Grounding

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JG727

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Just reading over the SAAMI pamphlet "Sporting Ammunition Primers, Properties, Handling, and Storage for Handloading." (Found at this Link)

They recommend that you ground your reloading gear to prevent static charge build up, which could lead to some very pi$$ed off primers.

I have been reloading since January, but it was to help out a friend in the reloading business. I am starting to set up my own reloading area and was wondering if any of you guys actually have grounded your presses. Is this a practical concern or is it a CYA thing from them?

Thanks guys!
 
My progressive machine is grounded. It keeps static down which seems to make it easier for powder to jump out of the cases as the the machine cycles. If it keeps primers from blowing up too, well that's a bonus.
 
First, i have not specifically grounded my reloading equipment. In 30 years, I do not ever remember getting shocked when handling the reloading equipment but I can think of instances where it could happen.

Grounding is probably not a bad idea but, I would think bonding yourself to the equipment, much like folks working with electronics do, would be important as well.

For many, a convenient ground would be to attach the equipment to a convenient cold water pipe.
 
Never grounded any of my presses. Reloaded several hundred thousand rounds press primed and never set off any primer regardless of the brand. I don't have issues with static electricity, never been shocked or heard any "snap/pop" either.

As others posted, if you have static electricity issues, grounding the press may be a good idea.
 
Watch what you ground to - old wiring grounding can be WAY above GROUND. Probably an ESD wrist strap connected to your powder handling equipment is best. You don't want to do anything that will create a static problem (like hooking to an electrical system) when handling powder or primers. I get zapped whenever I get out of my truck, but haven't had any problem at the workbench where I reload.
 
I have been reloading since January, but it was to help out a friend in the reloading business. I am starting to set up my own reloading area and was wondering if any of you guys actually have grounded your presses. Is this a practical concern or is it a CYA thing from them?
Click to expand...

Precautions should be taken to avoid buildup of static
electricity on the person when handling primers or conducting
handloading procedures. Loading equipment
should be electrically grounded.
Click to expand...

Most of that SAAMI publication is common sense stuff, the rest is government CYA. Some lawyer was consulted about a worst case scenario, or IOW what could possibly go wrong?

Modern primers are very well sealed. They're very durable and it's difficult to make them inert. IOW they're hard to kill. I just don't see how a tiny spark generated by shuffling your feet across a carpet could set one off. But, if it makes you feel better, then ground your press.

One thing static build up does do is make powder handling difficult. The fine grains of powder like to cling to the powder measures, it can play havoc with getting accurate dumps of powder. Grounding the measure/press will eliminate that.
 
Grounding with resistance is the prefered method. It drains the ZZap and dissapates the charge to ground.

a) ESD protective static dissipative
worksurface to ESD ground resistance

≥105 to <109 Ω Recommended resistor value
 
YES.
An ESD wrist strap has a 1 meg-ohm resistance to ground--for the "person". It also works for the press and can prevent a high voltage discharge as well as static build-up.
I don't have any "powder cling" at all.
 
This subject has been beat to death and beyond. There is no reason to ground either you or your presses.

One More TIme:

STATIC WILL NOT CAUSE A PRIMER TO DISCHARGE. OR SMOKELSS POWDER. OR BLACK POWDER. END.

C'mon folks use your heads. Do your own homework. Don't allow the Trial Lawyers Lobby to dictate your life activities. :banghead:
 
STATIC WILL NOT CAUSE A PRIMER TO DISCHARGE. OR SMOKELSS POWDER. OR BLACK POWDER. END.

Is this true about black powder?
Thanks!
 
HTML: 
STATIC WILL NOT CAUSE A PRIMER TO DISCHARGE. OR SMOKELESS POWDER. OR BLACK POWDER. END.
Wrong!! No, I don't ground my powder dispenser or press, BUT when you work around ammo dumps, rules are No sparking or flaming materials allowed. When you cross over, you will meet those who broke the rules.
 
Wrong!! No, I don't ground my powder dispenser or press, BUT when you work around ammo dumps, rules are No sparking or flaming materials allowed. When you cross over, you will meet those who broke the rules.
Click to expand...

PROVE IT!

By that I mean an article written by somebody with credentials or a degree, not someone like you with a computer keyboard and an opinion. There was a test done by a guy that exposed different types of powder to a spark coil. Non of it ever got lighted off.

He did not try it with primers, but I would expect the same results. If I can find that article, I will link to it.
 
They are the experts, but I have never, in 25+ years of reloading, seen a confirmed (or rumored for that matter) report of a primer igniting from static electricity. Perhaps in a commercial machine reloading thousands per hour...
 
Grounding won't hurt anything. If it makes you more comfortable, go ahead and do it.

The SAAMI guides are not written for reloaders. They are written for manufacturers. They use electrically driven equipment, buy propellant and priming compound by the boxcar, and have an entirely different order of risk. If your running electrically powered gear, or you're transferring powder by the drum, not grounding yourself and your gear is asinine.
 
I know for a fact that powders like flash and I'll bet back will go off with a spark.

Every fireworks maker I have been to had a grounded panel you press on when you enter the mixing or the assembly room. Many a mixing or assembly room has been made into jugsaw puzzles. Thats one reason they are in seperate buildings with a berm around them.

Ask for proof on the pyro forums I'm sure there are vids going around.

As for smokeless and primers I do not know.

Seems like a good mythbusters setup.
 
...hen you work around ammo dumps, rules are No sparking or flaming materials allowed.
Click to expand...

Most of my adult life. I know of one accident that was "suspected" to be caused by static and that was vapors that ignited when a flare container was opened with a knife.

As mentioned above, many of the safety requirements are .gov mandated. Spark and flame are different animals.

As of my retirement, cigarette lighters were allowed in USAF ammo dumps, but could only be used in specified smoking areas. At one time we had to surrender at the gate.
 
Heh guys, safe grounding does stop powder from sticking to the hopper or anything connected to the grounded press.

A typical 300,000 volt static discharge, 'MIGHT' ignite loose powder directly in it's path--big deal. Have you ever lit it with a match? Hopefully there's not a trail of loose powder leading to a leaky 4 # can on your bench.

It also 'MIGHT' set off a primer cup, IF the open end was directly in it's dischrge path---a bigger deal;, but not cataclysmic and unlikely to say the least.

Proper Grounding does stop static cling in it's tracks.

It's SURE not necessary, just a slick way to solve a very small problem.
 
Oh dang, you got me with that third video... :D

I grounded my powder dispenser and it does help keep the grains from sticking inside.
 
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