Powder Measure broke, need help!!

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Randy1911

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After reloading for 27 years this has never happened to me before. I am loading on a Hornady AP LnL. The hopper on the powder measure fell off. I looked it over real well and the best I could tell it was just a press fit. I pressed it back on as best as I could. I even put a block of wood on top and tapped it few times with a hammer to make sure it was in real good. In just a few minutes it came off again. Do they use a special kind of glue to hold it on? I tried to call Hornady, but just my luck,:cuss: they had closed 5 minutes earlier. What do I do. I was planning on doing some reloading this weekend.
 
If you are against gluing it you can take an old case in the caliber you are reloading it and trickle out the amount of powder you need, Mark the level in the case and cut the extra of, then you have a scooper that holds the right amount of powder. Use a piece of wire or coat hanger to wrap around the rim for a handle.
 
The hopper on my new LNL is like at a 30 degree angle, what a bunch of crap, just like the priming system on this press, should have went with a Dillon.:eek:
 
Go to Lowes or Menards and by the checkout, there is usually a display with Loctite Super-Glu Gel. You want to talk about some glue that is serious, dude, this is it!

Since it is a gel, it doesn't run like other super glue. If it doesn't hold it, nothing will!

About $2 or so. Nothing to get too worked up about though! ;)
 
I always suggest installing powder hoppers with a ring of clear silicone adhesive. That way, if you bust the plastic part the broken piece will come off easily for replacement. If you use Gorilla Glue or "super glue" it might take you all evening just to remove the offending pieces.

Your stronger adhesives are for items that see a lot of abuse or pressure. The powder hopper just sits there. There's no huge force acting on the hopper. Why would you want to make your life hard?
 
I think the best thing is to call Hornady Monday, and ask them. They may just send you a new one.

Until then, duct tape will hold it fine for the weekend reloading, and is easily removed and residue removed after you're done. Remove tape residue with goof off or goo gone. Nothing hurt.
 
I turned it upside down and stuck it back on. It seemed to fit fairly tight. I noticed the original end had a very slight taper to it (the rubber cap fit alot looser than before). I am still going to call Hornady on Monday. But I think this will hold till then. Hope, hope, hope. I don't want to clean up powder off the floor again.:cuss:
 
If you really want to attach it and not deal with hornady, I would suggest some 60 second two part epoxy. You can get it at any parts store. It will not come back out again. I have in a pinch used that to seal cracks in plastic radiator side tanks, its some tough stuff.
 
Just to repeat part of the "Guy Anthem"......

If it don't move and it should.....WD-40

If it does move and it shouldn't....Duct Tape

Nuff Said - LOL
 
Mine has been that way since day one. I thought it was supposed to do that so you could remove it to clean and/or replace it. Guess I'm too dumb to know I had a defective one. So far I haven't spilled powder, but knowing it did that I take extra care when handling it.
 
I replaced mine with lab grade pyrex. No more etching or yellowing.

IMG_9224-1.jpg
 
Anytime I have to attach something that has a small contact area and is a tight fit I use original (thin) Super Glue because it wicks into crevices quite well.

Later, IF I had to replace the tube, I'd hacksaw cut it and break out what I could and use a Dremel tool with a burring bit to remove the rest.
 
Securing the hopper

Take a drill and a tap and drill/tap a small hole in the metal and thru the plastic. One in one place and another on the opposit side. My older Hornady and Redding measures are made this way and I'm gonna do the new LNL measure that way. Easier to keep things clean when you can remove the tube and get to the inside of the drum housing this way. I was surprised to find my new LN measure without the screws and I don't like it but I guess they saved a few cents per measure.
 
Mine fell off early on (about half full of 231!)

I also just turned it upside down and crammed it back on.

its been about two years now and it has been fine.

If I was more worried, I would do the screw mod posted above.

good luck!

Bob
 
A reloading friend and I both had the same issue and we discovered it was caused by leaving powder in the hopper. The part of the plastic tube that seats into the metal part of the powder measure "shrinks" causing a loose fit. Both of us reload in our sheds where it's always hot and humid. Another friend reloads exclusively indoors(climate controlled) leaves powder in both of his LNL's and he's never had a problem.

We just pull out the chop(electric) saw and cut off the lower 1" and all is well until the next time. Mine is down to about 4" right now. I've already had Hornady send me a new one. Won't use it until I make one last cut on the old one.

Call Hornady for a warranty replacement. They'll probably tell you not to leave powder in the hopper. That's what they told me.

Regards,
Richard
 
RNG

A reloading friend and I both had the same issue and we discovered it was caused by leaving powder in the hopper.
Click to expand...

I never leave powder in the hopper. I load only in a climate controlled area (in the house). I plan on calling Hornady Monday. For now I have just turned the hopper over to the other end. The original end had stunk though.
 
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