pulling bullets and dumping powder...kernals left in case...BEWARE

[lpreddick]

i solved another shooting "abnormality". i'll on occasion either pull bullets, dump the powder and reload with the same powder or a different one. if my electronic scale is drifting, i'll dump that charge, adjust the scale and measure another charge and load. on occ i was getting strange velocities not consistent with the .2 gr increases. one day after dumping a charge i noted powder kernals just inside the neck...some lube not removed. inspection of the case revealed more kernals in the case body! i dumped a few charges as a test and JUST LOOK AT THAT! kernals is most of them. i have been augmenting loads without realizing all dumped powder wasn't dumped! i now insert the nozzel of my air compressor and BLOW the case clean. large cases with slow powders probably not a prob but the BRS and 223 cases,etc will misbehave if just a few kernals remain.

 

[jlow]

I have seen this many times. It's problematic especially when you have compressed loads. The most fool proof method is the compress air method, the other is to look inside the case. The second method works best when you have SS media cleaned cases.

 

[gotcha]

Powder kernels sticking to inside of case can also be due to static electricity. Just like the floating kernels you see in a brass powder pan. Either way compressed air will do the trick.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I use a cotton bud to dislodge any kernels that have decided they don't want to be recycled.

Regards

JCS

 

[amlevin]

A real simple method to alleviate this is to give the case mouth a rap on flat surface. the inside of a powder bottle cap is great. Never had any stick after this encouragement.