Help with powder sticking in powder measure.

[Acera]

Hey guys, I just got back into reloading after a break of a few years, and ran into some problems I had not experienced in the past and hope the community will give me some advice.


The RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure is where I had problems. The powder stuck in the throat of the measure on every throw, and required a number of shakes, and taps to get it to fall into the scale tray. I took it apart and cleaned it with alcohol and and dry rags to made sure there was no lube or anything sticky on the surfaces. Then I blew it dry with an air hose to make sure all moisture was gone before reassembly.

First powder I had problems with was Reloader 19. but the second powder I used, AA3100, really caused problems. I had to tap the lever at least four times to get all the powder to fall. The charge sizes I was using were 70 grains for the Reloader 19, and 72 grains for the AA3100, so there was a lot of powder being thrown. Both powders are "stick" type as opposed to ball or flake.

I also had problems getting a consistent throw. I have a micrometer adjustment system on the measure, and expected to get extremely close to the desired weight on each throw, but it varied widely. Some of the charges required just a few individual sticks to get to the charge weight, some seemed to require at least a grain or two.

So, what can I do to get the powder to fall completely through the measure each time without hanging up?


Thanks,

 

[MichiganShootist]

Could this powder be damp?????

The only time I ever saw this .... the guy was using 20 year old powder that had absorbed enought moisture to "clump".

 

[rcmodel]

Switch to Ball powder.

Seriously, both of the ones you are using are large grain stick type powder, and you may have exactly the problem you have with any measure.

I would suggest after the alcohol cleaning you did that you get some powdered graphite at the hardware store and dust everything inside the measure with it. Also a wipe-down with a cloths dryer sheet will kill any static electricity that may be causing the powder to "cling" to the measure.
Both may help some.

BTW: This is also great stuff and I keep a can on the loading bench.
http://www.mystaticguard.com/

Should be able to find it in the laundry section most anywhere.

rc

 

[SpamHandler]

+1 to rcmodel's comments. Also, you may want to ground the Uniflow so that future static charges are dispersed as they develop.

 

[rcmodel]

I can guarantee if you use Static-Guard there will be none develop!

I also use it on my truck seats to keep from getting whacked, and TV/Monitor screens to keep the dust off!
Also great for keeping packing peanuts under control.

It even keeps my slip from clinging!

rc

 

[Acera]

Thanks,


Great Idea, I will try some of the static guard.

The powders were brand new, bought on Friday and Saturday, and kept under a lid as much as possible.

 

[bedwards1]

what do you ground it to?

 

[Jumping Frog]

I heard of one person who taped a vibrating "female personal pleasure device" to the side of his powder measure. The vibrating made for consistent powder throws.

Never tried it myself. I think it would be hard to explain to my 13 year-old daughter what Daddy's reloading bench has this new weird equipment.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

clean it good with alchol and then wipe it when dry with a bounce fabric softner sheet and the static will be gone.

 

[ar10]

I use Varget which is a stick powder and I had the same problem with my Hornady measure. I did a couple of things that fixed my problem. I wrap a dryer sheet around the tube and hold it with a rubber band. The fixed the problem with the static. I really didn't like the way Hornady's handle worked so I bought a 3" spring at the hardware store. I drilled a hole in the handle and put a screw in the bench. The spring held the handle in the closed position. Every time I threw a charge I tapped the handle twice and let up on the handle, It added the consistent pressure for each charge. The last thing I added were two baffles to keep a steady flow of powder going in the cup.
No matter how hard I tried I still "cut" some of the sticks as I closed the handle but I still got a consistent charge in all my cases.

 

[Walkalong]

personal pleasure device

I'm sorry, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

rcmodel's advise about static guard and graphite will solve your problem.

 

[Hiaboo]

Well, the personal pleasure device comes in all shapes and sizes.. Just sayin.

But however seriously, that would do the trick.

Myself, with the stick powders, I have to give my dropper (lee) a couple of taps to get it drop, Ball powder, no problems, same with flake.

So, maybe time to find a different powder?

 

[Ol` Joe]

After you`ve cleaned and wiped the tube with a drier sheet try running ~ 1/2 a can of powder through the measure and see if that puts enought of a coating on the surfaces to work. I have done it in the past and it negated the need to run out and buy powdered graphite for the sole purpose of lubeing my measure.
I have not obviously tried the graphite, so which one if either works best I can`t say. I got the tip from one of my dads old buddies 30 years ago.

 

[Walkalong]

I use Sentry Solutions Tuff-Glide to lube my measures now. I like it better than graphite. It takes very little. You have to give it plenty of drying time, but it works great. A tee tiny 1/4 to 1/2 of a drop on both edges of a Redding/RCBS/Hornady type measure is all it takes to make it smooth as silk. I usually do this when I am done with it and it is going to sit all night.

 

[SpamHandler]

what do you ground it to?

To the concrete floor beneath the bench. It's conductive enough to drain such small charges. The dryer sheet method works reasonably well, but in my experience must be refreshed from time to time. A permanent ground has solved that problem for me.

 

[41 Mag]

One thing you also might check is the plastic screw in case adapter. If you look in the top portion where the powder starts to funnel down, most of them have a small ridge from when they were molded. I took some 1K grit emery cloth and polished mine down smooth and haven't had issues with the powder stacking or sticking since.

Every once in a while when throwing very large charges, like 85 or 95grs, I get some, but with these I generally will weigh them before dumping anyway just to make sure.

Worth a quick check and added with the above mentioned tips should get you in business.

 

[moooose102]

try running ~ 1/2 a can of powder through the measure and see if that puts enought of a coating on the surfaces to work.

that has worked for me in the past. powder has graphite in it to prevent sticking. if your measure has accumulated a bit of moisture from sitting, or dust, or whatever, it needs to get recoated. even brand new measures need to have this done to them. i am sure some powders have more grapite than others, but i do not know if anyone has a list. but anyway. try it, i think you will find it works very well, and all it costs you is a little time. ball powder, since it is smaller and round may be the best for doing this as it will flow into every nook and cranny of the measure. i used aa#7 in mine when it did that. worked for me.

 

[Borg]

Are you sure you don't have the smalldrop tube in the measure?
'Borg

 

[Acera]

Borg, I had not thought of that.

I have been using the same set up for years on pistol and small rifle. That will be something I have to check out.


As for running powder through the tool, I usually run a couple of dozen throws to get the charge right. But in this case, the powder stuck as much on the last full try, as it did on the first few ones, two pounds of powder before.


Since I am out of powder, I will get another, larger, tip and some anti-static spray next time I am out.


Thanks,

 

[1SOW]

Re Grounding the press to prevent static buildup.

I recommend you don't just GROUND the press, but run a wire through a 1 Meg, 1/4 watt resistor and then to ground. Cost: less that a dollar.

The resistor prevents a sudden discharge/arc when you touch the press.You know, like that time with the doornob.
High voltage arcs around presses aren't a good idea.

I did my press and haven't had any static problems/cling since.

 

[Clarence]

The problem you are having is referred to as "bridging" and it typically occurs when throwing large charges of stick type powders.

The old Lyman 55 had a knocker located on the side of the measure just for that very reason. You would throw a charge and then flip the knocker to make sure the powder all broke loose and went into the case.

The easiest way to avoid it is to use ball powder, the next easiest way is to use powders with shorter sticks...........such as H4350 SC (short cut).