My latest reloading mistake

[sbwaters]

Finished loading 100 .45 ACP and was breaking down the LnL afterwards. The powder measure was about 1/3 full of Titegroup -- I start at about 1/2 full to keep the load consistent.

I held the heavy cast rotator part of the device and pulled at the plastic cap to remove it to pour the remaining powder into the bottle. Instead of the cap coming off, the tube came off, scattering powder over the bench and floor.

Sigh.

Note to self: Always hold the plastic tube along with the cast rotator base.

 

[Scooter22]

Well don't waste it. Sweep it up, take outdoors and make a long line with it. Then cue the Mission Impossible theme and light it.!

 

[kcofohio]

Finished loading 100 .45 ACP and was breaking down the LnL afterwards. The powder measure was about 1/3 full of Titegroup -- I start at about 1/2 full to keep the load consistent.

I held the heavy cast rotator part of the device and pulled at the plastic cap to remove it to pour the remaining powder into the bottle. Instead of the cap coming off, the tube came off, scattering powder over the bench and floor.

Sigh.

Note to self: Always hold the plastic tube along with the cast rotator base.

6 years ago, I probably would have freaked. I mean, I couldn't find squat, powder wise, and was nursing what I did have.

 

[forty_caliber]

Murphy is alive and well. I've found that hanging a lucky rabbit foot from the press prevents that from happening. Never really understood the lucky rabbits foot thing, wasn't very lucky for the rabbit.

.40

 

[kcofohio]

Well don't waste it. Sweep it up, take outdoors and make a long line with it. Then cue the Mission Impossible theme and light it.!

He'll have to speed the tempo up quite a bit, seeing how it is Titegroup. 4350s would do better.

 

[Yarddog]

When reloading you need to be focused , no distractions & your total concentration ; )
Y/D

 

[Eugen]

Errors are going to happen. Always learn from them.

 

[grandpawj]

Well, thank goodness it was only a mess and not a catastrophy (I know I misspelled it, but the correct spelling escapes me)

 

[bbqreloader]

did that once and got the LNL powder measure drain insert. Now the trick is to make sure you have that locked in too (been down that road too)
https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-050125-Lock-N-Load-Powder-Measure/dp/B005KW4ZT0

 

[markr6754]

When I got my powder measure I was concerned by the fact that the hopper tube was held in by friction. After dropping hundreds of primers when the tube pulled off of my Frankford Arsenal Depriming tool, I decided to take a couple of turns of Scotch Tape around the bottom of the tube. It hasn’t budged since I did that, just over 10 months ago. I saw where one gent drilled and tapped his LnL powder measure and ran a machine screw through the body and the bottom of the hopper. I decided against this...but I’d bet his solution lasts longer than mine.

 

[Dudedog]

When I first got my Lee autodrum, I forgot the powder container is not screwed on like it is on the auto disk,
made expensive plant food.
Stuff happens

 

[hdwhit]

Add this caution to your written reloading procedures and your reloading checklist.

 

[lightman]

Thats not so bad. I left the dump valve open on my Chargemaster once after emptying it once. The next time I used it, well you know!!!

 

[Bfh_auto]

When I got my powder measure I was concerned by the fact that the hopper tube was held in by friction. After dropping hundreds of primers when the tube pulled off of my Frankford Arsenal Depriming tool, I decided to take a couple of turns of Scotch Tape around the bottom of the tube. It hasn’t budged since I did that, just over 10 months ago. I saw where one gent drilled and tapped his LnL powder measure and ran a machine screw through the body and the bottom of the hopper. I decided against this...but I’d bet his solution lasts longer than mine.

I used electrical tape after dumping about 1/4 hopper of Titewad. At least it was my cheapest powder.

 

[k4swb]

I saw where one gent drilled and tapped his LnL powder measure and ran a machine screw through the body and the bottom of the hopper. I decided against this...but I’d bet his solution lasts longer than mine.

Yep, this is the way to fix the problem.

 

[cfullgraf]

I saw where one gent drilled and tapped his LnL powder measure and ran a machine screw through the body and the bottom of the hopper.

Redding powder measures come from the factory with a couple small screws to hold the plastic hopper in place. The end of the screw has the threads turned off to make a small cylinder that fits a corresponding hole in the end of the hopper.

 

[lordpaxman]

Instead of the cap coming off, the tube came off, scattering powder over the bench and floor.

Been there, done that, duct taped it.

Thats not so bad. I left the dump valve open on my Chargemaster once after emptying it once. The next time I used it, well you know!!!

Ummm…. A picture is worth a thousand words? Or maybe Three?

 

[Catpop]

sbwaters
I like your comment about keeping powder container half full for consistency! I also do that and have actually put a magic marker line at the half way point.

I’ve got a container marked mystery powder I put all my mistakes in. Thankfully they are far fewer now than when I first started that container. One day I’ll put it to good use!

 

[BSA1]

Reloaders tip;

Keep a trash can under the powder measure and press.

Makes cleaning up spilled powder and dropped primers easier.

Not that I have ever done that mind you.

 

[Nature Boy]

When it comes to making a mess, a little bit of powder goes a long way

This weekend I was pouring some H4895 into the hopper on my press and got a little over exuberant. I might have spilled the equivalent of 100g but when it’s falling all over the press, hitting the bench and bouncing everywhere it sounds like you just dumped a pound of it.

 

[Slamfire]

I keep a shop vac near the bench. Have had lots of minor powder spills, a few big ones. Wasting powder never makes me happy, but it happens.

 

[Bfh_auto]

sbwaters
I like your comment about keeping powder container half full for consistency! I also do that and have actually put a magic marker line at the half way point.

I’ve got a container marked mystery powder I put all my mistakes in. Thankfully they are far fewer now than when I first started that container. One day I’ll put it to good use!

I use a dry erase marker on the hopper. That way I don't question myself. Just be sure to erase it each time.


Use the waste powder for campfire tricks. Just not too much at once.

 

[doubleh]

I use a magic marker. It stays on and if you wish to remove it a rag with a bit of alcohol takes it right off. I also mark my reloads with this method. No more pieces of paper in the box, it's written on the outside of the box and easily removed when you change loads.

 

[mdi]

Wow! I never done nuttin' like that (yeah, sure). I sometimes use my Lee PPM which has a handy feature to close the powder hopper feed off, and it's great, when you remember to use it. On a couple occasions i have lifted the hopper off the drum assembly and had a nice constant stream of powder flowing out on my bench top. Fortunately very little was lost and I just used my bench brush (2" paint brush) to sweep it up and saved it...

 

[Phil70]

I have a cookie sheet under my powder measure to catch any of the crumbs that fall out from spills ...