Bud Hyett
posted this
15 December 2019
Vintage Ideal #5 powder measure rotors are solid brass. Any measure part that touches the black powder is brass. The brass prevents sparks which will ignite the black powder. A spark within the measure is the primary safety consideration. The brass also offers a pathway for the static charge to move away into the iron body. Note: This measure is a challenge to use because the black powder residue will corrode the brass rotor; you must tear it down and wipe all parts clean after use.
The question is the safe static discharge when using a measure by grounding the measure. The buildup of a charge is possible even with two similar metals. A person can load for years without a problem, but why chance the possibility. Given that, I still wire the Ideal #5 measure to a ground to pull the static electricity.
Some people will play Russian Roulette with a sub-machine gun because they love taking chances, not me. Wiring the measure to a ground only takes a little longer.
Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest