Powder sticking to RCDS Powder Checker Die

[cds43016]

I currently load 357 mag on a Lee Classic Turret Press using auto index. I size and prime off the press and use the station I save to contain a RCBS Powder Checker Die placed right after the power measure. I also check the powder level visibly before seating the bullet. Overkill maybe, but it’s a process that i‘m comfortable with and has already prevented a squib.

The only issue that I have is with the RCBS Powder Checker Die. Powder sometimes sticks to foot of the powder checker spilling particles of powder on the press. It’s not much but it is a nuisance.

Has anyone else experienced this issue and found a solution?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Wise_A]

How long have you been using the powder check die? If the answer is "not very long", the problem should dissipate as the checker is "seasoned". Static cling causes powder granules to stick to things like hoppers and measures and such. Gradually, a buildup of powder residue forms that prevents this. Some guys will take a new powder measure and run a pound of graphite powder through it, but mostly, you can just wear it in.

As an aside, with most cartridge/powder combinations, you can really get away without a powder check if you just take the time to weigh 50-100 consecutive charges--and don't go pushing loads to silly-light levels. There are some powders that don't play nice, but this practice will tell you which ones they are.

 

[Bkreutz]

I currently load 357 mag on a Lee Classic Turret Press using auto index. I size and prime off the press and use the station I save to contain a RCBS Powder Checker Die placed right after the power measure. I also check the powder level visibly before seating the bullet. Overkill maybe, but it’s a process that i‘m comfortable with and has already prevented a squib.

The only issue that I have is with the RCBS Powder Checker Die. Powder sometimes sticks to foot of the powder checker spilling particles of powder on the press. It’s not much but it is a nuisance.

Has anyone else experienced this issue and found a solution?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I had the same problem with a Dillon powder check. I polished the foot and kept it clean with an alcohol pad. This helped a lot but I got tired of cleaning the foot every 100 rounds or so. I took the powder check off and just watch the case as it goes past that station. Now I have an empty station on my press and I have "Mr Bullet Feeder" on my Christmas list.

 

[Fishinfool]

I have heard that wiping it with an anti static dryer sheet will prevent this, though I have not tried it myself.

Larry

 

[Clovishound]

As an aside, with most cartridge/powder combinations, you can really get away without a powder check if you just take the time to weigh 50-100 consecutive charges--and don't go pushing loads to silly-light levels. There are some powders that don't play nice, but this practice will tell you which ones they are.

I would respectfully disagree with that. There are lots of things that can happen besides a powder measure throwing way too much powder unexpectedly. In my mind the most dangerous thing is when weighing charges. If you are adjusting the powder measure it is easy enough to forget to dump a load of powder and add another load on top. That is why I always use a powder check on every load, even when weighing.

I have never noticed the check die dragging powder out of the case. It might be, but not enough to really notice. I consider a powder cop as a necessity for deep walled cases when using a turret or progressive, unless you are going to either put the filled cases in a loading block for inspection, or use lighting and eyeball every case in the press. FWIW the powder cop makes it much easier to spot an over/undercharge. You have a more precise frame of reference than about how far up the wall the charge should be. I have played with it and can spot less than a half a grain deviation. Not so with eyeballing them.

 

[cds43016]

I can’t imagine at this point not checking my charge without the powder checker die. As I mentioned in my original post I also visually check.

In such a tall case as the 357 with light charges (4.5 grains of Universal), it’s hard to get a precise measurement of what’s in the case by eye. The case is tall, it’s dark inside the case, the powder is black and the angle to look in the case even with a mirror is not direct with a Lee Turret Press. Yes, I can see inside the case and can see a missing charge and a double charge but it can be hard to judge other differences. The Powder Check Die does give me a good indication of what’s there and as the previous poster had said I can detect easily if the charge is a little light or high. Much easier than the manual check of small charges in a tall, dark, and cavernous case. But I still do manually check.

When I first started using it, I also had a new Lee Drum Powder Measure. It started out OK but suddenly started throwing light charges. The powder check die detected it immediately. There was a part on the powder dispenser that was defective and failed. Without the powder check I may not have noticed it as quickly as I did.

I think the riskiest part of reloading is the loading the powder charge whether it is loading the wrong powder or too little or too much of the right powder. Checking and double checking is worth the peace of mind.

I will follow the advice of posters above and try cleaning the foot with an alcohol pad and try wiping it with a dryer sheet to cut down on static cling. But even if it still drops a few flakes on the press it is well worth it to be assured that my loads are as safe as I can make them.

Thank you all for your help and comments.

 

[Wise_A]

I would respectfully disagree with that. There are lots of things that can happen besides a powder measure throwing way too much powder unexpectedly. In my mind the most dangerous thing is when weighing charges. If you are adjusting the powder measure it is easy enough to forget to dump a load of powder and add another load on top. That is why I always use a powder check on every load, even when weighing.

On a progressive, you should be clearing the plate if you have a problem. Including when you're adjusting the measure.

On a turret, you would need to weigh the case, and then fail to either seat a bullet or dump the powder (both of which should be habits). Then you would need to cycle the press three times, and avoid depriming the case (you always fully raise the ram, no matter what, right?).

Guarding against double-charges is your responsibility, not a station on your press.

If you want to use one, fine. If you want to argue they're indispensable, well...they're not.