Extending RCBS Uniflow drop tube... cheaply

[WayneConrad]

Do you know a cheap way to extend the drop tube on a RCBS Uniflow?

I mounted my RCBS Uniflow powder measure to a Hornady Lock-N-Load stand. I got tired of working the handle like a mad lab rat to empty the measure, and removing it from its old stand meant unscrewing it, which was annoying. Now I can remove the measure easily, tip it over, and it's empty. I love it.

But.

The drop tube needs to be a little bit longer now. It reaches the brass alright, but it's now about 1/4" too short to reach the bottom of the scale pan when I'm throwing charges to weigh. Without the drop tube bottomed against the pan, grains of powder sometimes bounce out of the pan. Very inconvenient.

As I'm catching up from some unexpected fiscal "outgo," ordering aftermarket drop tubes will have to wait. I need a 98 cent hardware-store solution to extending the drop tube. I suspect someone as broke as I am but more clever has already solved this problem.

Are you broke and clever? Can you help?

 

[Car Knocker]

Wrap a piece of thin cardboard around it and fasten with a rubber band?

 

[WayneConrad]

Car Knocker, that's a great suggestion, and just too simple... no wonder I didn't see it. I was trying to imagine something more permanent, but it'd be easy to make a stiff paper tube I could slip on just for checking weights and remove when charging cases. I'll give that a try tonight.

 

[LHB1]

Wayne,
My method is even easier. I just use a fired 1911 case with old primer still inserted to catch the powder and then dump powder from case into the pan which stays on the scale.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

 

[vmwilson]

Take a rasp and cut the threads out of your measure stand and use a lock ring to hold the measure in place while using it. I did this years ago on mine and the new ones no longer have threads in the stand. Makes emptying a real quick task.

 

[WayneConrad]

Thanks for your suggestions. I've been using LHB1's idea for a while. Inspired by Car Knocker, I cut some paper strips and, with the aid of a 79 cent glue stick, turned them into a stiff tube that fits snugly over the existing short drop tube. It comes off easily when it's time to charge cases. Worked pretty good, and made my cheap, cheap heart very happy. vmwilson, thanks also for your idea. I'll suggest it to dad, who's still got the sheet-metal bracket that I had before I switched to the Lock-N-Load stand.