RCBS Uniflow Powder Dispenser trouble

19 January 2002, 10:11

Shane in WI

I bought the RCBS Master reloading kit and began reloading 1 year ago.
I weigh all rifle powder charges and use the Uniflow only as a starting point. It has worked very well and throws charges very consistantly, but I've noticed somthing. I was loading Benchmark powder for my 22-250 and noticed some of the grains of powder sticking to and around the green plastic tip that screws into the bottom tip. I took it out, cleaned with solvent and blew dry with air. I tried it again with the same results. Doesn't seem to affect the accuracy at all, but I know some of the grains could fall with the charge. Is it static? Or just need more cleaning?
Anyone else had this trouble?
Thanks,

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Shane Marquardt

19 January 2002, 11:38

JerryO

quote:
Originally posted by Shane in WI:
noticed some of the grains of powder sticking to and around the green plastic tip that screws into the bottom tip. Is it static? Or just need more cleaning?

This january. Outside dew points are low so as this air warms up inside, the relative dew points are low and give us static problems (in most houses).

As reference, (kinda) as the dew point moves down from the ambient (room in this case) temperature, Every 20 degrees F will represent dropping the relative humidity in half (and for those who care, wet bulb is nearly half way between the two).

SO: at a room temperature of 70F:
A dew point of 50F, gives 50% relative humidity.
A dew point of 30F, gives 25% relative humidity.
A dew point of 10F, gives 12.5% relative humidity.
A dew point of -10F, gives 6.25% relative humidity.

OK, it's not quite that linear, but is close enough to make the point.

I have read that wipeing with a clothes dryer sheet or washing with dish soap (dishwasher?) and letting it air dry will leave a film which conducts the electrons away.

JerryO

20 January 2002, 02:41

Shane in WI

Makes sence to me. Forgot to mention that my loading bench is located in the garage. I do have a heater when it really gets cold. I fired it up last night to work up some 22-250 brass.

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Shane Marquardt

20 January 2002, 08:25

<auto>

I am not into dew points and baromatic pressures and humidity, and such, but I do reload and in so doing I also use the RCBS powder measure. I also have noticed that sometimes there is a couple of granules that are left sticking in the plastic drop tube. I just always thought it was static electricity. Clothes dryer sheets, huh? I'm gonna try it. Seems like there was a static cling thing on something else also. I'm gonna have to keep a few handy. I think I may have learned something here today....Thanks.

20 January 2002, 08:37

<.>

Here's another idea:

Take the spout tip and run a heap of powder through it. I would get a large cup and hold it flush against the end of the spout so that the powder can back up in the tip.

Do this several times, like a few dozen.

Powder is coated with graphite and RCBS recommends that you run some powder through the hopper to coat the sides of the plastic walls with graphite. Makes sense that you'd want to coat this spout tip too.