Lee Auto-Disk?

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badkarmamib

badkarmamib

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Okay, I know there are better options. Right now, I am loading pistol on the same single-stage Lee Breech Lock that I started with years ago. I tried the Lee Breech Lock Auto, didn't suit. Press had too much going on, and too much hand switching. Also had an Auto Drum, but it either threw inconsistent, low charges of HP-38, or dumped more on the table than in the case. Could have been me, looking back, it probably just needed cleaning. Gave it to my Dad for his turret, he says it leaks, but not enough for him to care.
Went back to the single, and realized I prefer the pace. I am scooping the powder, and getting decent results, but I am interested in trying a powder drop again. Possibly my issues with the drum were me, but some say the disk is better for pistol powders and charges. I don't compete, just plink, and low volume. My buddy is trying to talk me into a Dillon, which is way out of budget or need. So, do others have good experience with the Auto Disk with HP-38 on a single stage? Anything to watch for, so I don't blame equipment for my mistakes? TIA
 
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I've got disks and drums. The disk pro is better than regular disk, but both leak. Especially with fine powders.

I like the drum more. I have 2. The first was great, but I had terrible problems with #2 leaking. Sent it to lee and they machined the drums to uniformity. Still leaked. So I finally just popped a new drum in from #1, and it has worked great ever since. I think the drums have qc issues, but if you get a good one they are excellent.

But for single stage, I'd try something like a uniflow or the fancy lee powder measure. I have 2 uniflows and the cheap lee perfect powder measure. The Lee ppm actually gives me more accurate metering, but the uniflows are SO much nicer and smoother to run.....


And if a picture is worth a thousand words, this is how much I cared for the Dillon powder dispenser.

PXL_20220228_022803710.jpg
 
I bought 3 progressive presses that came with Uniflow measures, and those measures have been replaced with Lee Pro Auto Disc, used exclusively with W231/HP-38.
I traced some minor leaking to the gap between the hopper bottom seal and the disc.
I simply filed the 2 top edges of the housing until the file touched the disc.
This put more pressure on the seal when the hopper is installed and stopped the minor leaking.

The shiny part(s) in this pic are what I filed flush with a disc.
IMG_1154.JPG
You can see the gray shadow on the disc where the seal slid across it.
The extra seal pressure can be modulated by how tight you tighten the hopper thumb screws.
Not something I dreamed up though, here's Lee's tip for the old square/no wiper disc measure:
Lee Precision, Inc. - Excessive Leaking Auto Disk Powder Measure Fine Ball Powders

I also run the return spring differently and don't use the chain.
When the spring is attached like in this pic, it can be easily disconnected to throw a charge to weigh/verify:
MirrorS.jpg
The risers are to clear the other dies on this progressive but are not needed on a single stage.
For verifying light pistol charges, I through 10 charges in a bigger case and weight it.
As an example, with a target load of 4.5gr. of HP-38, 10 charges should weigh 45.0 gr.

There are other threads exclusively about the Lee Pro Auto Disc measures where I have posted this info previously, so sorry for that.
A simple search for those threads will get you way more info about the Auto Disc.
good luck,
jmo
.
 
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IDK about HP-38, but the Auto Disk is a fine on press powder measure, very accurate with flake powders like Unique or Blue Dot. At the price you may as well try it.
 
I threw my Lee Auto Disk away a couple of decades ago. It never worked well for me on my Dillon 650. I have 7 or 8 Dillon powder measures for the dozen reloading heads for my Dillon 650.
 
Been using Auto Disk for all my pistol and 223 rounds for several years. It does require some tinkering, as others above have noted, to get "just right" but works well for my needs and my powders (TAC and Silhouette).
 
badkarmamib said:
Okay, I know there are better options. Right now, I am loading pistol on the same single-stage Lee Breech Lock that I started with years ago. I tried the Lee Breech Lock Auto, didn't suit. Press had too much going on, and too much hand switching. Also had an Auto Drum, but it either threw inconsistent, low charges of HP-38, or dumped more on the table than in the case. Could have been me, looking back, it probably just needed cleaning. Gave it to my Dad for his turret, he says it leaks, but not enough for him to care.
Went back to the single, and realized I prefer the pace. I am scooping the powder, and getting decent results, but I am interested in trying a powder drop again. Possibly my issues with the drum were me, but some say the disk is better for pistol powders and charges. I don't compete, just plink, and low volume. My buddy is trying to talk me into a Dillon, which is way out of budget or need. So, do others have good experience with the Auto Disk with HP-38 on a single stage? Anything to watch for, so I don't blame equipment for my mistakes? TIA
Click to expand...
I am currently using the Auto Disk with W231. There will be a sprinkle of powder around after a session but not of concern and W-a-ay better than measuring every charge. I also use the Auto Drum with other loads/powders. Fine powders, especially my Belgians, will leak and jam, but that drum can be tighter than I first thought. Note that Lee has changed the drums to have a different surface, so I wonder if they might give you a new set (two regular aperture and two large), if no adjustment helps with the current set. Just assume they changed the drums for a reason.
 
