Powder Funnel Problem
Quote from Reloader on July 14, 2009, 1:40 amI loaded up my first rounds on a new RL550B the other day (9mm). Everything went pretty well using 4.2 gr. of Titegroup. The weighed charges out of the powder measure varied a little more than I'd hoped; but I figured Titegroup just didn't meter well. (I've weighed all charges prior this this when loading on my single stage presses.)
The next day, I swapped calibers to load some .223/5.56mm. Although I had emptied the powder reservoir the best I could the day before, I was dismayed to see a large amount of powder sticking to the inside walls of the 9mm powder funnel. Given I had some powder sticking to the walls of the reservoir, I figured I'd try rubbing down the reservoir and the powder funnel with an anti-static towel before filling up the reservoir again. Problem is, when I ran a patch through the funnel, although I got the powder out, I could see very coarse drill marks inside the funnel. Hoping it was a flawwed funnel, I took a peek through my new, unused, .223 powder funnel and was surprised to see the same coarse ridges along the entire lenght of the inside of it too.
If the inside of the powder funnel isn't shiny smooth and has powder stuck to it during the reloading process, can I hope to get plus or minus 0.1 gr. powder weight precision from the powder drop? Is there a way I can get the coarse machine markings out of my current funnels?
Thanks for your help.
I loaded up my first rounds on a new RL550B the other day (9mm). Everything went pretty well using 4.2 gr. of Titegroup. The weighed charges out of the powder measure varied a little more than I'd hoped; but I figured Titegroup just didn't meter well. (I've weighed all charges prior this this when loading on my single stage presses.)
The next day, I swapped calibers to load some .223/5.56mm. Although I had emptied the powder reservoir the best I could the day before, I was dismayed to see a large amount of powder sticking to the inside walls of the 9mm powder funnel. Given I had some powder sticking to the walls of the reservoir, I figured I'd try rubbing down the reservoir and the powder funnel with an anti-static towel before filling up the reservoir again. Problem is, when I ran a patch through the funnel, although I got the powder out, I could see very coarse drill marks inside the funnel. Hoping it was a flawwed funnel, I took a peek through my new, unused, .223 powder funnel and was surprised to see the same coarse ridges along the entire lenght of the inside of it too.
If the inside of the powder funnel isn't shiny smooth and has powder stuck to it during the reloading process, can I hope to get plus or minus 0.1 gr. powder weight precision from the powder drop? Is there a way I can get the coarse machine markings out of my current funnels?
Thanks for your help.
Quote from Reloader on July 14, 2009, 5:11 pmTitegroup should meter to within +/- .1 grain in the 9mm case. It is a good idea to wipe the interior of the funnel with solvent prior to use, to remove any preservative lubricants.
In .223, what powder do you intend to use? To get the most accurate drops, stick with a ball/spherical powder. Feel free to polish the interior of the powder funnel, using 300 gritt or finer sandpaper. With ball type powders it usually won't make a difference, but can help when trying to load extruded powders.
Titegroup should meter to within +/- .1 grain in the 9mm case. It is a good idea to wipe the interior of the funnel with solvent prior to use, to remove any preservative lubricants.
In .223, what powder do you intend to use? To get the most accurate drops, stick with a ball/spherical powder. Feel free to polish the interior of the powder funnel, using 300 gritt or finer sandpaper. With ball type powders it usually won't make a difference, but can help when trying to load extruded powders.
Quote from Reloader on July 14, 2009, 9:04 pmI figured a good cleaning inside would help keep the powder from sticking as aggressively as it did. I should have done that first.
I bought a bunch of Winchester 748 (ball) powder for the .223. After a good cleaning of the .223 powder die, I'll give it a try without polishing first to see how it goes.
Thanks for the advice!
I figured a good cleaning inside would help keep the powder from sticking as aggressively as it did. I should have done that first.
I bought a bunch of Winchester 748 (ball) powder for the .223. After a good cleaning of the .223 powder die, I'll give it a try without polishing first to see how it goes.
Thanks for the advice!
Quote from Reloader on July 25, 2009, 12:46 pmI polished the hopper, funnel and bar's and have had excellent luck if you want I can send you some pics and directions of what I did to make my powder drop consistent just give me a email address
I polished the hopper, funnel and bar's and have had excellent luck if you want I can send you some pics and directions of what I did to make my powder drop consistent just give me a email address
Quote from Reloader on July 30, 2009, 12:05 amYou can also, after degreasing the funnel, use a Q-Tip and swab the inside of the funnel with a bit of fabric softener (ask your wife/girl friend/mother for some). Apply it sparingly but swab the entire inside surface to assure full coverage, then use another Q-Tip swab to remove the excess.
Fabric softener contains an anti-static agent that reduces/eliminates static cling, which is also what you may be experiencing. It also works well on plastic powder funnels, plastic or aluminum scale pans, etc.
Don
You can also, after degreasing the funnel, use a Q-Tip and swab the inside of the funnel with a bit of fabric softener (ask your wife/girl friend/mother for some). Apply it sparingly but swab the entire inside surface to assure full coverage, then use another Q-Tip swab to remove the excess.
Fabric softener contains an anti-static agent that reduces/eliminates static cling, which is also what you may be experiencing. It also works well on plastic powder funnels, plastic or aluminum scale pans, etc.
Don
Quote from Reloader on September 21, 2009, 4:40 amSince the reservoir is acrylic it accumulates a lot of static build-up. Hang a piece of non scented dryer sheet in the powder drop then fill with powder this will take out the static charge and let the powder flow more freely. it seems that small necked cases have more problems with powder if their is any static.
Since the reservoir is acrylic it accumulates a lot of static build-up. Hang a piece of non scented dryer sheet in the powder drop then fill with powder this will take out the static charge and let the powder flow more freely. it seems that small necked cases have more problems with powder if their is any static.