Hornady powder measure fix

[moonman16]

The clear plastic tube on the Hornady powder measure can accidentally come loose from the housing, causing a major power spill.

The Dillon powder measure tube is screwed to the measures base but the Hornady's is not.

I run a strip of DUCT TAPE around the top of the housing and the clear plastic tube, this could save you some grief with a spill.

I also cut a CLEAR PLASTIC SHEET PROTECTOR to fit inside the clear plastic tube,

this prevents the tube from discoloring due to powder chemical reactions with the tube.

I've got to go to SUMMIT RACING and get some RED Duct Tape for my Hornady, Iv'e taped it with the silver.

 

[Captaingyro]

Actually, your idea about the plastic sheet protector solves both problems. As it comes from the factory, the Hornady plastic tube is very snug in the metal housing...I tried to remove mine when it was new, and couldn't. However, constant contact with smokeless powder slightly shrinks the plastic, allowing it to loosen. (That's one reason Hornady recommends never allowing powder to sit in the tube between sessions.)

Besides avoiding the discoloring, the sheet protector should also prevent the chemical reaction that results in shrinking. Brilliant!

 

[moonman16]

Captaingyro,

The reason I DUCT TAPE the tube to the powder measure base is that I remove

the measure from the press to dump powder.

This taping adds to a safety factor of accidentally bumping the measures tube and knocking the tube off.

Powders too scarce and expensive to be spilling and wasting it.

If the sheet protector adds benefits, I'm all for that too.

 

[Blue68f100]

I just glued mine in with some RTV. Problem solved.

 

[cfullgraf]

You can drill and tap two places in the lip of the Hornady powder measure base with matching holes in the reservoir. The screws pass through the holes in the reservoir holding the reservoir on.

Easy to remove and replace if needed and you do not get the residue left from the 100 mph tape (aka duct tape).

Redding installs the reservoir on their measures this way.

 

[GJSchulze]

FYI, Hornady sells replacement cylinders for a little under $10. You can cut them in half to make them go further.

Moonman, have you tried the drain tube that Hornady sells to empty the powder measure? You remove the adjustment stem and insert the tube. I added an extension to the tube. I don't want to remove the measure because I'm afraid it will loosen up on me; I had to use shims to keep it tight in the press.

 

[moonman16]

GJSchultz, cfullgraf,

I've heard of people with GLASS tubes also.

I have other Hornady measures to swap in also.

Cheap plus FREE BULLETS.

I think I have a drain tube for it SOMEWHERE, usually not a worry of mine.

I don't use a full width of Duct Tape to go around the tube, residue isn't a concern

as I don't remove the clear tube generally.

I have one full of Bullseye usually, 38 Special mouse fart loads.

 

[Blue68f100]

Hornady will send you a new one free if it will not stay on. I'm on my second one. The first time it comes loose I flip it over.

 

[cfullgraf]

I've heard of people with GLASS tubes also.

Not in my reloading room but to each his own. Glass breaks too easily.

I think I have a drain tube for it SOMEWHERE, usually not a worry of mine.

I do not use the drain tube either. It is too easy to pull the powder measure from the press and dump it. It is then easy to brush/blow out the remaining kernels of powder.

I have one full of Bullseye usually, 38 Special mouse fart loads.

I always empty powder from the powder measure when I am finished a reloading session. There are solvents in powder that etch the plastic reservoir. I have a 30 some year old RCBS Uniflow with the original reservoir on it.

But, again, to each his own.

 

[moonman16]

cfuffgraf,

It won't ETCH the tube if you line the inside of the tube with a clear plastic sheet protector.

 

[rcmodel]

Powder won't go bad, dry out, pick up moisture, or eat into the plastic hopper either.

If you dump the measure back in the light & humidity proof can it belongs in every time you get done using it like you are supposed too.

rc

 

[moonman16]

I keep the lid on my measure and keep the tube COVERED for light along with controlled atmosphere reloading room.

Check out ole' HICKOK45's measures, looks like he's had powder in them since the revolution

by the looks of the discoloration of the tube.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I don't clean mine out either. The graphite in the tube helps with static control. But I never let powder in them when I done. The same solvents that eat into the tube will also evaporate over time. That doesn't do you any favors.

 

[hAkron]

I've got to go to SUMMIT RACING and get some RED Duct Tape for my Hornady, Iv'e taped it with the silver.

Everybody should live in such a magical place where you can just drive over to Summit racing and get some red duct tape, or a big block engine in a crate.

 

[stu1ritter]

When the replacement hopper on my LnL measure came loose I called Hornady and they asked me to send the body (stripped) of the measure back along with the plastic hopper. OK, sent them off and about a week later I get it back with a new hopper installed and the body of the measure drilled at the base of the hopper with two plastic rivets installed to hold the hopper in place. It has not come loose since. When I dump the powder I usually bang the hopper a bit against my funnel to get the last grains out and this modification is really holding up well.
Stu

 

[moonman16]

Stu,
Maybe Hornady's waking up and finally addressing the issue with a real fix. (post #15)