Lee Auto-Drum: Good call!

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WrongHanded

WrongHanded

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Thanks to @ATLDave and his suggestion to add one of these and speed up my reloading process, I've just set up an Auto-Drum on my LCT. And it's obvious why he suggested it. Much faster, much smoother.

1535216365160-517374447.jpg

I'll now just use the RCBS for the .45-70, and any very precise loading that I may do in the future.

One thing I did notice was that the addition gizmo (down-stroke verification device) to prevent double charges seemed much more likely to catch me out, and have me end up with a cartridge empty of powder. So that came off faster than it went on. I did purchase the riser, as was suggested by others. That too was a good call.

I wonder, does anyone know if the small drum can provide enough volume for full charges of A2400 in .44 mag? It would be nice to not have to switch the drums between handgun cartridges. Or perhaps that would be better, as I could leave both drums set for my two preferred loads; 5.5gr of W231 in .45acp; and 20.0gr of 2400 in .44 mag. So maybe I should be asking if the large drum can provide a small enough volume for the .44 mag load?

I'm sure I'll figure that out soon enough.
 
Yeah, I took the chain dealies off mine too, and locked the safety bar in the always on position. The drum beats the heck out of the disk, in my opinion.

I don't know if the small drum will go that high-- I doubt it, but somebody here will know for sure. All my loads are between 2 and a little over 6 grains (Titegroup, Unique, W231/HP-38).
 
I've dropped 15gr. of 2400 with the small drum, it would probably do 20. But in your situation I would swap drums. Much faster.
 
One thing I did notice was that the addition gizmo (down-stroke verification device) to prevent double charges seemed much more likely to catch me out, and have me end up with a cartridge empty of powder.
Click to expand...

Yep, me to,
I removed the downstroke device on mine after using it for about 5 minutes,
My instructions showed how to remove it, I have heard that isn't in the latest instructions.
Some people may like it but I think most everybody thinks it's a Pain.
 
Yes, the auto drum really works great just make sure when you change drums you get all the powder grains out of that little channel or it can leak. Don’t ask me how I know

I love mine and bought more drums from Titan reloading to go with it.
 
Dudedog said:
Yep, me to,
I removed the downstroke device on mine after using it for about 5 minutes,
My instructions showed how to remove it, I have heard that isn't in the latest instructions.
Some people may like it but I think most everybody thinks it's a Pain.
Click to expand...

I found it annoying as hell.
 
LOL, although it is easy to adjust the powder charge amount or change from the small to large drum I purchased 3 of the Auto Drum units. I use one with my 9mm, .40S&W and .233 REM dies sets on the LCT.

Yes, I started with the safety chain, it didn't stay installed but 5 minutes.
 
With the Lee Classic Turret Press, I have one turret for each handgun caliber I reload (357, 9mm, 44 mag, 45 ACP). I splurged and bought one Auto Drum for each. I could swear that the last one I bought came with the chain driven powder thingie uninstalled. I took it off every single one. With Auto Indexing, I don't see a need and when I tried it out, it was a PITA! Caliber changes are super fast as I don't have to move the Auto Drum from one turret to another. All I have to do is adjust for the amount of powder I want to drop, and then I'm good to go!
 
I have a Loadmaster with 10 turrets. Each turret has an Auto Drum installed. Spare drums are labeled with load info and quickly changed as needed.

Dana
 
I have dedicated drums for each load. It's real quick to just swap the drum, verify it's still set where I left it, and take off running. Lots faster than changing the setting if I want to load a different charge. The drums are so inexpensive it won't even make a dent in the wallet. I have two different loads each in 9mm, and45acp and 3 loads in .357/.38 spc. A couple extra drums are in the bin if I decide to take on a different handgun cartridge or maybe doing a a rifle load on the LCT.
A #2 pencil is ideal for writing the powder and charge on that little flat spot on the drum knob. Quick reference and verification and a repeatable, accurate charging system all in one. Collect them all!
 
splattergun said:
I have dedicated drums for each load. It's real quick to just swap the drum, verify it's still set where I left it, and take off running. Lots faster than changing the setting if I want to load a different charge. The drums are so inexpensive it won't even make a dent in the wallet. I have two different loads each in 9mm, and45acp and 3 loads in .357/.38 spc. A couple extra drums are in the bin if I decide to take on a different handgun cartridge or maybe doing a a rifle load on the LCT.
A #2 pencil is ideal for writing the powder and charge on that little flat spot on the drum knob. Quick reference and verification and a repeatable, accurate charging system all in one. Collect them all!
Click to expand...

This was going to be my question in a new post; glad I searched ;) The drum set is in my Amazon cart; just waiting for pay day.

My other question was using the Auto Drum with Trail Boss. Try as I might, I cannot get it to dispense those little donuts. I've read posts from TB users that have had success with this powder and the Lee dispenser, but I'm stumped. Any tips or advice would be most welcome. TIA!
 
Last edited:
Prior to the Lee Auto-Drum being available, I, like many of us, was using the Auto-Disk.

To assure uniform drops I found that I needed to tap it (tap-tap-tap) prior to that action. I finally had a cell phone vibrator attached to the propellant reservoir for that function.

The Auto-Drum(s) instantly made my 4 Auto-Disks obsolete.

I have found it to be a excellent upgrade. :)
 
Last edited:
GBExpat said:
I finally had a cell phone vibrator attached to the propellant reservoir for that function.
Click to expand...

Ah, American ingenuity strikes again! And yeah, the upgrade to the LCT left me with nine breech lock bushings collecting dust. I didn't want to just shelve my Challenger, so I'm using it for brass processing, and have the bench plate installed to swap presses. Figuring in the Auto Drum measure, reloading just got a whole lot more interesting. :thumbup:
 
Have the drum but still use my disk every now and then.
LNL Measure for my match loads on the LNL.
 
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