Alliant Sport Pistol and Hornady LNL powder measure corrosion

[lordpaxman]

I’ve been loading quite a bit with the subject powder, and dump the powder measure afterwards. I typically work the action a bit, then use compressed air to blow out any remaining powder. I had quite a bit loaded, and hadn’t used the press for a few weeks, and when I went to load more this week, the rotor was frozen in the measure. I was able to un-freeze it using one-shot, and, it appeared there was a corrosion action (perhaps galvanic) between the steel rotor and the housing. I believe the housing is cast aluminum. It’s the second time this has happened and the common denominator is SP.

I’ve not seen this happen with any other powder, and this measure. I’ve used it for about 10 years, and, have had titegroup, Clays, target, N320, AA2, WST, W231, Universal, PP, N330, WSF, N340, 296 to name a few in the measure. No other powders did this.

It has been humid lately here in the Northeast. However, it’s been that way this time of year for past reloading sessions and powders as well.

I’ve got several loads worked up with SP, and, will continue to use it, however, I just was wondering if anyone else experienced this in their powder measure. I suspect it’s most susceptible in the LNL, but perhaps other rotaries have seen this?

I do plan to disassemble and clean the rotor after SP usage, and just thought I’d post this and see if anyone else had run in to this and if so, what they might have done?

 

[Reeferman]

Have you thought about contacting Alliant and see what they say.

 

[243winxb]

The sds shows these powders have the same chemicals, but different amounts. Bullseye®- Power Pistol® - BE-86 - E3 - Pro Reach - 20/28 – Steel - Unique - Sport Pistol -.

Could the compressed air contain moisture?

 

[lordpaxman]

Have you thought about contacting Alliant and see what they say.

Yes. Still waiting. But, I don't expect anything useful.

Could the compressed air contain moisture?

I doubt it. It's a can of "Dust Off" brand air. It's probably NO2.

Thanks for the info on the similar powders. PP is the only other one I've used in this measure, but, I use it rarely. I suspect there's something in SP that's deliquescent. Combine that with a bit of humidity and perhaps an acid somewhere, and viola, frozen. I suspect there's no other recourse than to disassemble and clean if I want to use this powder. I just was trying to see if anyone else had run in to this or not.

 

[rsrocket1]

I think 243winxb is onto something.

Since you are using "canned air", the likelihood of condensation onto the rotor is even higher. You don't mention your location but if it's other than the desert southwest, your air is heavy with moisture and when compressed air expands, it cools which will cause condensation onto the rotor. Once you clean off the rotor and give it a good dousing and rubbing of One Shot gun cleaner and dry lube, try it again and don't use any air. Getting the last molecule of powder out of the measure is not that important. I simply dump the LnL PM contents back into the powder jug and flip the rotor a couple of times.

Also test your canned air by turning it upside down and pressing the button. If liquid comes out, you now have "freeze mist" which will certainly cause condensation.

You could also run a test by putting a small pile of SP powder on a cleaned piece of bare steel and see if it rusts over the span of a few months.

 

[Dwb1957]

I've been using sp for over a year with a Dillon loaded also leaving powder in the powder measure for months ,I live in the south were the humdity is high but I load indoors have not noticed any corrosion yet but I will take some time to inspect the measure next time I remove the powder. Thanks

 

[Skgreen]

I simply dump the LnL PM contents back into the powder jug and flip the rotor a couple of times.

Same here, including SP and any other powder I've used.
Disclaimer: My reloading room (previously known as the ~Formal Dining Area~) is climate controlled 24/7.

 

[FROGO207]

I use a good coat (actually 3) of paste wax on both surfaces of my measures after cleaning. I let it dry and buff it well between coats and after the last one. I do it once a year. Then i re assemble, run some powdered graphite through it to season the thing and then use it. FWIW I always run at least 20 charges through the measure to settle the propellant before filling cases.

 

[Charlie98]

I have both an old Hornady measure (pre LNL) and a new one (came with the single-stage LNL press) and I've not had any problems with either of mine. My old one is about 25 years old and sat in the garage here in TX for some years, so it has that greyish patina, but no rust or corrosion. The new one has only been in operation for a short time... about a year, and it's never seen the garage, but it's in my reloading 'closet' (quite literally) and without very good circulation... it gets hot and humid in there regardless; I've not seen any problems yet. Disclaimer: I don't use Sport Pistol, and I rubbed all the machined surfaces down with dry lube (motor mica) before I put it in service.

I think using compressed air to hose out the powder hopper is overkill. I just spin mine out, upend it... cycle the rotor a few times, and that's it.

