Lee Auto Disk Riser required with Rifle Charging Die?

[holdencm9]

Hi all,

I am hoping to start reloading for rifle soon, .223 and .308. I have bought extra turrets and the die sets for each. I love the idea of just having my turrets sitting there, ready to go for any cartridge I wish to reload.

Anyway, as it turns out, the rifle charging dies do not come with the sets, so I have to order them separately. I figure while I am at it, I can buy the risers if necessary, since I normally reload using the safety prime feeder. That way I don't have to steal the one that is on my handgun turrets. Yes, I know, lazy, but for $6 to save my time down the road, why not.

I know the riser is needed for handgun dies, in order for the hopper to not crash into the safety primer, but the rifle charging die seems so tall on its own, is the riser still required?

Thanks.

 

[mdemetz]

The main reason for the riser is so the Auto Disk clears the Safety Prime.

 

[holdencm9]

Right, I should have specified, I plan to use it as a turret with the safety prime. I will edit the OP.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The main reason for the riser is so the Auto Disk clears the Safety Prime.

Right, I should have specified, I plan to use it as a turret with the safety prime.

Well there you go then...

 

[holdencm9]

Well there you go then...

I know the riser is needed for handgun dies, in order for the hopper to not crash into the safety primer, but the rifle charging die seems so tall on its own, is the riser still required?

From looking at pictures, the rifle charging die seems about as tall as a handgun die and riser put together, but just in case it is not, or maybe the images are misleading, I just went ahead and ordered a riser for it anyway. I will report back if it is needed or not.

 

[bengals1975]

I just did the same thing

 

[GT1]

I just set up my LCT for .223, no riser required as the rifle charging die is twice the length over the pistol PTE die.

 

[Utryme]

You won't be happy with the disk charge repeat ability. Rifle charges should be within a tenth of a grain or so. The auto disk system won't keep it to within a full grain. Your accuracy will suck. I don't recommend using the disk charge for rifles. Just my two cents.

 

[GT1]

I don't recommend using the disk charge for rifles.

With ball rifle powder it will do a great job(As good as metering pistol powders). I don't think there are very many measures out there that like long extruded powder, though. Then it's time for the PPM or similar.

 

[dragon813gt]

You won't be happy with the disk charge repeat ability. Rifle charges should be within a tenth of a grain or so. The auto disk system won't keep it to within a full grain. Your accuracy will suck. I don't recommend using the disk charge for rifles. Just my two cents.

.1 grain required in a rifle case? I don't think so. I'm more concerned with that small of a charge in small volume pistol cases where min/max are .5 grains apart. The repeatability of the PAD is also excellent. The only time I don't use it is for hunting loads that happen to not be at the charges the PAD throws.


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[holdencm9]

I just set up my LCT for .223, no riser required as the rifle charging die is twice the length over the pistol PTE die.

So the hopper cleared the safety primer with no problems? Well I guess that answers my question then, thanks! I guess I will have a spare riser on my hands! Oh well. If I ever buy dies for another handgun cartridge it will come in handy. Currently only load .45 Auto and 9mm Luger, but .38 Special or .380 Auto may be in my future.

As far as the charges and repeatability/accuracy of the rifle charging die, I am currently using Varget but based on the texture of that powder, and what I have read, I imagine I will have to use something else to meter well in the Lee Pro Auto Disk. But we will see. Mostly for my AR I just like to plink and shoot cans/steel, so +/- 0.5 grains may be acceptable, but if I ever wanted to go for more precision I would just hand-weigh each charge.

 

[GT1]

Yeah, it is close just like with a riser on pistol, the measure needs to set just so...to clear. I guess one could still use a riser and then it would be way up there! :-D

I am using 2230 and/or H335, either meters like water and I'm just plinking with an AR too.

 

[LivewireBlanco]

I use my Lee Pro Auto Disk for .223 and it does great! Groups are 1 MOA for my M&P 15. If I wanted super accurate loads I would weigh every powder charge but when cranking out 100 or 200 rounds and blasting steel at the range I can live with a .1 gr difference.

 

[holdencm9]

Yeah, it is close just like with a riser on pistol, the measure needs to set just so...to clear. I guess one could still use a riser and then it would be way up there! :-D

I am using 2230 and/or H335, either meters like water and I'm just plinking with an AR too.

I could just use the riser anyway, hopefully I have enough clearance to the ceiling and thanks for the powder suggestions. I will have to give those both a try after I burn through my 3 lbs of Varget. Although I will also be doing .308 for a bolt action so I can just save the varget for that, and buy some new stuff for the AR once it becomes available.

I use my Lee Pro Auto Disk for .223 and it does great! Groups are 1 MOA for my M&P 15. If I wanted super accurate loads I would weigh every powder charge but when cranking out 100 or 200 rounds and blasting steel at the range I can live with a .1 gr difference.

What powder are you using?

 

[LivewireBlanco]

X-terminator, the charge on the biggest hole is 43.7 gr.

 

[holdencm9]

Just to follow up, the rifle charging die arrived. It just BARELY clears the safety prime, and if it isn't perfectly aligned, it will tap the safety prime as it goes around. So just for good measure (and since I had an extra) I am using the riser, but could definitely get by w/o it.

The setup is pretty tall now!