Powder residue in my powder measure

[NotSoFast]

I loaded my first loads last night, 9mm using WSF. When I was finished I poured the remainder back in the cannister it came out of since I was planning to load with a different powder today. But when I was done, there is still powder residue stuck to the sides of the measure. I want to clean it out bu I'm not sure what to use to get it all out. And, if at all possible, I would prefer to not have to disassemble the whole thing to clean it.

What do you use to clean the residue from your powder measure? Or don't you bother? If not, why not?

 

[bullseye308]

Get the grains that you can see out, what you are seeing is the graphite coating on the powder I believe. If you don't see any grains of powder and just have a "film" left in the hopper, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[NotSoFast]

Mostly I see graphite. But there are some grains that I can see as well. Do I just knock them out on the bench top and sweep them into the trash then?

 

[Bitswap]

Mostly I see graphite. But there are some grains that I can see as well. Do I just knock them out on the bench top and sweep them into the trash then?

I sweep them in an ash tray and burn them before dumping into the trash. A tuna can would do as well. Take the battery out of your smoke detector is doing this inside If your bench is clean, dump them back into the powder jar and reuse. A few particles of dust won't matter.

 

[Sunray]

"...Do I just knock them out..." Yep. Then, wipe out the rest of it with a J-cloth. No big deal.

 

[NotSoFast]

Thanks gentlemen. I appreciate the help. What puzzles me is that there are indications of static buildup and I thouight the Lee powder measures and funnel were supposed to be anti-static.

 

[paperpuncher49]

Not So Fast,

You might want to get a 79 cent 1" paint brush. It makes it easy to sweep out the hopper if any grains remain. I would not worry about burning whatever you are going to dispose. A few grains of powder will not cause any problem. Just dump it in the trash or on the lawn.

 

[Griz44]

2nd that vote for lawn or flower pot. That stuff is excellent fertilizer. I have the Lee measures as well, just a quick tap or two while you have it tipped up will drop the spare grains out. The residue left behind is no issue, and helps keep static down on the next batch. If it bugs you, use some dry powdered graphite (like the kind for locks) and wipe the inside of the measure. That will help with future loads as well.

 

[Walkalong]

Take the measure apart. Wipe it all down with Isopropyl Alchohol. Let it dry. This will help.

In my experience with WSF, it sticks in the measure worse than a lot of powders, especially if you leave it overnight.

 

[redneck2]

Read the "Tips and Tricks" sticky at the top. There are some posts about using dryer sheets to stop static.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I 2nd the paint brush. Some fine grained powders seem to stick worse then others. In my experiance Titegroup is very bad in this reguard. A lite swipe with a small brush takes care of it.

Wipe the hopper down with an anti static drier sheet [bounce] and it will help some.
I`ve heard others claim working a can of powder through the measure before useing will coat it with graphite and prevent this problem also.

 

[Walkalong]

Any powder with a high Nitro content will be bad about sticking to the clear hopper if it's left in the measure for any length of time.

 

[BAT1]

That stuff has some volatile solvents in it, so watch plastic. If it is just a light film leave it, it makes things glide smooth. For static, wipe everything with dryer sheets.

 

[lgbloader]

+1 for paint brush to brush/sweep the sticking powder residue off the inside of the hopper and powder measure. I also use the dryer sheets method on the poweder measure, hopper, and funnel. It really works.

Cheers...

 

[Otto]

I just shoot some canned air in the hopper and the job is done.

 

[Sport45]

+1 on Otto's comment. I reload in the garage and just use the air hose to blow out the hopper when it needs it.