Star Reloader powder reservoir

We have all been told to empty the powder tubes on our reloaders when finished reloading.  What is the proper way to empty the powder tube on a Star machine. Unscrewing the tube just empties powder all over the machine? Dismount the whole machine from its table and turn the whole thing upside down?
Enquiring minds want to know.

I've never emptied powder hoppers between reloading sessions. Only thing is that it will discolor acrylic hoppers over time some.

It’s a mess, no trick to it that I’ve found. Ninja reflexes and a Tupperware container is what I do.

Greetings,

First, contact Bruce Williams at Star Machine and ask if he has any powder hoppers with the shutoff bar.

Meantime, unhook the heavy spring at the rear of the machine. Then, remove the 3/8" pin that connects the links to the tool head. Now, tap out the taper pin and remove the head and link arms.

Lift the head and powder measure off and empty the hopper.

Some powders will eat the plastic hopper and the chemical reaction causes "clumps" of powder. Not good when the "clump" works it's way down and blocks the drain hole.

I recall reading that unscrewing the hopper and carefully slipping a business card under the spout is another way to empty the hopper. Yes, there will be some slight spillage; but, powder is cheap.

Cheers,

Dave

This is how I've always done it............

Ric

I recall reading that unscrewing the hopper and carefully slipping a business card under the spout is another way to empty the hopper. Yes, there will be some slight spillage; but, powder is cheap.

Sounds like there really isn't a good way to empty the hopper. And, powder isn't cheap where I live. Going for about $60 a pound at the LGS.

ric1911a1 wrote:This is how I've always done it............

Ric

I recall reading that unscrewing the hopper and carefully slipping a business card under the spout is another way to empty the hopper. Yes, there will be some slight spillage; but, powder is cheap.

Used to be cheep !!

It's usually recommended to not unscrew the powder hopper more than necessary. The threads are fine and easily cross threaded. The procedure Dave outlined is the correct one. Honestly, once you do it a time or two, it's not difficult at all. Takes me all of 30 seconds.

Dave

Edit: I forgot, if you have the Hulme case feeder and the Lee setup, there's a couple extra steps. Still not too difficult. I honestly just leave powder in the hopper.

I left some Bullseye powder in a Lyman 55 measure for a short time, no more than a couple weeks. It literally ate the hopper up so bad that I had to replace it.
On previous loading sessions, I have left Bullseye in Dillon powder measures ( for months ) with no ill effects what so ever. Made out of different stuff I guess.
I am trying to be more careful now with the powder measures.

Contact these folks. I have some reservoirs from them and they’re good quality.  They’re made from Pyrex tube and are inert to powders.

https://dramworx.com/

ric1911a1 wrote:This is how I've always done it............

Ric

I recall reading that unscrewing the hopper and carefully slipping a business card under the spout is another way to empty the hopper. Yes, there will be some slight spillage; but, powder is cheap.

I didn’t mention the business card method - tried it but my coordination was lacking.  Will try Dave’s other method and also email Bruce. Didn’t realize he made something like that.

Greetings,

I just recalled having a Powder Measure that was "attacked" by an unknown powder.

I have seen similar damage to Lyman and RCBS measures.

Thinking back, Unique powder was the worst offender.

The glass tubes are interesting. Phelps loaders had glass tubes at one time.

The material used for the tubes is PolyCarbonate. I was told that clear PVC is also a possible choice.

Cheers,

Dave

I have a powder measure tube that looks similar. Came on the press that way when I got it.
Jon

These are the instructions I include with all of the reloaders I sell.   It's good to see that at least some have read them.

To empty the powder magazine, I remove the tool head, flip it over and dump it back into the powder container, then I turn it right side up and flick the powder slide with my finger a couple of times to make sure that and powder caught in the baffle area of the powder magazine is removed, a funnel comes in very handy.    Your thinking, boy that sounds like a lot of work, but really, it’s not.  It takes 30 Seconds Tops!
·       The first trick is to use a hitch pin instead of a standard cotter pin on the lower link pin to speed disassembly.                    
·       To empty the powder magazine…..
o   Rotate the shell plate slightly so the dowel pin can rest on the shell plate, then unhook the tool head spring from the spring anchor hook and let the Dowel Pin rest on the shell plate.
o   Pop out the taper pin, pull the hitch pin and remove the lower link pin.  
o   Then lift off the crank shaft assembly and tool head and empty the powder magazine as directed above.

And...if you do have a deformed or severely discolored powder magazine tube, I can rebuild your powder magazine


Bruce Williams

Oh, by the way,    while you have the tool head and crank shaft assembly off the machine, take a moment to wipe the column clean, apply some light oil to the column and a bit of Teflon grease to the keyway.

Bruce Williams

Thanks, Bruce. Any chance there’s a YouTube video to follow along? Like my favorite books: few words, lots of pictures!