I saw with Power Pistol, whose factory bulk lot name was Bullseye 84 and is probably of similar composition.

At one time you could get the old Star Progressive loader with a tempered glass powder hopper. That would take care of the staining and etching problem. I put a glass sleeve in the powder measure on my old CH AutoCHamp which protected the plastic from attack.
I put a metal hopper on my Redding for black powder. It doesn't run out, I look inside every block of shells.
Dillon sells a powder level gauge for the purpose, an opaque measure would not matter if you had one.

Uniquetek has a polycarbonate Dillon hopper they say is proof against staining by anything but Titegroup. Hey, they also make a measure drain bar, which has got to be better than dismounting the measure.

I solved my "which powder" problem by only using HP38!

I leave powder in the bottom of my Dillion measure, but since I only load one load on it, there can't really be any wondering about what power it is. I tend to load once or twice a week, so it will sit in there for a few days. When I am ready to load, I pour in about enough powder for the amount I intend to load, and proceed.

I load until the powder level is just in the metal bowl section at the bottom and not sitting against the plastic hopper.

Thanks zxcvbob,
I'll check the next time I am in such a place.

I pour it back in the original container after each session. I also put a piece of masking tape on the hopper that has powder brand, charge and caliber written on it in case I have an emergency and have to depart the fix in a hurry. That way when I get back, I know what is what.