Cleaning powder measure

[vinny_land]

Still new to the game and I recently bought a used RCBS uniflow powder measure from a fellow Calgunner. Seems to work perfectly, meaning there isnt any snags but has your common signs of usage (fews scratches, chipped paint). That doesn't bother me one bit, but like everything I buy, I want to break it down and clean. So I was wondering what is the best cleaners to use? I figured brake cleaner would be a safe bet but what about lube? I know the rotating cylinder will need some.

[bumpo628]

A dry lubricant like graphite might be better so it doesn't gum up the works.

[vinny_land]

^thanks...any graphite lube or should I just stick with reloading brands like Hornady OneShot?

[Bigdaa]

With respect, bump.............................................. ..................

Seriously rethink any lubricant!


I have a Uniflow. I've been using it for 20 or so years. Sure it has use marks all over it. I live in a coastal city and NEVER USE ANY LUBRICANT WHATSOEVER!

I use alcohol to clean the parts, that's all. Then I wiper the parts dry and free of residue. I always store the unused cylinder in a couple sheets of paper towel inside the box it came in.


I just used it yesterday. I had to swap charge cylinders from large to small. I did the wipedown and wrapped the cylinder for storage as usual.

I took the bare body and cleaned it out with a dry paper towel of the previous powder residue.

Unit good to go. Qty 100 .44 Special. 13 gr AA No. 9, 200 gr Hornady XTP's


Happy powder charging.

[BigBronco]

I use Hornady one shot dry lube on mine.

[bumpo628]

^thanks...any graphite lube or should I just stick with reloading brands like Hornady OneShot?

You should try it clean and dry w/o lubricant first, as Bigdaa said.
If it needs it, just get a little tube of powdered graphite at home depot and use it sparingly.

[vinny_land]

thanks guys, sorry but im new to reloading. just want to learn the right way to do things.

[Fyathyrio]

Brake cleaner may harm the plastic parts also...I blow the parts off with compressed air and use Hornady One Shot to preserve/protect.

[Low-Pressure]

I have a Hornady powder measure, when I first got it it was not throwing in consistent amount of powder. After re-reading the manual, I learned that it should be oil free, so I cleaned it with alcohol and dried it with a clean rag. When I store it I do the bare metals will hoppes gun oil to prevent rust and just clean it again when I'm about to use it.

[FLIGHT762]

Brake cleaner may harm the plastic parts also...I blow the parts off with compressed air and use Hornady One Shot to preserve/protect.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Brake cleaner will melt the plastic hopper. I use rags with 91% rubbing alcohol on the hopper and on the metal parts, alcohol and OOOO steel wool to clean off any corrosion or gunk. If you're going to lube it, use a dry lubricant.

[17+1]

A dry lubricant like graphite might be better so it doesn't gum up the works.

I was under the impression that the powder had a bit of graphite/dry lube in it...

Low-pressure; you should run a full hopper of powder through first. Will become consistent once the internals are coated.

[Low-Pressure]

Low-pressure; you should run a full hopper of powder through first. Will become consistent once the internals are coated.

This was last year, and I always fill the hopper as much as I can to get a consistent throw. When it was new, I found out the metal parts had oil on it and the powders when sticking to it. It now throw a consistent charge and I'm happy

[Chief-7700]

I was under the impression that the powder had a bit of graphite/dry lube in it...

Low-pressure; you should run a full hopper of powder through first. Will become consistent once the internals are coated.

We have a winner here! Do not put lube anywhere it MAY come in contact with
powder.

[chim-chim7]

Break cleaner will swell any rubber seals and ruin the plastic hopper. Its basically the worst thing to use. Tear it down and clean the parts with alcohol then reassemble. Lube will cause things to stick to it. They are made to run completely dry.

[vinny_land]

Now Im confused as ever. I understand oil is a no-no, but leaving a film of dry lube? I decided to clean it today and just wipe any oil residue that was left from the original owner. Nothing special just a rag to wipe any gunk built up inside. Used my handgun cleaning rod and a brush and ran it through the drop tube. Now for the part that worries me is the measuring cylinder. Do I put dry lube it? Moving parts right?