|
|
Post by dovehunter on Feb 11, 2010 19:57:45 GMT -5
Since I started using Hodgdon's H-335 and H-Lil'Gun powders I have been having problem with my old OHAUS aluminum powder trickler dispensing these powders. Either you can rotate the handle until you get tennis elbow and nothing comes out or you can't seem to get all the powder out of the trickler when you are finished or both. I've never experienced that problem with any other powder. My other trickler is an ancient cast-iron (or so it appears) Herter's trickler that doesn't seem to be affected with either problem. However it's prone to chucking out occasional large gobs of powder causing you to have to dump your charge and start over.
Is there something peculiar about the two mentioned Hodgdon powders or is the problem with the OHAUS aluminum trickler and is there anything I can do to correct this problem?
I went to the gunshop today and they had two tricklers: an RCBS that appeared to be made out of pot metal @ $14 and a REDDING that appeared to made out of cast iron @ $22. Neither of these (particularly the RCBS) appeared to be any better quality if as good as my OHAUS. I don't mind buying another powder trickler but hate to spend the money if there is something I can do with my OHAUS to keep it from performing as described above. What you do think?
|
|
|
|
Post by jimiowa on Feb 11, 2010 23:13:36 GMT -5
I'm pretty fussy about my powder charges.
I set my measure close and triclke up to weight on every charge.
Probably over cautious, but that the way I am.
I have used H332,H335 in the .223 and Lil Gun in the Hornet.
All done with the RCBS trickler.
The RCBS may seem cheaply made( I wonderd myself) but it has worked beautifully.
It takes a bit to get it primed, but If I'm in a hurry I won't sit down at the bench.
|
|
|
|
Post by dovehunter on Feb 12, 2010 7:58:27 GMT -5
I'm pretty fussy about my powder charges. I set my measure close and triclke up to weight on every charge. Probably over cautious, but that the way I am. This is exactly what I do and that is why I am so concerned about having a powder trickler that is dependable. I may go ahead and get the RCBS trickler as long as you can confirm that yours doesn't have any problems with H-335 and H-Lil'Gun sticking to the walls and bottom of the trickler and/or apparently getting clogged up inside the metering tube. |
|
|
|
Post by jimiowa on Feb 12, 2010 9:06:24 GMT -5
Well the RCBS is working for me.
I know nothing about your Ohaus trickler.
But tricklers are so simple, I don't know what one would have to modify to make it work??
I don't know if something as simple as your wifes Static Guard would solve the problem or have a negative effect on loads??
|
|
|
|
Post by twomoons on Feb 12, 2010 9:51:21 GMT -5
You might want to check mine wouldn't work on day and I found a little spider in the tube.
|
|
|
|
Post by dovehunter on Feb 12, 2010 11:08:56 GMT -5
You might want to check mine wouldn't work on day and I found a little spider in the tube. Well that might have been the problem but that certainly wouldn't have caused (just the) Hodgdon powders to stick to the sides of the trickler. I am wondering if the cold and/or possibly humidity has anything to do with it. I keep my loading stuff out in the garage and you know how cold and snowy it's been around here for the last month or so. I shot compressed air up through the tube and that didn't help with the powder granules moving (or in this case not moving) along the internal threads. I guess I'll try the RCBS Trickler. $14 certainly shouldn't break the bank and, who knows, it may cure the problem. |
|
|
|
Post by Jack on Feb 12, 2010 11:46:03 GMT -5
I really don't know what to tell you, Dovehunter. I've used the same trickler for 40 years now- I'm not even sure who's it is, but it's green, so probably RCBS or Redding. I've never had the problem you describe, and I've used 335, and a ton of other powders. My reloading stuff stays in an unheated basement room, so it gets plenty of cold/ warm/ cold, too.
Maybe rinse the trickler out with some acetone?
|
|
|
|
Post by jmarriott on Feb 12, 2010 15:51:08 GMT -5
Winter heat means static electricity. Rub feet on carpet and touch the wife and see if you get a spark. ( after all it is nearly val day) If so put on a pot of water and get some humidity in the air or the fabric softener sheets as described in above post. I could be these powders are more static sensitive. My fish tanks lose water in the winter are an alarming rate but the house stay humid.
|
|
|
|
Post by klsm54 on Feb 12, 2010 21:40:15 GMT -5
Bought my one and only trickler in 1969, an RCBS if I'm not mistaken. It's has some diecast material for the body with an aluminum tube. Never gave me any trouble.
Considering that there is nothing to technical about a threaded tube I would clean it good and control static.
|
|
|
|
Post by twomoons on Feb 15, 2010 12:44:00 GMT -5
If it is static wash the trickler in Joy and rinse with cold water and dry real good. That will take oout the static.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Feb 16, 2010 9:30:06 GMT -5
I just went and bought a RCBS Chargemaster and all my headaches went away.  |
|
|
|
Post by dovehunter on Feb 16, 2010 19:38:47 GMT -5
What is an RCBS Chargemaster?  |
|
|
|
Post by twomoons on Feb 16, 2010 22:14:58 GMT -5
Thats a fancy electronic powder measuring device that none of us peon can afford. It dumps your powder charge each time to like a hundreth of a grain. Way more hight teck than the scoop I just made for reloading 38-55's.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bill on Feb 17, 2010 9:53:42 GMT -5
Once you have your load selected all you do is hit enter and it dispenses out your powder into a pan. You dump it into the case and put the pan back on the scale and hit enter and while your seating your bullet and putting it into the box it dispenses out another load. Very cool.  Now when I'm loading my 10,000 rounds of .223 or the 1500 rounds of .308 I don't get eye strain from watching the lines on the scale. The Prairie dogs better be watching out this year. |
|
