How to Clean a Handheld Powder Dispenser and Charging Box

Leftover powder in a hopper can ruin your next charge if you aren't careful, or worse, cause static sparks. This guide tells you exactly how to strip, clean, and reassemble a handheld dispenser or charging box safely.

What you need to clean your dispenser

Before you touch the measure, set up a static-free workspace. Powder is light and flammable; loose grains on a metal table can create a shock hazard. The other half of this decision is raising your press height.

You don’t need a full gun cleaning kit for a powder measure. In fact, most of those items will ruin your work. You only need a few specific tools to keep your charges accurate.

• Soft-bristled brush: A dedicated cleaning brush is better than a toothbrush. It won’t shed fibers into your powder. Look for a brush with a handle that reaches the bottom of the hopper.
• Cotton swabs: Use the smallest tip that fits. You need to get into the measure’s bore without clogging it.
• Compressed air or a bellows: For blowing out loose grains after brushing. Do not use strong compressed air cans, as they can be hard to control.
• Disassemble the measure: Have the tool to separate the hopper from the measure, usually a small screwdriver or just your hands.

If your measure has a clear plastic body, you don’t need to wipe the outside unless it’s sticky. Focus on the internal bore, where the powder actually travels.

Disassemble the measure from the hopper

Start by separating the components. You cannot clean the bore of the measure while it is attached to the charging box. If you try to clean it assembled, you will push powder deeper into the mechanism.

1. Remove the hopper from the measure by unscrewing or twisting the coupling. Most handheld dispensers, like the Hornady Lock-N-Load or Frankford Arsenal models, use a quick-twist mechanism.
2. If your measure has a cap on top, remove it to allow the brush to pass through.
3. Lay the measure on a flat, stable surface, preferably a padded cloth.

Keep the hopper away from the measure while you work. Do not place the empty measure on top of a full box of unused powder. Gravity will do the rest if a grain slips out.

Brush and swab the measure's bore

This is where you remove the settled powder that causes variance. Settled powder in the bottom of the hopper is heavier than fresh powder, leading to heavy charges. If that sounds like your bench, read up on hornady lock and load dispenser next.

1. Insert the soft brush into the measure’s bore.
2. Rotate it gently to loosen packed powder. Use short strokes, not long whipping motions.
3. Use a clean swab to wipe the bore, starting from the back and moving forward.
4. Do not use the same swab twice. A used swab pushes old powder back against the walls.

If you hear grinding, there is still settled powder. Do not force it. Use the bellows to blow out the debris. If the brush sticks, stop and clean the bore with a fresh swab first.

Clean the charging box exterior

The box itself (the hopper) usually only needs a wipe. The powder stays contained, so liquid cleaners are safe here as long as they don’t leak in. Be careful with the threads where the hopper screws onto the measure.

• Use a clean, dry rag to wipe the outside of the box.
• Check the screw or twist-lock for grit. Grit in the threads makes the hopper hard to remove next time.
• Wipe the interface where the measure connects to the box. This is where static build-up is commonest.

If you use a dedicated solvent for the exterior, make sure the box is completely closed and the threads are sealed before you spray it. Do not let liquid run down into the open bore of the measure.

Common mistakes that ruin accuracy

Most loaders lose charge consistency because of sloppy cleaning habits. These are the errors that creep in during a long reloading session.

• Using wet swabs: This leaves liquid residue. Always use a dry swab. If the swab is damp, it will wet the powder and change its flow.
• Cleaning one measure for multiple powders: This causes cross-contamination. Use a separate brush for each powder if you switch often. A trace of IMR 4831 left in a measure used for Varget can cause lot-to-lot variance.
• Forcing the brush: This can strip the internal threads of the measure. If it’s stuck, let the bellows do the work. Do not use metal implements.

If you are moving to a new powder, you must flush the entire line. Run the new powder through the measure and let it discharge into a safe container for the first few shots. Loaders in this spot often ask about case head defects as well.

The bottom line

Frequently asked questions