BP Loading Funnel

[kflach]

I was at Cabela's and started to buy a funnel to use to pour Holy Black into the cases (from the measuring spoon through funnel into the case). However, A). I remembered reading something about plastic and static electricity somewhere, and B. I figured I could get a "non-official" funnel at the grocery store cheaper, so I didn't.

Do I need to get a special funnel for BP? If I load the unholy powder should I use a different funnel?

[James Hunt]

Well, this topic ought to be good for about three pages.

Much evidence suggests that the whole static stuff is greatly overplayed, but there are others who will assure you that you are playing with sure death. I think the bottom line is spend a few more bucks and get yourself a brass funnel and stay out of the fray.

DGW sells one that is for screwing into and loading a flask and it is just dandy for use on a a .38-40 case or larger - and you have something for your flask.

What is funny is that Lee sells those plastic funnels for loading powder. So there I am scooping powder with my plastic scoop and then carefully pouring it into my brass funnel.

Just set your cigar aside for a moment while pouring the powder, there is some evidence that indicates a danger of ash falling into the case below. Then again the commercial hide hunters used to pour powder into their cases by the light of a camp fire. Maybe the cigar caution is overplayed also.

[Doc O]

If you don't have a funnel already, just make one out of construction paper.
Other then my 45-70 that's what I use. Works for me.

Doc

[john boy]

Do I need to get a special funnel for BP?

Kevin, the choice is up to what you feel safe using.  Here's some metal ones:
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/advanced_search_result.php?s=1&keywords=funnel

On the flip side, I only use plastic funnels (even plastic ones pouring excess BP back into the can) except the brass one on my drop tube for BPCR reloads.  Here's the latest one that I use for BPCR reloads ... http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/scales-measures/powder-pal.php

[Noz]

All evidence indicates that black powder is ignited only by heat. Static does not produce enough heat to fire it. The reason being that the powder is a very poor conductor of electricity, so the current does not flow through it and therefore does not heat it. Now if you can get your static spark hot enough to heat the material the powder is lying on then all bets are off.
I use plastic funnels.

[kflach]

Thanks all!

What's also interesting to note is that there are plastic powder flasks.

[Fairshake]

Kevin, I use the metal ones because they have a larger pour spout than the plastic ones that I have seen. Your local Hdwe store can fix you up. As has already been stated most of the static electric spark theory has been shot down. Goex ships the 25lb bag of powder in a plastic bag! And of course all Swiss,Grafs, and Schuetzen powders are sold in plastic containers. Later David

[Deadguy]

The problem with static electricity and blackpowder really isn't ignition, it's with cling.  BP tend to get attracted by static, sometimes causing it to stick to the funnel or measuring device, possibly causing inconsistent loads.  So, if you use plastic, just keep an eye on things to make sure that all the BP granules are coming off when they are supposed to.  You may have to tap them once in a while if things start to cling.

[Noz]

Deadguy, get a used dryer sheet from momma and wipe the plastic down with them. Stops most of the dreaded static cling. I say used because I tried some unused ones and the treatment on them was such that everything got sticky.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

As you noted, Kevin, the powder containers used for many BP "cans" is actually plastic.  A static FREE  type of plastic.  As is the funnels.  You'll be OK.  James H & Fairshake bring up a good point - get brass - or aluminum, copper, or ... and you won't need to argue in your own defense.

And like Deadguy mentions, the real trouble with plastic is the "cling."  The dryer sheets work well.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

To all of you static electricity experts, I would just like to state for the record that I worked in the electronics industry for almost 25 years, and took a yearly training course in ESD (electro static discharge) the real name for static electricity. I could tell you some real horror stories. For your information, the guys who operated the turrets on battleships wore special anti static suits, generating a static spark in the barbette of a battleship turret was a huge concern. Yes, almost all plastics generate a static charge, unless they are made from special static dissapative materials. Yes, this includes plastic dippers and funnels. However static charges are directly related to surface area, and dippers and funnels are too small to generate a very significant charge, certainly nothing to worry about regarding ignition of powder. I regularly use a regular little green RCBS funnel with BP, as well as a few larger plastic funnels that I bought at the supermarket. And I have a metal one that I use quite often too.

And construction paper, just like all types of paper, will generate a very nice static charge.

[Gatofeo]

"All evidence indicates that black powder is ignited only by heat. Static does not produce enough heat to fire it ..."
-- Noz

Noz, I must respectfully disagree. Black powder, even the best stuff, is dusty. Pour it from one container into another in strong sunlight and you'll see dust rise from it. That dust can be easily ignited. Graineries occasionally blow up from the ignition of wheat dust by a spark. Now, wheat is hardly flammable.
I feel that many of the inexplicable ignitions of black powder, in manufacturing, use or storage, might be best explained by its dust. It is a factor that is often overlooked.
Read, "Gunpowder -- Alchemy, Bombards & Pyrotechnics: The History of the Explosive that Changed the World," by Jack Kelly. It's a detailed history of black powder that should be read by every reloader and shooter. Kelly points out that even with today's modern scientific instruments, some aspects of black powder remain enigmatic.

As for a funnel, I have one of those little brass ones that thread into the flask. I also use it for loading my cap and ball revolvers. I use a plastic MTM powder funnel to put black powder into cases. But I keep the other loaded cases some distance away, and the can is clear across the room. Can't be too careful with the stuff; imps live in it!