I actually use compressed (can) air to blow off the press when I'm done; compressed air does contain a carrier and moisture, along with the byproduct of condensation on the surfaces. I would not use can air on the powder measure, just like you have to be very careful using it to dust a PC or other electronic component... if you shake or tilt the can, you WILL get the carrier to spray out.

 

[lordpaxman]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I did hear back from Alliant, they confirmed 243winxb's post that SP contains the same ingredients as the rest of their powders. Not too much of a surprise there and they didn't have any suggestions as to what's happening in the powder measure.

I understand the collective thoughts on compressed air, but, I've had this process in place for many years and this rotor problem only surfaced (sic) with SP. I'm not shaking the air can, cooling surfaces, etc - it's a 1/4second PFFFT, and that's it.

I use a good coat (actually 3) of paste wax on both surfaces of my measures after cleaning.

NICE!!!! The adjoining room has my woodworking shop, and I regularly top the tables with Johnson paste wax (not car wax obviously). After today's loading session I'll be waxin' and buffin'.
Thanks again everyone.

 

[Reeferman]

What I use on my LNL measure and press is Hornady One Shot gun cleaner and then run graphite through it. I have a small pancake nailer compressor in my reloading room and use that for blowing off the press and blowing out the several powder measures I have when changing powders and have not experienced what you have.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I have a small pancake nailer compressor in my reloading room and use that for blowing off the press and blowing out the several powder measures I have when changing powders and have not experienced what you have.

I do to but my loading room is also air conditioned and humidity controlled. I don't blow anything into my LNL-AP powder measure except Static Guard. When I do clean my powder measure which is only 2-3 years I spray the outside of the cylinder with Hornady one shot case lube. It's just basically a type of wax lubricant and I have never had an issue with it. I never clean it out as far as the inside. I use the paint brush that came with my Hornady Auto Charge to knock any powder that is sticking to the sides loose and cycle it out.
It's 7 years old and going strong. I wouldn't use any more canned air if I were you.

 

[alfsauve]

My LnL powder measure is about 8 years old . Early on I violated their warnings (and the warnings of the powder manufacturers) and have left Power Pistol in the tube for a week at a time. I stopped doing it when I realized my tube was becoming darkened. Of course dumping an LnL is so easy.
(For safety, I only have one powder on the bench at a time. I leave the container and a box from the primers on the bench while I reload as a reminder of what I'm doing. Also being slightly OCD, I have a note card by the press that gives all the particulars, powder, primer, bullet, of what I'm loading at any time.)

Last week I decided to order a replacement tube from Hornady. I actually ordered two, they gave me the first one free. So here's what a abused tube looks like after 8 years.

 

[gwpercle]

Another product to use on the measure parts is one of the dry spray lubricants .
They are micro Teflon particles suspended in an alcohol base...the stuff evaporates and leaves a thin micro Teflon coating , it's a good "lubricant" and will prevent rust when sprayed on steel bullet moulds ..
It can't hurt to try it on those parts.
Gary

 

[rfwobbly]

I read this fairly carefully, but didn't see where you said this loading equipment was in the interior of your home (temp and humidity controlled) or out in a shop area. I tend to think it's an ambient humidity issue, possibly in conjunction with 1 or 2 flakes of SP.

 

[lordpaxman]

and have left Power Pistol in the tube for a week at a time.

Titegroup will leave an interesting pattern in plastic as well. I really didn't mean to leave it in the hopper...

Another product to use on the measure parts is one of the dry spray lubricants .

I do use Hornady's one shot. I may try the one shot extreme in the future. Right now I've waxed the surfaces and clean after loading sessions.

I tend to think it's an ambient humidity issue

As do I. It's in the basement and not T/H controlled, and we had a higher than normal humidity trend this year in the Northeast. It was surprising this only started happening after I was using Sport Pistol. I'll have to see how it behaves through the winter (drier) months. I've got load development for all the "other-than-9mm" calibers with the new powders.

 

[Dudedog]

Disclaimer: My reloading room (previously known as the ~Formal Dining Area~) is climate controlled 24/7.

You did much better than I did

My reloading room (previously known as the ~The Outdoor Garden shed) is not climate controlled but I did by a window AC unit for it last summer for when it's 110, small electric heater for winter.
(very seldom below freezing where I am at)

 

[Charlie98]

Oddly enough... I had the same problem rear it's ugly head just today... with BE-86.

New Hornady powder drop, been in service about 6 months. I don't normally leave powder in the tube, but I was called away suddenly so it sat in the hopper for about 3 days until I got back to it this morning...

That's not really discoloration, it's mottling of the plastic... like little dimples. It's hard to get the right light to see it correctly.





I've left power in my old Hornady drop, Unique, IMR4895, maybe a few others, the plastic never did that.

 

[Walkalong]

High Nitro content powders are the worst for doing that.