I've seen many threads over the years about leaving powder in the hopper or not and what issues you could have. I never really subscribed to the theory that the powder was hurting anything or degrading by being left in the hopper between reloading sessions (weeks?) so I never bothered to remove the left over powder unless I was changing calibers.
I've read that the nitro can etch the hopper as well as other damage but I never really saw anything myself in my Lee dispensers except a little graphite colored staining on the plastic. Finally after several years of leaving various powders in the hopper most of the time, my hopper is finally stained/darkened to the point that I can't see the powder level once it gets lower than 1/2 full.
Real issue huh?
Well as I was thinking about this, I put my hand in the hopper and scratched at the discoloration with my nail and to my delight, it scraped completely clean. Later, I tried to wipe it clean with a dry rag, but it wouldn't budge, but a bit of Hoppe's #9, and the hopper came completely clean. I can't see any permanent damage at all and the red plastic is just about as clear as when it was new.
Just thought I would share.
I've read that the nitro can etch the hopper as well as other damage but I never really saw anything myself in my Lee dispensers except a little graphite colored staining on the plastic. Finally after several years of leaving various powders in the hopper most of the time, my hopper is finally stained/darkened to the point that I can't see the powder level once it gets lower than 1/2 full.
Real issue huh?
Well as I was thinking about this, I put my hand in the hopper and scratched at the discoloration with my nail and to my delight, it scraped completely clean. Later, I tried to wipe it clean with a dry rag, but it wouldn't budge, but a bit of Hoppe's #9, and the hopper came completely clean. I can't see any permanent damage at all and the red plastic is just about as clear as when it was new.
Just thought I would share.