H4350 metering difficulty

[CaptJim]

It’s been a couple years since I used this powder. I loaded it using my old Redding 3BR measure and though it wasn’t smooth like 335 etc. there was no problem throwing a light load and trickling up to the desired weight.

Fast forward to today; I poured 4350 into the hopper of the 3BR and tried to throw a charge. NO-GO it was like i had gravel in the measure. I tried several times and did finally cut the kernels and get a little to go through but not a full stroke. This took way more pressure on the handle than I have ever experienced.

I disassembled the measure, all OK and clean. The powder flowed normally when pouring into and out of the hopper.
This powder is not new, it might be 6 or 7 years old. Could the kernels have gotten so hard that the measure won’t cut them?? I have used other older stick powder before and all metered and shot normally.

My reloading is done in a non air conditioned shed. heated above freezing in winter but no AC in summer. I just have never experienced this level of “crunchiness” with a stick powder, and am wondering if anyone here has had a similar experience; and maybe ideas for preventing this.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Big Mc]

It’s been a couple years since I used this powder. I loaded it using my old Redding 3BR measure and though it wasn’t smooth like 335 etc. there was no problem throwing a light load and trickling up to the desired weight.

Fast forward to today; I poured 4350 into the hopper of the 3BR and tried to throw a charge. NO-GO it was like i had gravel in the measure. I tried several times and did finally cut the kernels and get a little to go through but not a full stroke. This took way more pressure on the handle than I have ever experienced.

I disassembled the measure, all OK and clean. The powder flowed normally when pouring into and out of the hopper.
This powder is not new, it might be 6 or 7 years old. Could the kernels have gotten so hard that the measure won’t cut them?? I have used other older stick powder before and all metered and shot normally.

My reloading is done in a non air conditioned shed. heated above freezing in winter but no AC in summer. I just have never experienced this level of “crunchiness” with a stick powder, and am wondering if anyone here has had a similar experience; and maybe ideas for preventing this.
Thanks,
Jim

Was the powder kept in the shed ?

 

[CaptJim]

Yes. All my powder has been in an outdoor shed for years. Have never had a problem.

BUT!!
I found the problem and it was user error! I knew I wasn’t going to use this measure for a while, so I had disassembled it some months ago and cleaned it up. I didn’t notice when I tried to run a test throw through it that the mike was set to a very low setting. It aparrently could not deliver that small a volume so just jammed.
I just opened the mike to the desired 34gr and it acted normally, crunching a few kernels on the upstroke and delivering the correct charge.

I feel like a dummy, thinking it would deliver powder with the mike at such a small opening.

Live and learn,
Jim

 

[SKWERLZ]

Can relate