For some reason, my AA No. 2 is clumping up badly and making for inconsistent powder throws. I don't know if the increased humidity is doing it, or if a small bit of oil I used in the swing arm is somehow seeping into the powder area on the thrower. Regardless, it's making me have to weigh every throw to ensure I'm getting the same charges. God, it's frustrating. Any ideas?
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Powder clumping up
- Thread starter ZLBubba
- Start date
Re: Powder clumping up
try to clean your powder dispensor well, also try rubing it with a fabric softner sheet to remove any static charge. Do you have any residual neck lube on the case neck?
Kirk R
try to clean your powder dispensor well, also try rubing it with a fabric softner sheet to remove any static charge. Do you have any residual neck lube on the case neck?
Kirk R
Re: Powder clumping up
Right now there doesn't seem to be any access lube, but I'm thinking it's the powder dispenser as well. It somehow became gummed up to the point it wouldn't drop a charge at all. I'm in the process of cleaning it and hopefully that will solve the problem.
Right now there doesn't seem to be any access lube, but I'm thinking it's the powder dispenser as well. It somehow became gummed up to the point it wouldn't drop a charge at all. I'm in the process of cleaning it and hopefully that will solve the problem.
Re: Powder clumping up
How does it smell? Bad powder has an acrid kinda' nasty smell. Good powder has a light solvent smell. Also take a tablespoon out and rub it across some white paper and see if it makes a mark from the powder decomposing and or becoming gooey. Otherwise as others have already said about anti-static cloth and possible moisture buildup. Are you in a humid area?
How does it smell? Bad powder has an acrid kinda' nasty smell. Good powder has a light solvent smell. Also take a tablespoon out and rub it across some white paper and see if it makes a mark from the powder decomposing and or becoming gooey. Otherwise as others have already said about anti-static cloth and possible moisture buildup. Are you in a humid area?
Re: Powder clumping up
"...take a tablespoon out and rub it across some white paper and see if it makes a mark from the powder decomposing and or becoming gooey..." Great info, thanks
"...take a tablespoon out and rub it across some white paper and see if it makes a mark from the powder decomposing and or becoming gooey..." Great info, thanks
Re: Powder clumping up
You don't use oil on a powder measure . You use dry lubricants like graphite and moly.
Wash the drum and plunger out in Shellite ( lighter fluid) several times. Dry it off with a hairdryer and reassemble. Then buy a packet of graphite enough to fill the powder hopper at least 2 /3 .
Then operate the measure and dump all the graphite through it.
This lubricates the drum and removes static also.
If after this the powder still clumps then it may be going off as others have suggested .
Powders usually have an anti static coating on the outside , it used to be just graphite years ago .
If the powder is going off then this is the first coating to break down.
If the powder is very old it may be past its prime . If its fairly new then it should be ok.
You don't use oil on a powder measure . You use dry lubricants like graphite and moly.
Wash the drum and plunger out in Shellite ( lighter fluid) several times. Dry it off with a hairdryer and reassemble. Then buy a packet of graphite enough to fill the powder hopper at least 2 /3 .
Then operate the measure and dump all the graphite through it.
This lubricates the drum and removes static also.
If after this the powder still clumps then it may be going off as others have suggested .
Powders usually have an anti static coating on the outside , it used to be just graphite years ago .
If the powder is going off then this is the first coating to break down.
If the powder is very old it may be past its prime . If its fairly new then it should be ok.
Re: Powder clumping up
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KRock459</div><div class="ubbcode-body">try to clean your powder dispensor well, also try rubing it with a fabric softner sheet to remove any static charge. Do you have any residual neck lube on the case neck?
Kirk R </div></div>
Also Wally world sells a anti-static spray,I spray 1hr prior to loading.Also all my presses have grounding wires to them helps cut back on static.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KRock459</div><div class="ubbcode-body">try to clean your powder dispensor well, also try rubing it with a fabric softner sheet to remove any static charge. Do you have any residual neck lube on the case neck?
Kirk R </div></div>
Also Wally world sells a anti-static spray,I spray 1hr prior to loading.Also all my presses have grounding wires to them helps cut back on static.
Re: Powder clumping up
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Country</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You don't use oil on a powder measure . You use dry lubricants like graphite and moly.
Wash the drum and plunger out in Shellite ( lighter fluid) several times. Dry it off with a hairdryer and reassemble. Then buy a packet of graphite enough to fill the powder hopper at least 2 /3 .
Then operate the measure and dump all the graphite through it.
This lubricates the drum and removes static also.
If after this the powder still clumps then it may be going off as others have suggested .
Powders usually have an anti static coating on the outside , it used to be just graphite years ago .
If the powder is going off then this is the first coating to break down.
If the powder is very old it may be past its prime . If its fairly new then it should be ok. </div></div>
Well said ! +1
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Country</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You don't use oil on a powder measure . You use dry lubricants like graphite and moly.
Wash the drum and plunger out in Shellite ( lighter fluid) several times. Dry it off with a hairdryer and reassemble. Then buy a packet of graphite enough to fill the powder hopper at least 2 /3 .
Then operate the measure and dump all the graphite through it.
This lubricates the drum and removes static also.
If after this the powder still clumps then it may be going off as others have suggested .
Powders usually have an anti static coating on the outside , it used to be just graphite years ago .
If the powder is going off then this is the first coating to break down.
If the powder is very old it may be past its prime . If its fairly new then it should be ok. </div></div>
Well said ! +1
