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Powder Measure Jam
v35
Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
Yesterday, while loading 9mm and 32L with Unique the powder stopped filling or became intermittent.
I attributed it to leaving powder in the hopper for a week or two
with the powder clotting due to humidity.
That turned out NOT to be the case.
A tiny piece of container seal had fallen into the powder, bridging the spout way down, causing partial or complete stoppage.
Container seals don't come off cleanly.
This may have explained some recent range issues.
Cutting the container seal carefully isn't enough.
It's a bit messy but I'm going to dump and inspect all my powders.
I attributed it to leaving powder in the hopper for a week or two
with the powder clotting due to humidity.
That turned out NOT to be the case.
A tiny piece of container seal had fallen into the powder, bridging the spout way down, causing partial or complete stoppage.
Container seals don't come off cleanly.
This may have explained some recent range issues.
Cutting the container seal carefully isn't enough.
It's a bit messy but I'm going to dump and inspect all my powders.
Comments
A range rod and mallet isn't a bad idea to take to the range.
Excluding my own experiences, I've witnessed at least six instances of centerfire duds.
22LR duds are more commonplace.
IF YOU SEE SMALL DOTS OF GREEN MIXED IN WITH THE GREY POWDER.
then the priming compound has broken away from the case rim . Now look in with good light from the case mouth and look at priming compound.
are there any voids . [?] if you do not find any primer intermixed in the power then still look in the case mouth and look for voids in the primer it should be in all 360 degrees of the rim. if not problem was in the manufacturing process. Then take two boxes of ammo from same lot number take one in the palm of your hand and holding it only 6 inches above a table Smack that box onto the table THINK Delivery Truck driver I bet you a beer the box you smacked fro just 6 inches will have MANY MANY MORE duds than the other box.
I'm inclined to point the finger at manufacturing cost cutting.
In examining range duds, I see way too many light hammer strikes.
We at least have control over these FTFs.
As you say priming compound may have less adhesion to 22 cases
perhaps due to case cleaning. Rough handling during bulk packaging may also be an issue.
I've heard of factory tumbling of loaded rounds but I'm not in favor of it for my handloads.
Most all dud 22 I looked at had priming issues either flaked away or completely missing, the erratic squib rounds I suspect of poor powder dispensing.