How do you clean your powder measure tubes?

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How do you clean your plastic powder measure tubes? Is it inevitable that they get discolored and opaque from gunpowder? Thank you
 
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Inevitable?
Only if you leave powder setting in it for extended periods of time.

I always dump the powder back in the can when I finish a reloading session.

If you don't, the acid in the powder leaches into the plastic & turns it yellow, as you discovered.

I know of no good way to reverse the process, short of replacing the hopper.

I guess you could take it off and soak it in Clorox bleach and see if that does anything, but I have never tried it.

rc
 
+1 on dumping the powder back into the container right after loading - I like it stored in something that is sealed from changes in humidity -

I also take a "bounce" sheet and put it in the powder dispenser to counteract some of the static electricity that makes the powder cling to the side - I don't know if it works but I figure it doesn't hurt -
 
Once the plastic discolors, that's what you have unless you replace it.
As others have mentioned, it's a good idea to pour the powder back in the can immediately after use for a couple reasons.

The only tip I can give is to wipe the plastic with a laundry anti-static sheet to prevent static in the measure.

I guess dreamer56 beat me to it.

NCsmitty
 
I have a feeling that Clorox bleach will etch the plastic...
Click to expand...
I don't think it will.
Clorox comes in a plastic jug, with a plastic lid.

Yea! I know!
Different kind of plastic.

Still, I don't think it will hurt the kind of plastic they make powder hoppers out of, or I wouldn't have suggested it.

The other suggestion would be not to use it full strength.
Put to in some water to dilute it down some.

rc
 
I have two different powder hoppers. I have had my RCBS UPM for over 15 years (with a hard plastic hopper) and is still as clear as the day I bought it. The other is a Hornady LnL powder measure (made with a softer plastic hopper). It is so dark that I can barely see the powder and it is only 15 months old. I always dump the powder after a loadiing session. The difference is the type of plastic they are made of. I took the hopper off the Hornady and ran it through the diswasher with no help. I guess it depends on the type of hopper you have.
 
Yup rc...Different plastic and it's already opaque (white). :evil:

I have a Lee powder dispenser that is over 20 years old and it is still bright red and you can stil see the powder in it. I do, however, dump the unused powder back into its original container when I complete the reloading operation...
 
I use two different Powder reservoirs - an old nasty brown reservoir when I load using Unique and Bullseye, and a nice clear reservoir when I load everything else.
 
All my powder measures are used & one was discolored (RCBS Uniflow). If you clean it you risk having the plastic crack and such. On mine I can see the powder level so it is good enough. It throws the powder just the same.
 
Talk about a none issue

It could be lavender with pink spots. If it meters the same on each throw whats the problem.
I got faded socks and they walk the same.
 
i always dump the excess powder back into the container as well. then, i use compressed air to totally get rid of any powder that stays behind. do not want to be mixing powders!:what:
 
I don't clean it and don't let powder stay in there when not being loaded. If it gets dirty enough to where I can't see powder, toss it and buy the same size clear PVC tubing. It's nothing fancy.
 
where do you buy the clear tubing?

where do you buy the clear tubing for a LNL powder measure?

Please post links and / or names of stores

thanks
 
Don't have a LNL. Just measure the OD, length, and wall to get the size. Most hardware stores have clear PVC; Ace, Menards, Home Depot, Lowe's.
 
How do you clean/empty powder tubes on a Dillon 650? I have three. One is over ten years old and is full all the time. The other two about the same. They are clear and have never been cleaned. Thousands of 38s, 45 Colt, and 45acp.
 
You can buy most anything from the McMasterCarr (http://www.mcmaster.com/#)catalog. The trick is finding what you are looking for and not getting distracted by all the cool stuff they have.

After getting a hard copy of their catalog I finally why you old guys would go on and on about the old Sears catalog.

Sadly, McMaster-Carr doesn't sell guns. Or have those racy corset ads. ;)
 
There is some plastic cleaning products at the auto parts store that might work. My favorite is Meguires Plast-x. It turns yellow opaque headlight lens into clean-glass-clear in an application or two. I use it on all my plastic surfaces around the house now. lol

Justin
 
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