RepackboxLoad DataInline FabricationMidSouth Shooters Supply
Reloading EverythingLee PrecisionPBcastcoTitan Reloading
RotoMetals2 Wideners
Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: i'd like to run an idea past the people who know stuff!

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    MUSKOGEE
    Posts
    1,516

    i'd like to run an idea past the people who know stuff!

    in another thread i stated that my red dot powder was sticking to my powder measure pan...and i thought that the pan surface had something on it that was causing the stick.

    so i washed it in alcohol, aceton, naptha, laquer thinner, dawn soap, all to no avail.

    anywhere between .01 grains to .03 grains each time ....if you tap the pan maybe some will come loose.
    mostly not.

    my conclusion is that there must be moisture of a minor degree in my powder (noticed some clumping as i was pouring it.)

    so.... what do you people in the know think about a dry rice bag in with the powder? (in the jug)
    or maybe a "desecant" bag in with the powder to dry it out?

    i hit my pan with the wifes powder puff (non perfumed talcum powder) and that seems to help but only in the short term.

    so what do you think about mixing a quarter thimble full of talc in a 8 pound jug of powder?
    do you think that would that work?

    or put a saltine cracker in with the powder?

    anything to stop the clumping!

  2. #2
    Boolit Master


    David2011's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Baytown Texas
    Posts
    4,106
    I would and have rubbed reloading tools with a used dryer sheet to get rid of the clinging. Worth a try before contaminating your powder.
    Sometimes life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you it's a one way street. Jim Morris

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    The Willamette Valley, in Oregon
    Posts
    682
    Static charge; my Lyman pan is metal and doesn't do this. Is your measure pan plastic?

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Cass county, Michigan
    Posts
    653
    I would try one new pound of powder before using the desiccant packs in the jug of old powder. I would think that moisture content of the powder would have an effect on burning rate.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    MUSKOGEE
    Posts
    1,516
    oh yeah ....tried the dryer sheet....actually that was first....metal pan.

    i have 4 metal pans...they all do it!

  6. #6
    Boolit Master


    Bookworm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Central Oklahoma, on a dirt road.
    Posts
    1,184
    I would try rubbing the pan with graphite. Perhaps that will slick it up.

  7. #7
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    96
    My opinion only with no facts to support it. We use uncooked rice in a bowl or plastic bag to dry out cellphones very quickly. The rice is still solid after it drys out the cellphone. I think in my opinion it would work and then allow you to remove the rice. I would put the rice in a filter bag for long turn use.
    Last edited by mdhillbilly1; 09-12-2017 at 05:43 PM.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master



    Bzcraig's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Nampa, ID
    Posts
    3,747
    Quote Originally Posted by Bookworm View Post
    I would try rubbing the pan with graphite. Perhaps that will slick it up.
    This is my suggestion as well
    "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same......." - Ronald Reagan

    "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived." - George Patton

    The second amendment is a nail on which hangs a picture of freedom - member Alex 4x4 Tver, Russia

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    MN
    Posts
    707
    I would not add any foreign agent to any powder at any time!

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master OS OK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    El Dorado County, N. Ca.
    Posts
    6,234
    Have you called one of the powder companies? You have too much moisture in the can...the trick is how much to take out and an acceptable method to do it.
    a m e r i c a n p r a v d a

    Be a Patriot . . . expose their lies!

    “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” G. Orwell

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Posts
    479
    If your powder does have moisture in it, make sure the pan is slightly warmer then the powder. Warm the pan with a hair dryer for a couple of seconds then fill with the powder and see if it stops sticking. If moisture comes into contact with a cold surface, then it will condense, and cause the sticking problem that you have.

    If that works, put the powder that is in the can in the fridge for twenty minutes with the lid off. The moist powder must be cooler than the pan to stop sticking.
    Don't add talc to the can. Use a desiccant in a bag in the can.

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master

    mdi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    So. Orygun
    Posts
    7,237
    I can see no down sides to putting desiccant bags or bags of rice in your powder. They will only absorb water, and not add anything...
    My Anchor is holding fast!

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    The Willamette Valley, in Oregon
    Posts
    682
    So what did the powder manufacturer say?

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy Gunners Mate's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    San Antonio Texas
    Posts
    133
    Polish your pan and wax it with car wax. I polished the inside of my Dillon powder dropper, made a big difference on load charge weight consistency. Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1558.jpg 
Views:	20 
Size:	41.2 KB 
ID:	204006 before polishingClick image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1557.jpg 
Views:	21 
Size:	43.8 KB 
ID:	204007after polishing to mirror shine

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Greater Portland OR.
    Posts
    1,736
    Calling the powder manufacturer is the best idea here. Playing around with the moisture content may effect burn rate, something I wouldn't want to do.

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master bedbugbilly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    MI (summer) - AZ (winter)
    Posts
    5,098
    I saw and responded to your other post. You are four hours to the south of me so the weather is not that much different than here - you can have humidity but not like some places in the south get.

    Can you give a little bit more information on your Red Dot? Where are you keeping it stored? How old is it? I use Red Dot a lot- right now, I have a 8 pound jug that I transfer in to a 1 pound Red Dot container. I really have never experienced what I would call a "moisture content" problem with any of it - or all the other powders I use.

    I am also curious if you have tried some RD from another container and still get the same results? If a container is opened, powder poured out and back in, etc. and the cap screwed on tight, I don't see how you would be getting enough moisture content to mess things up. All of my powders are stored in my basement - underground level - where there can be coolness and I'm sure humidity depending on the time of the year.

    Any time I have used anything "plastic", I have had issues with static problems but a good wiping with a used dryer sheet or a dusting of graphite has taken care of it. I use plastic dippers at times and my powder funnels are the Lee red plastic ones - no Lee bashing please. Once they've been wiped or dusted, the powder flows just fine. My scales are two different RCBS 505 which have metal pans. Once in a while I might have a grain or two "stick" when pouring the out but that happens regardless of what powder I'm using - RD, BE, Unique, Green Dot or black powder. A little tap of the pan with my index finger as I'm pouring from the pan knocks them off.

    What scale and pan are you using? As suggested, you might want to try polishing your scale pan and waxing it. Remember though that "polishing" is no different than "sanding" - material can be removed depending on how much you polish or how heavy of a head you have. Once you polish your pan, be sure to check you scale with weights to make sure of the accuracy of the scale.

  17. #17
    Banned

    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    soda springs Id.
    Posts
    28,088
    powder sucks in moisture and lets it back out all the time.

    I'd spray some graphite down the spout, and work some powder through it.
    I worked graphite into my plastic pans too have no problems with them, they took up abut .3grs worth of graphite.
    most powders have graphite on them anyway, it helps them flow through the packaging equipment.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check