guzma393
Active Member
PSA and TLDR: Always check your powder measure throws. Had an instance where powder left in a powder measure dispensing low/no powder after being left in the hopper for less than 48 hours (yes i checked it was open).
I've been hearing mixed opinions about leaving powder in the powder measure. In my case, I usually drain the powder measure after each use when I don't plan on using it in the next 48 hours. My reloading bench is in a humidity controlled environment and up until this incident, I've had no incidences with other powders except for titegroup (this is the exception; this powder likes to stain and stick everywhere)
I had a situation that makes me re-think my approach. I left powder (shooters world blackout, D063) in the hopper as I planned to get back into loading more x39 on my progressive. When I got back into it 2 days later, I "seasoned" and measured the powder measure drops, per my SOP, and caught intermittent and even no powder throws from 5-8 cases. I drained the powder measure back in the jug and didn't see any clumps or anything out of the ordinary. I then shook the jug and replaced the powder back in the powder measure, and it starts throwing normal again.
I was lucky to catch this, otherwise, I will have a couple of squibs in the batch...did the powder clump from the humidity? Aside from that, I'll be keeping an eye on my lee auto drum from now on, maybe even start using a powder cop die.
I've been hearing mixed opinions about leaving powder in the powder measure. In my case, I usually drain the powder measure after each use when I don't plan on using it in the next 48 hours. My reloading bench is in a humidity controlled environment and up until this incident, I've had no incidences with other powders except for titegroup (this is the exception; this powder likes to stain and stick everywhere)
I had a situation that makes me re-think my approach. I left powder (shooters world blackout, D063) in the hopper as I planned to get back into loading more x39 on my progressive. When I got back into it 2 days later, I "seasoned" and measured the powder measure drops, per my SOP, and caught intermittent and even no powder throws from 5-8 cases. I drained the powder measure back in the jug and didn't see any clumps or anything out of the ordinary. I then shook the jug and replaced the powder back in the powder measure, and it starts throwing normal again.
I was lucky to catch this, otherwise, I will have a couple of squibs in the batch...did the powder clump from the humidity? Aside from that, I'll be keeping an eye on my lee auto drum from now on, maybe even start using a powder cop die.