powder drop tubes

[cjmac]

Anyone make there own drop tube for 223 and 308 ? What kind of material would be best? Was thinking brass or copper , about a foot tall. And using a flaring tool on the one end. The real questing is what size tube to use roe 223 and 308

 

[cjmac]

Oh... sounds like did this once

 

[amlevin]

I built one using an old Lee powder funnel and a short piece of steel Brake Line purchased from a local auto parts store. Was about 8" long but you can "make" any length you want with a hacksaw. I cut one flared end off and tossed the flare nuts away. Using some J-B Weld I epoxied the cut end into the funnel.

I picked a piece of tubing that was slightly smaller in diameter than the case mouth. When the case is centered in the flare the powder drops into the case without building up on the case "lip".

It can also be epoxied into the short plastic drop tube that comes with powder dispensers but I just clamp mine to the edge of the bench. One hand holds the case, the other pours the powder.

 

[jonbearman]

The drop tube parts from sinclair are clear and the adaptors are cheap and it isnt worth making a tube that could cause a squib load or something.

 

[CJ6]

The drop tube parts from sinclair are clear and the adaptors are cheap and it isnt worth making a tube that could cause a squib load or something.

+1

 

[amlevin]

The drop tube parts from sinclair are clear and the adaptors are cheap and it isnt worth making a tube that could cause a squib load or something.

You're right, the Sinclair tubes are nice. They are also "a week away" and if one wants a drop tube in a hurry there's nothing wrong with building one. Doesn't everyone LOOK in the charged case to make sure they won't have a squib load? In not, perhaps they overlooked that part of the loading manual.

Squib loads are usually caused by "People", not the equipment.

 

[artbosco]

Anyone make there own drop tube for 223 and 308 ? What kind of material would be best? Was thinking brass or copper , about a foot tall. And using a flaring tool on the one end. The real questing is what size tube to use roe 223 and 308

No need to make one. Purchase one of these in the 10" version: http://www.21stcenturyshooting.com/Powder_Funnel.php

Tell John you want the adapter that will fit both cartridges.

 

[rmist]

+1 for 21st... I prefer the 6" tube instead of the 10"... but it's a preference you have to make. I like the way it stands up by itself when on a case.

 

[artbosco]

The trouble with the ones that stand up by themselves is that you need a different one for each caliber. He has or had two universals that pop on and off of the tube that cover a variety of calibers. At least he did, when we originally collaborated on the idea, way back when. I have them, and although you have to hold the tube, it's great insurance against spilling powder over a large radius that a long tube would create if it were to fall off the case neck.