OT, kinda but not. Need some ideas for my powder measure

[J Miller]

OK, I have a decades old, 3+, Redding #3 powder measure. It has a plastic hopper held in by 2 small screws.

I just bought a pound of Accurate #5 to duplicate the load I was shooting two weeks ago in IN.

Problem: A #5 is so fine, think flea pelosi, that it leaks out of my powder measure. Last time I used Accurate powder it leaked so bad I had a bunch of it on my loading bench. I ended up having to put tape around the hopper and base to stop it.

Any idea on how to stop it without having to tape up my powder measure?
Any idea appreciated.

Joe

[milton]

Joe: I have an older one too and mine did the same thing! Mine was caused but the nitroglycerin reacting with the plastic hopper and essentially destroying it.I had to order a new one from Redding but I think there are places that sell plastic tubing of the diameter needed.If yours is leaking where the plastic hopper fits into the cast iron base this could be the problem.Another cheaper way to repair short term is to just turn the hopper over,drill some new holes in the old top and push it in place.

[J Miller]

Joe: I have an older one too and mine did the same thing! Mine was caused but the nitroglycerin reacting with the plastic hopper and essentially destroying it.I had to order a new one from Redding but I think there are places that sell plastic tubing of the diameter needed.If yours is leaking where the plastic hopper fits into the cast iron base this could be the problem.Another cheaper way to repair short term is to just turn the hopper over,drill some new holes in the old top and push it in place.

Milton,
My hopper is fairly new, I can still see through it. I replaced it about three years ago. I'm gonna put a tray under it and see what happens before I do anything to it.
Maybe a thin sheet of gasket material between the hopper and the base. We'll see.

Joe

[milton]

I have thought about making a hopper out of aluminum tubing with a viewing window on the side.The reason I say that ,I have had three plastic hoppers in 25 years.The first one lasted 18 years and the second about 5 years.I believe the newer plastic may be different as my new tube started showing problems almost immediately, especially with Bulls Eye.

[J Miller]

I have thought about making a hopper out of aluminum tubing with a viewing window on the side.The reason I say that ,I have had three plastic hoppers in 25 years.The first one lasted 18 years and the second about 5 years.I believe the newer plastic may be different as my new tube started showing problems almost immediately, especially with Bulls Eye.

My first one got wasted cos I left it filled with something, probably 231 or Unique for several weeks one time. The acid in the powder or whatever it is literally left dimples all over the inside of the hopper and turned it black. I used it till it got so brittle it kept breaking at the retaining screw holes. I got two of them now. A standard sized one and a really tall one I've never used.

So far, so good.

It might not even leak being's it's fairly new.

Joe

[bsaride]

haven't tried it but my first thought is to put a bead of silicone over the joint.

[morgan in nm]

You might try a fuel bowl gasket on the bottom then put your hopper on against it. The thing is, you might have to go to several part stores to find one that is willing to work with you before saying, "We don't have those."

[Griff]

haven't tried it but my first thought is to put a bead of silicone over the joint.

I'd suggest this as a "try 1st" solution. My second thought was that I've used the same RCBS powder measure for the past 35 years... nary a problem... well, wait, hold the phone; I broke the hopper once... glued it back together, no problems since.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

haven't tried it but my first thought is to put a bead of silicone over the joint.

Yep, but the silicone will attract the powder particles.

Joe,
I would suggest some super glue. if you have a hobby store near you that specializes in RC flying models they will have the thin stuff but will most likely have the thicker super glues the fill voids well. That's what I would do. It will dry hard.

[J Miller]

haven't tried it but my first thought is to put a bead of silicone over the joint.

Yep, but the silicone will attract the powder particles.

Joe,
I would suggest some super glue. if you have a hobby store near you that specializes in RC flying models they will have the thin stuff but will most likely have the thicker super glues the fill voids well. That's what I would do. It will dry hard.

Before I do anything permanent like super glue or silicone I think I'll try it as is. Then maybe make a gasket. Like I said, I have two hoppers and I want to be able to switch them out.

Joe

[Tycer]

beeswax or whatever solid bullet lube you use.

[J Miller]

beeswax or whatever solid bullet lube you use.

Ahhhhh, now that there is a fine idea. Would seal the gap and not permanently alter my powder measure.

That one I like.

Joe

[J Miller]

I just checked my powder measure. The new hopper is tight in the base. No wobbles, no moving around. The old one that leaked wiggled and moved around. Hopefully I won't have any problems.

Now, besides the jacketed load I wanted to duplicate, but nobody has the bloody Hornady 250gr XTP bullets, what is A #5 good for? That's a rhetorical question, I'll be digging in my load books soon.

Joe

[Griff]

I just checked my powder measure. The new hopper is tight in the base. No wobbles, no moving around. The old one that leaked wiggled and moved around. Hopefully I won't have any problems.
Now, besides the jacketed load I wanted to duplicate, but nobody has the bloody Hornady 250gr XTP bullets, what is A #5 good for? That's a rhetorical question, I'll be digging in my load books soon.
Joe

Boy I'm glad you said, that... I was about to tell ya!

[J Miller]

I just checked my powder measure. The new hopper is tight in the base. No wobbles, no moving around. The old one that leaked wiggled and moved around. Hopefully I won't have any problems.
Now, besides the jacketed load I wanted to duplicate, but nobody has the bloody Hornady 250gr XTP bullets, what is A #5 good for? That's a rhetorical question, I'll be digging in my load books soon.
Joe

Boy I'm glad you said, that... I was about to tell ya!

You could always tell me anyway. You might have something the data books don't.

Joe

[Travis Morgan]

Go get a $4 tube of silicone caulk.

[Griff]

I just checked my powder measure. The new hopper is tight in the base. No wobbles, no moving around. The old one that leaked wiggled and moved around. Hopefully I won't have any problems.
Now, besides the jacketed load I wanted to duplicate, but nobody has the bloody Hornady 250gr XTP bullets, what is A #5 good for? That's a rhetorical question, I'll be digging in my load books soon.
Joe

Boy I'm glad you said, that... I was about to tell ya!

You could always tell me anyway. You might have something the data books don't.
Joe

I don't... I've only used 1 can of #5, testing for clean shotshell powders.

[Glenn]

Joe,
The hopper on my RCBS measure got a little loose after taking it on and off a few times. It is a press fit. I put a wrap of tape around the pertinent area, trimmed the excess, and pressed it back together. Can't see the tape and it holds.
Glenn

[horsesoldier03]

Mine does that occasionally, although not too bad. I just lay a sheet of paper under my measure where it will catch the flakes that fall out. I never have more than a shots worth typically accumulate when loading approx. 100 rds. My measure is a LEE. I figured thats what I have to put up with for going cheap, Now I am glad to know that others have the same issue that paid more.

[J Miller]

The really really fine ball powders like A #5 and #9 are the only ones that do or did this in my powder measure. All the rest stayed put inside. The Accurate powders are the finest powders I've used.

Joe