lee auto disc powder measure

[remmag]

hey guys
started loading somes 357 rounds , using a lee auto disc with a lee adjustable charge bar, while checking i noticed i was getting some inconsistant charges, was trying for 6.7 grains and had fluctuations of .3 grains
i have been loading with this for 45 apc and it was cosistant there (5.4 grains) i moved it back to that and it was consistant
any ideas, are the lee PRO auto disc powder measures more consistant across the board
thanks in advance

 

[ljnowell]

I dont think the pro is any more accurate. What kind of powder are you using? That can sometimes make a difference. Some powders meter better at different charge weights. I have found that with 700x if I tap the measure twice, not once or three times, but twice, the powder settles and the charge weight is dead on.

 

[LiveLife]

I found the auto disk very consistent with often less than 1/10 grain variation using smaller powder like W231/WSF/bullseye.

With the adjustable charge bar, my experience has varied. It gets more variation than auto disk (2-3/10 grain) with smaller powder and I do not use it for larger flake powder because the charge variation is too great (3-5+/10 grain).

FYI, I use auto disk for all of my match loads - very consistent charge to charge and no flyers.

Maybe someone has fix/mod for the adjustable charge bar.

Pro model simply uses a spring to pull back the charge disk/bar instead of the chain actuated by your ram lever. Should have no difference as long as you make sure your chain is tight to pull back the disk/bar fully (properly adjusted chain should be tight with slight depression of the spring when ram lever is brought up - yes, you DO need the spring below the shell carrier hole).

 

[remmag]

i am using unique, also it is cold (35 degrees ) in my garage.
maybe the cold is affecting it at the larger charge

 

[wally]

I've never been happy with the adjustable charge bar and Unique.

The powder measuing mechanics are the same for the standard and "Pro" auto disks.

--wally.

 

[LiveLife]

Oh my, been there and done that - I built a smaller (2'x3') castered reloading bench I use to reload indoors warm and toasty while watching TV. Maybe it's your shaking hands from the cold ... jk.

As to powder, inspect it closely to see if there is any clumping. If the powder flows freely, 3/10 grain variation is expected from the adjustable charge bar from my experience.

Be sure that you are pulling back fully on the charge bar/disk so the powder fills the charge bar.

If all else fails, use the auto disk for more consistent charge.

 

[remmag]

i am thinking of doing the same , i have checked all that you suggested, guess i will use the disc,
thanks a lot

 

[ants]

The advice I offer:

I've never had three tenths variation with the adjustable disk, with any powder. I get less than a half tenth. I don't believe it's fair to instruct that 3/10 is to be expected.

• Make sure everything is installed and adjusted correctly. This probably covers half the reported problems.
• Do not short stroke.
• Make sure your powder is in good condition.
• Coat all interior surfaces everywhere with powdered graphite. Liberally. Twice as much as you think.
• Use a baffle in the hopper. We have several threads on hopper baffles.
• If your powder is hard to meter, gently tap the side of the unit while the cavity is filling. It seems annoying to stop and do that, but it makes difficult powders fill the cavity with repeatable results.
• Make sure the cavity of the adjustable charge bar is centered under the hopper hole while filling. This probably covers the other half of reported problems. If the cavity isn't centered, it won't fill reliably.

 

[LiveLife]

It's based on my personal experience using new powder (W231/HP38) with well lubricated components. Powder charges were verified by three different scales (manual and electronic).

For me, large flake powders do not meter well enough for my purpose (range practice/match shooting) using the adjustable charge bar - However, charge variance using the auto disk is good enough for me (1-3/10 grain) for range practice, but not for match shooting.

Larger charges (5-6gr) do better, but smaller charges below 5gr I have problems with. I haven't tried the baffle in the hopper, and will try that.

But for someone NEW to reloading, I would advise against using the adjustable charge bar due to variables you must consider.

- Use a baffle in the hopper.
- If your powder is hard to meter, gently tap the side of the unit while the cavity is filling.
- Make sure the cavity of the adjustable charge bar is centered under the hopper hole while filling. This probably explains 90% of the problems experienced by 90% of unhappy users. If the cavity isn't centered, it won't fill reliably.

 

[remmag]

ants
this is the first time i have heard of lubing with grafite, or a baffle in the hopper
as far as the lubing. do i apply in the hopper and in the adj. charge bar
also i do not know how to look up past threads on the site. can you please explain the baffle or direct me to the thread
thanks alot, everyone

 

[jfh]

FWIW, my experence is like ants--that is,

I've NEVER fluctuations of .3 grain with any of the powders I load. That includes the Vihtavuori short-cut extruded powders, typical ball / flattened ball powders--but not Unique. I tried Unique; I got did get some fluctuation, which was resolved by finger-tapping the hopper during the charge--three firm taps. So, I dropped Unique; I have other powders that are less a PITA and work better in my applications.

And, I always use the Adjustable Charge Bar--never use the disks anymore. Is the bar installed correctly--with the lever in the slot, and not a cavity?

There can be some hardware issues causing this, however: Is the...

• hopper tightened down too tight?
• hopper / elastomer wiper worn out?
• ACB worn?
• Auto Disk (Pro or otherwise) base clean?
• PTED clean, adjusted properly, and operating consistently?

Personally, I'd start by going through the list in its order--although, if the measure is not clean, you might want to start there.

Added on edit: remmag--it's powdered graphite--the kind typically sold in hardware stores for dry-lubing locks. Squeeze / 'spray' it on the surfaces, including from inside the hopper.

As for searching--in the upper-right area of the forum bar, you will see a tab that has 'search this forum,' or 'search this thread', depending on just where you are in the forum. The directions are fairly self explanatory. Personally, I prefer to use Google--which I have added to my browser. I run google, entering the search phrase and then selecting 'search this site', not search the internet. FWIW, the Site search does not work real well, despite determined efforts by the SysAdmin--seems to be a problem inherent in the (vBulletin) software. Google works better.

Jim H.

 

[remmag]

thanks alot, great responce , i will check all

 

[GP100man]

I put the graphite on a fluffy rag & shake it to disperse it on to the hoppers .

I have put a little in the can of 800x & then pour it in the hopper.

 

[Seedtick]

The first thing I do before adding powder to the hopper is to wipe it down with a used dryer sheet. I also spray some "Static Guard" on the dryer sheet and let it dry for a few seconds. Getting rid of the static electricity seems to really help get consistent throws.

Then I dump a couple of tablespoons of powdered graphite into the hopper. I put the lid back on the hopper and rotate it several times to coat the inside good. Next I run enough of the graphite through the flare and charge die to get all the innards covered good.

This has really helped me good consistency with the auto disc measure and the adjustable charge bar.

ST

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It's not the tools which are failing you it's the powder. Unique is notorious for inconsistent charge weights in many different powder measures. It just doesn't meter well at all and you are compounding the problem with the Adjustable Charge Bar. With the adjustable charge bar the fill hole is oblong making it hard to fill with flake powders and the hole doesn't sit directly under the hole in the powder hopper making it even worse. I would suggest using the disks with Unique or better yet, change powders. Universal is very similar to Unique but it meters better and it's cleaner. W231/HP-38 is also a good powder especially for the .45 Auto and it meters very well too.

 

[remmag]

thanks everyone , i will try these suggestions
you guys are great help