Static Problem

[tkcomer]

I'm trying to come up with some loads with the Lee Auto Disk powder measure but I've run into a problem. Static is causing the powder to stick to the inside of the case and I can't throw a consistent charge into the scale to see what I have. I'm using True Blue powder and I have no load data for that on the Lee powder measure. Once I find the right load setting, the static won't be a problem as it's doesn't seem to be sticking to anything else, just the inside of the case. I can wipe it out with a dryer sheet, and that's good for one test, but then it starts to build up inside the case again. I'm using the Lee powder through expanding die and I don't see a good way to drop the powder charges directly into the pan. Any ideas?

 

[The Bushmaster]

Are you talkin' about the powder hopper? If so...You can wash it in warm mild soapy water, rinse well and dry.

 

[BigSoundRacing]

Wrap a coat hanger around your leg touching the skin, and then around the sole of your shoe.

 

[tkcomer]

The powder hopper is fine. The powder is only sticking inside the cases. I've washed them, dried them, keep wiping them out with dryer sheets, tapping on them, but the powder keeps sticking to the cases. The powder rolls off everything else. I've tried different cases, tumbled a few, but still no luck. I had the same problem with the IMR 4227 last night, but that powder is a little different. I could tap the case and get it to fall out. This True Blue is fine stuff. I don't even want to get the 800X out. You can see that sticking to the hopper as you pour it out. Even in rainy weather.

 

[LexDiamonds]

Rub the inside of the hopper with a dryer sheet.

 

[The Bushmaster]

tkcomer...You say that the powder is sticking to the brass cases? I don't think that is static cling as brass is not magnetic....Unless you are loading steel cases. What is the calibre of those cases?

 

[tkcomer]

They are 44 mag brass cases. The powder is sticking to the section of the case that grips the bullet. From that part down, the case is clean and the powder doesn't stick. These are fired cases that I've resized, tumbled and shoved a spent primer in. The powder drops right in the case but sticks when you pour it out. I'm trying to use the 44 cases to get data for it and the 357/38. Once I have the data, I won't have to worry about this again unless I change powders

 

[tkcomer]

I must have some type of residue inside these two 44 cases. I swapped the turret over to 357 and I'm having no problems with powder sticking in those cases. Go figure.

 

[FieroCDSP]

What kind of dies are you using? Are you using case lube with them? Left over case lube that might work it's way onto your expander would cause this. Too much lube over several sizings could get inside the case mouth and into the expander. I'd disassemble your dies, clean, and then rub the parts with a dryer sheet. Also use one in your tumbler, that seems to help mine.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Try cleaning a couple of those cases with some kind of solvent. Then wash them in hot water and dish soap. Oven dry (when the wife isn't lookin') at 150 degrees for about 30 minutes or an hour. Insure they are dry inside and try again...

 

[tkcomer]

I'm kinda in a changeover. I replaced my RCBS press with the Lee Classic Turret. Cases were sized on the old press with RCBS lube and steel dies. New dies are the Lee carbide dies. I've only put a few 223 rounds through this press so far. So far, no pistol rounds have been loaded on it. Weather has been too rough the last 3 weeks to get out and burn up any ammo. I actually sprayed the inside of the 44 cases with contact cleaner to get any residue out. No change. Today, I thought I'd just sit down and figure what settings to use on the Auto Disk powder measure. That way I'll be ready to go when I start to load. I went to True Blue as a "do all" powder for the pistols. That was part of my problem. Lee has no loadings for that, so I had to start from scratch. Disk wise, it meters pretty close to Win 296, but the actual load data is different. Once I got that figured out, grabbing the right disk was easy. It was just that the powder was sticking to the 44 case and driving me nuts trying to figure out what exactly I was metering out of the powder measure.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Sounds like a problem with something in the 44 cases for sure. Clean them up with some solvent and you should be ready to go. Did you use some sort of case lube on the pistol cases?

I would recommend you not use lubricant on the pistol cases to size them and to clean your sizing die as well as the cases. Instead, buy a bottle of Nu Finish car polish at the local Dollar General and use a capful of this in your tumbling media. It'll slick up the cases so they go through the sizing die nicely, but doesn't have any static.

If you're experiencing a lot of static, you can help things by using a humidifier in your house.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Terminus]

I've actually had a similar problem since switching to my new Lee Classic Turret with Pro Auto Disk setup. Win 231 sticks to the inside walls of .45 auto cases much more than when I was using a borrowed RCBS measure and a funnel.

It's not a huge issue when going straight from expanding and adding powder to seating a bullet, but pulling a filled case off the ram to check powder throws is a pain because of static.

I've tried the dryer sheet method already, but maybe a more thorough wipedown will be in order.

Other than this, I love my Lee Turret and I'm well on my way to reloading addiction.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Terminus...There is no return once started...

 

[RustyFN]

I'm kinda in a changeover. I replaced my RCBS press with the Lee Classic Turret.

Great choice.
Rusty

 

[Brillo]

The cases are not the problem. The powder is picking up a charge as it falls into the case so the powder will creap up the case side to repell the like charged powder granules. Humidify your reloading room and the problem will disappear.

 

[Wibb]

Humidify your room.

 

[tkcomer]

Well, I did try to meter the 800-X. It won't even come out of the little hole on the bottom of the powder measure unless you keep shaking it. And that's with the powder measure turned on, off the base and holding it in the air. I'll use the RCBS Uniflow to finish off that ¼ pound. On a warm rainy day.

 

[Brillo]

tkcomer - 800-X is a large flake powder. They (flake powders) are all more difficult to meter, especially compared to ball powders. They don't flow very well and are all more sensitive to static charge due to their high surface area to mass ratio. Can you open up the orifice a bit so it will fall without clogging?

 

[tkcomer]

Don't even want to try that. The Auto Disk is a different kind of animal than the regular powder measures. You turn it on and off by twisting the hopper. It aligns a hole in the hopper to a hole in the base to start dropping powder. Not worth the trouble for the 5 bucks of 800-X I have left.

 

[Brillo]

I understand. Sorry, don't know what else to suggest other than something like a RCBS Uniflow powder measure or comparable unit. But that defeats the whole purpose. I don't use True Blue so I don't know how fine it is but thought it was supposed to be easy to load. Very fine powders are a pain, and even the old Uniflow I have doesn't do flake (Unique, 800-X) powders that well.