clumped powder from redding measure

[dinnerplate]

what do you do about clumped powder out of a powder measure, and will it fire ok anyway?

i just got my redding model 3 powder measure today, and tried it out. it seems to be pretty accurate when it comes to measuring rifle charges (24-26 grains), but when i try to reload for my 9mm (4.2-4.6 grains), the powder comes out all clumped together. there's much more resistance when moving the handle up and down with the lower charges too. i assume it's the powder shearing. it's usually still right around those grains, but the clumping can't be a good thing, right? look below:



there's usually just one clump per charge. is there any way to get rid of this? or will this just fire no problem anyway?

[Chief-7700]

What powder are you using for 9mm?

[dinnerplate]

i'm using bullseye powder. i heard it was pretty fine stuff.

[Chief-7700]

Do you have the right drum installed? Just guessing here.

[dinnerplate]

i've installed only the parts that came with the powder measure. as far as i know, there's only one drum.

[Chief-7700]

To be on the safe side I would call Redding tech support. This one has me stumped.

[Chief-7700]

http://www.redding-reloading.com/contact-redding-reloading

[dinnerplate]

thanks. i'll be giving them a call, and report back what i find. this doesn't seem to be a very common issue, as far as i can tell.

[anyracoon]

Could be a static problem. Wipe down inside of powder tube and the outside with a anti-static dryer sheet. If you pour powder out in a small container does it clump/stick together?

[Fyathyrio]

1st thought, it's brand new...did you clean it before use?

2nd thought, does Redding make separate pistol and rifle inserts for their powder measures? My Hornady has a large diameter one for rifle, and small for pistol. The pistol drum has a hole and matching insert of about 1/4" dia, while the rifle is about 1/2".

[dinnerplate]

well gents, i put in a call to redding, and the helpful people there solved my little problem for me. as you guys had mentioned, it was a problem with the diameter of the powder meter. the measure only came with one, which is most effective for 10-100 grains. it will do 5-10 grains, but not so easily. for less than 10, i needed to get a smaller meter.

so i got it, and problem is hopefully solved. it makes sense, since the meter that came with it is so wide. it would literally only be filled up about .2 inches with powder, and that's why the powder flakes were compressing together.

[EBR Works]

Was there any residual lubrication in the measure from the manufacturing process? Every measure I have owned had to be degreased and then a little graphite powder run through the mechanism before use.

[dinnerplate]

good point. fortunately, redding put a gigantic note inside that said it needs to be degreased. followed the instructions, as best as i could, anyway. the graphite powder is a good idea. i'll do that on the handgun meter that's coming. thanks for the help, fellas.