I have a Redding powder measure, maybe a BR-30, that has served well for 30 years or so. Today I noticed that the powder hopper which looks like plexiglas was listing to starboard. When i tried to gently straighten it it moved very easily. It is held in a .3" deep socket at the top of the body of the measure by a small set screw on either side of the measure which lock into holes in the plastic hopper.
I emptied the measure and removed the hopper. I was surprised to see powder grains completely encrusting the bottom of the plastic hopper like tiny black bugs eating the bottom of the hopper. When I tried to scrape them off I found that they were embedded in the bottom of the hopper which was no longer plexiglass but some gummy by product of combining with something from the powder . This had destroying the bottom of the screw holes.
I assume some low molecular weight solvent from the powder softened the plastic. No I don't always empty the powder measure when I intend to load the next day.
Rotated 90 degrees and with new holes the hopper is usable. I haven't gotten in touch with Redding yet but hope to tomorrow.
Has anybody had such an event or knows exactly what happened?
John