Lee Auto Disc

[RandyP]

Be aware that the Lee VMD chart is VERY conservative - most folks find in actual use ( verified with a scale) you need to go one or two sizes larger.

Since they promised me there would be no math - lol - I have found it easiest just to make up a Word doc showing each hole size and the resultant charge of Win 231/HP-38 that it delivers, and hang it on the reloading room wall.

I use that single powder for all the handgun calibers I reload (never found a good reason to change) so the simple chart works for me. It didn't take all that much time to run thru the various disk hole combinations, do 5-10 test tared case loads on my cheapie digital scale, and record the average load thrown. For each reloading session I also test weigh the first 5 or 10 rounds and then just produce ammo on the turret, watching the load level in the case as I place each bullet.

Most all my reloads are done at the mid range of the load chart cranking out reliable, accurate plinking ammo. I do fully appreciate that a lot of reloaders seek near NASA levels of accuracy in everything and if that makes them happy? giddy-up! Me? I'm quite satisfied knowing that millions of rounds have been safely made using nothing more than the Lee dipper scoops and a whack-a-mole Lee Loader.

 

[Ghost In The Fog]

Forgot to mention. I "inherited" 2 pounds of Hi Skor 700X from a neighbor.

Is this a suitable powder for my particular setup?

I have 4 full 1 pound containers of 700X I have used for 9mm. I HATE HOW IT METERS!!!! It is fantastic powder for 9mm- besides the metering.
I too started with the Auto Disc and switched to the Auto Drum out of frustration. I have posted on here several times looking for a solution. I get variations of + or - .3 grains either way. If I am looking to measure 4.0 I get anywhere from 3.7 to 4.3. A good friend of mine swears by 700X and he says his Dillon 550 meters it perfectly.
I have switched to Ramshot Silhouette and Winchester AutoComp. Both meter perfectly out of either of the Lee powder measures. I found online that there are baffles you can put in the hopper that is supposed to take care of this. I will be trying this as a last resort before I sell the 700X to my friend. I do really like the way the powder shoots and the way it fills the case. I got really good at eyeballing the amount and knowing it was off + or -
I hope you have better luck with it than I do and wish I could be more help. My advise is to make sure you weigh all of your charges.

 

[JamieC]

For general range ammo, the auto disc will work just fine. I love the adjustable charge bar when I need/want to really dial in a load. There are a bunch of ways to modify the auto disc to get different loads, save yourself the time and just buy the adjustable charge bar. I used Bulleye, HP38 and Power Pistol in .380, 9mm and 45acp with good results.

 

[RealGun]

I have 4 full 1 pound containers of 700X I have used for 9mm. I HATE HOW IT METERS!!!! It is fantastic powder for 9mm- besides the metering.
I too started with the Auto Disc and switched to the Auto Drum out of frustration. I have posted on here several times looking for a solution. I get variations of + or - .3 grains either way. If I am looking to measure 4.0 I get anywhere from 3.7 to 4.3. A good friend of mine swears by 700X and he says his Dillon 550 meters it perfectly.
I have switched to Ramshot Silhouette and Winchester AutoComp. Both meter perfectly out of either of the Lee powder measures. I found online that there are baffles you can put in the hopper that is supposed to take care of this. I will be trying this as a last resort before I sell the 700X to my friend. I do really like the way the powder shoots and the way it fills the case. I got really good at eyeballing the amount and knowing it was off + or -
I hope you have better luck with it than I do and wish I could be more help. My advise is to make sure you weigh all of your charges.

If you are adjusting the die to reduce or eliminate expansion you may not be getting full activation of the measure, leaving a portion of the charge on the little ledge that can be created on the AutoDisk hole mating with the drop hole in the base. The AutoDrum though would be failing to fully rotate and consistently drop all of the charge. The overcharges could be caused by powder remaining from a previous cycle and kind of randomly joining the drop. Just a theory.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

700x and 800x work best on loads requiring larger charges. Hence, larger auto disk holes.. Small charges tend to not meter well.

 

[Ghost In The Fog]

If you are adjusting the die to reduce or eliminate expansion you may not be getting full activation of the measure, leaving a portion of the charge on the little ledge that can be created on the AutoDisk hole mating with the drop hole in the base. The AutoDrum though would be failing to fully rotate and consistently drop all of the charge. The overcharges could be caused by powder remaining from a previous cycle and kind of randomly joining the drop. Just a theory.

Thanks @RealGun I appreciate the idea. I no longer use the Auto Disk and only use the Auto Drum. I have loaded well over 7,000 rounds with the Auto Drum using AutoComp or Silhouette and get great consistency. I have also watched the videos on how to adjust the Auto Drum so it rotates fully with each pull. I would agree that if I was only getting charges on the high side that this could be a part of the problem but that does not explain the low charges. I am open to any and all ideas or suggestions. It is very frustrating, I like the way 700X shoots and I called Lee and I was told that sometimes powders measure differently. That would match others here that have had the same complaints about powders like the 700X. Ideally it was designed for shotguns but works well in pistol applications as well. I guess if you are metering for large charges for shotguns it might be better in the Auto Disc/Drum.
Thank you for your comment.