Thanks everyone. I have a Lazy Susan full of PPMs for my rifles, just spin it to the cartridge I am loading and go. Pistol on a single stage, I am trying to remove some of the in-out-in-out, so am looking at something that automatically fills the case. I don't know anyone who has one, so I am mostly wanting to know if they are a waste of money for my components and equipment, and/or any potential issues that could be remedied if I just know what I am doing. Sounds like it should work well, just might need some tinkering, which I enjoy, as long as it doesn't require constant tinkering just to keep mediocre performance.
 
badkarmamib said:
I know there are better options ... My buddy is trying to talk me into a Dillon, which is way out of budget or need. So, do others have good experience with the Auto Disk with HP-38?

... as long as it doesn't require constant tinkering just to keep mediocre performance.
Click to expand...
Lee Pro Auto Disk elastomer wiper at bottom of hopper that disk slides under NEEDS to be lubricated or premature wear will cause powder granule leakage. I lubricate wiper surface with graphite powder or finely shaved No. 2 pencil lead rubbed on paper with finger tip til surface is completely black. Properly lubricated and tensioned PAD with finger tight nuts will meter fine granule powders like W231/HP-38/Sport Pistol/Bullseye with less than .05-.1 gr variance which is better than many powder measures.

After learning to reload on Dillon 550B and Pro 1000 and after 15 presses past 30 years, I am currently set up with 550C and Lee ABLP with Pro Auto Disk. I bought C-H 502 micrometer powder measure after reviewing different powder measure comparisons - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/powder-measure-reccomendations.863943/#post-11398909

SD - CH4D / Redding / Harrell / B&M / RCBS / Lee / Hornady / Lyman 55​

AA #9 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.032 - 0.000 - 0.043 - 0.037
I 4227 - 0.025 - 0.032 - 0.038 - 0.102 - 0.000 - 0.051 - 0.031 - 0.061
Unique - 0.145 - 0.127 - 0.150 - 0.100 - 0.129 - 0.142 - 0.139 - 0.185 us
I 4198 - 0.138 - 0.177 - 0.103 - 0.125 - 0.169 - 0.141 - 0.170 - 0.114
SR4759 - 0.128 - 0.099 - 0.151 - 0.127 - 0.146 - 0.157 - 0.135 - 0.205​

Average - 0.087 - 0.087 - 0.088 - 0.091 - 0.095 - 0.098 - 0.104 - 0.120​


I conducted 10 drop test with C-H 502 using some more difficult to meter powders like Unique and got following powder charge variances - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/c-h-502-micrometer-powder-measure-10-drops.834894/

I did powder drop comparison with W296 (Same fine ball powder as H110) using C-H, Redding and Pro Auto Disk - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/powder-measure-reccomendations.863943/#post-11399069

10 drops of powder charges were put back in the hopper to settle the powder before 10 consecutive drops were weighed:

C-H 502 micrometer:
  1. 9.70 gr
  2. 9.62 gr
  3. 9.62 gr
  4. 9.70 gr
  5. 9.68 gr
  6. 9.64 gr
  7. 9.78 gr
  8. 9.70 gr
  9. 9.64 gr
  10. 9.78 gr
Range - 0.16 gr


Redding micrometer:
  1. 9.54 gr
  2. 9.58 gr
  3. 9.64 gr
  4. 9.64 gr
  5. 9.56 gr
  6. 9.76 gr
  7. 9.66 gr
  8. 9.48 gr
  9. 9.58 gr
  10. 9.46 gr
Range - 0.30 gr


Lee Pro Auto Disk: (.61 cc disk hole)
  1. 9.16 gr
  2. 9.16 gr
  3. 9.08 gr
  4. 9.20 gr
  5. 9.12 gr
  6. 9.18 gr
  7. 9.16 gr
  8. 9.12 gr
  9. 9.08 gr
  10. 9.12 gr
Range - 0.12 gr
 
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I run the autodisk on all of my turrets - 9mm, 357 Sig, 40, 357 Mag and 223. I do not use the disks, but the micrometer bar in all of them. It is usually dead on with ball powder, a little looser on flake and I have not tried stick powder. For those 5 calibers it works great for me. YMMV. I still use the RCBS Uniflow for 22-250, 30-06 and 6.5 Grendel (although an autodisk would probably work for the Grendel as well). I say go for it!
 
I use a Lee Pro Auto Disk on my 4 hole turret press and I load a lot of W231/HP-38 without any problems. It even works well with the Adjustable Powder Charge Bar. I get no leakage at all.

I can't comment on the Lee Auto Drum because I never used one.
 
LiveLife said:
Lee Pro Auto Disk elastomer wiper at bottom of hopper that disk slides under NEEDS to be lubricated or premature wear will cause powder granule leakage. I lubricate wiper surface with graphite powder or finely shaved No. 2 pencil lead rubbed on paper with finger tip til surface is completely black. Properly lubricated and tensioned PAD with finger tight nuts will meter fine granule powders like W231/HP-38/Sport Pistol/Bullseye with less than .05-.1 gr variance which is better than many powder measures.

