Ever find your propellant clinging to the walls of a hull?

This is invisible static electricity. Dry air creates a good backdrop for the production and maintenance of static electricity. (Ionized electrons.)

In dry air we will have ionized particles. The hull, being a metal and plastic device, is a near perfect galvanic (static) electricity storage device. The propellant granules react to the invisible lines of force (static charge). The propellant granules then assume new positions to the sides of the hull and defy the general laws of gravity. Some propellants are more prone to static electricity disturbance (ionization) than others. What does Curmudgeon do about this problem?

By grounding both the propellant and the hulls "bleeds" away the static (ionized) charge.

The reloader can quickly remove this problem. A small aluminum tray and an insulated wire with alligator clips will do the task. Aluminum because you want to use a metal that will not spark. Any kitchen supply store will have a selection of trays. A tray can be formed in a minute by using heavy aluminum kitchen foil. The wire is attached to the tray on one end and to an electrical GROUND on the other. Perhaps a link to a water pipe. Make sure no other electrical power contacts are made between you and the electrical ground. We are dealing with static electricity here and not household power.

Taming the hull alone may reduce the static electricity "cling" into a working arrangement. The metal hull base must come into contact with the aluminum tray before attempting to load. As the metal based plastic hull is a perfect static electricity storage unit. More often, the propellant will also require the same grounding action to remove the static (ionization) charge. Take a small amount of propellant and place it in the metal tray. Every particle needs contact with the aluminum to remove ionization. Move the propellant about. You may now load a few shells without the detriment of static electricity. But only a small number of loads. Ionization tends to creep back.

Curmudgeon is experimenting with the grounding of the propellant drop tube. This is a bit more tricky.