Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
Armory Sponsor
2/9/2013 4:08:07 PM EDT
I did quite a bit of reloading years ago on a friends equipment. He is no longer around to consult so I thought I would check here for ideas.   I searched earlier through the resources but did not see this specifically addressed.  

It is cold and dry here today so static is a bit of a problem.   I tried reloading some this morning and only got through a dozen rounds before I could not handle it any longer.
It started mild and got very bad.  So bad that I thought I was going to have a spark ignition.  

I was dipping A1680 using one of the Lee Improved Measuring Scoops.  Then I trickled the remaining charge into the metal measuring pan that came with the Hornady pocket scale.  I noticed that some of the powder would stick in the RCBS funnel.   I would knock it into the round and move to the next.  Each time it got worse until the inside of the funnel was covered.  Curious as to why it was getting that bad I even took a scoop of powder and tried slowly dropping it in. I tried a second funnel and it did the same.   What freaked me out was the powder started jumping out of the scoop like popcorn jumping out of a pan.   I thought about taking a video of it as it was pretty neat but scary at the same time.

In the past we always loaded during the summer so the humidity was not an issue.  

I dumped the rounds that I was concerned about and put everything up for the day.  

We don't use dryer sheets so could not try that.  Grounding did not seem to help either.  

I reload in my garage which is unheated and not sealed to using a humidifier is not going to work.  I am going to wait until the weather improves some but wanted to see if any other ideas I can try?  Better scoops, or funnels?  

2/9/2013 4:53:13 PM EDT
[#1]

Brownells has metal reloading funnels. They work great with no static. I have several and there the only ones that I use.

 http://www.brownells.com/reloading/powder-handling/powder-funnels/satern-aluminum-powder-funnels-prod33260.aspx?ttver=2

2/9/2013 5:33:54 PM EDT
[#2]
Thanks, I will look into those funnels.  Now I need to figure out the scoops.  The powder was jumping out of the scoop before I could drop it in the measuring pan.  Holding it over the funnel made it worse.   I am thinking that I might make some scoops out of old cartridge cases so that they are also metal.  

I was hoping to get something like one of the Forster Bench Powder Measures in the future but I see they may be discontinued.
2/9/2013 6:06:38 PM EDT
[#3]
Hot soapy water, wash, rinse, air dry. Problem solved. I load with plastic pans and funnels, no issues.

Regards,


dc.
2/9/2013 6:20:27 PM EDT
[#4]
A dryer sheet does work very well.  It would be worth it to buy some, IMO.
2/9/2013 6:59:08 PM EDT
[#5]
The transparent green RCBS funnels are terrible for static, but the old style solid colored (and a softer type of plastic) remains static free.  I think RCBS put the old style back on the market.

2/9/2013 7:11:20 PM EDT
[#6]



Quoted:


A dryer sheet does work very well.  It would be worth it to buy some, IMO.


This, get some dryer sheets. It's worth it.

 
2/9/2013 7:45:48 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
The transparent green RCBS funnels are terrible for static, but the old style solid colored (and a softer type of plastic) remains static free.  I think RCBS put the old style back on the market.




That's the funnel I use with Veritas scale. Don't know what coating is left from manufacture but it washes off and no more issue. Afterwards I use dryer sheets.
2/9/2013 10:07:55 PM EDT
[#8]
A third vote for dryer sheets.

If you cut them up and throw them in your tumbler it works fantastically well on static in the corn cob media, and also absorbs dust.

Just go buy a package of the off-brand walmart ones for $3 and call it a day.
2/10/2013 4:56:40 AM EDT
[#9]
I will try both the cleaning and dryer sheets.  

I started out using the old RCBS funnel and I remembered I had the new one in the drawer.  Both of them had the powder stick so I will probably get the aluminum funnel if the cleaning and dryer sheets does not help.
Armory Sponsor