After learning to reload on Dillon 550B and Pro 1000 and after 15 presses past 30 years, I am currently set up with 550C and Lee ABLP with Pro Auto Disk. I bought C-H 502 micrometer powder measure after reviewing different powder measure comparisons - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/powder-measure-reccomendations.863943/#post-11398909

SD - CH4D / Redding / Harrell / B&M / RCBS / Lee / Hornady / Lyman 55​

AA #9 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.000 - 0.032 - 0.000 - 0.043 - 0.037
I 4227 - 0.025 - 0.032 - 0.038 - 0.102 - 0.000 - 0.051 - 0.031 - 0.061
Unique - 0.145 - 0.127 - 0.150 - 0.100 - 0.129 - 0.142 - 0.139 - 0.185 us
I 4198 - 0.138 - 0.177 - 0.103 - 0.125 - 0.169 - 0.141 - 0.170 - 0.114
SR4759 - 0.128 - 0.099 - 0.151 - 0.127 - 0.146 - 0.157 - 0.135 - 0.205​

Average - 0.087 - 0.087 - 0.088 - 0.091 - 0.095 - 0.098 - 0.104 - 0.120​


I conducted 10 drop test with C-H 502 using some more difficult to meter powders like Unique and got following powder charge variances - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/c-h-502-micrometer-powder-measure-10-drops.834894/

I did powder drop comparison with W296 (Same fine ball powder as H110) using C-H, Redding and Pro Auto Disk - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/powder-measure-reccomendations.863943/#post-11399069

10 drops of powder charges were put back in the hopper to settle the powder before 10 consecutive drops were weighed:

C-H 502 micrometer:
  1. 9.70 gr
  2. 9.62 gr
  3. 9.62 gr
  4. 9.70 gr
  5. 9.68 gr
  6. 9.64 gr
  7. 9.78 gr
  8. 9.70 gr
  9. 9.64 gr
  10. 9.78 gr
Range - 0.16 gr


Redding micrometer:
  1. 9.54 gr
  2. 9.58 gr
  3. 9.64 gr
  4. 9.64 gr
  5. 9.56 gr
  6. 9.76 gr
  7. 9.66 gr
  8. 9.48 gr
  9. 9.58 gr
  10. 9.46 gr
Range - 0.30 gr


Lee Pro Auto Disk: (.61 cc disk hole)
  1. 9.16 gr
  2. 9.16 gr
  3. 9.08 gr
  4. 9.20 gr
  5. 9.12 gr
  6. 9.18 gr
  7. 9.16 gr
  8. 9.12 gr
  9. 9.08 gr
  10. 9.12 gr
Range - 0.12 gr
Click to expand...

Nice data!
 
The AutoDrum that came with my classic turret was a struggle from the start. The AutoDisc works great. Used to leak a lot with super fine powder like True Blue but I hit the rails with a file like Tilos shows and it has settled in nicely. No problem with larger powders like HP38 and AutoComp. I use the PPM for rifle.
 
Lennyjoe said:
I’d assume using a Lee Auto Disc on anything other than Lee will take a bit of modification to perform as designed. Is that not the case when used with Dillon, etc.?
Click to expand...

Actually, the LAD measure comes with a wrap-around spring and lever arm when you buy it separately/not in a press kit.
Using that spring-arm combo makes the LAD a standalone unit that only needs to be attached to a Lee powder-thru-expander die with no other connections to any press or mods needed.
That said, I don't use that that as I find that spring way too stiff and it's difficult to disconnect to throw a charge to weigh/verify.
That stiff spring can also cause some over-flaring too, the reason I rig it as pictured in post #5...
Just some more bloviation of worthless info,
.
 
One more thing...
The actuating arm edge has a rough finish because it is stamped, and the swivel adaptor has feather/flash burrs because it is cast.
These 2 rough surfaces are the contact points during every powder drop and prevent smooth operation.
I have found that smoothing the edge of the lever arm, radius'ing the contact point on the swivel adaptor, and adding a little lube, the measure operates much smoother.
A pic:
SlotRadius.JPG
more bloviation,
Edit: A new Lee Pro Auto-Disc Measure is less than $40, not a lot of money to give it a try...
LEE PRO AUTO-DISK POWDER MEASURE - Titan Reloading
(Includes swivel adapter and spring return lever with spring)

.
 
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I've tried pretty much all the options on my Lee Presses. Early Auto disk, Pro Auto disk, Pro with adjustable micro disk, auto drum, precision. Maybe I'm just set in my ways but I find the Pro Auto Drum (which has an improved seal system) and a couple of sets of discs is still my go to standard. If find with this system, as long as I keep the powder hopper filled to roughly the same level, through is usually within a .05 gr or so with most pistol loads. It helps that the system (at least on my Classic turrets) runs flawlessly. One thing I've done is to buy a second set of disks and modify them with a round jewelers file so they split the difference to the next disk hole size. For example, I'll create a ,"46M" that has a .475 cc volume between the factory .46cc and .49cc settings. I mod every hole on this spare set this way in order to get 1/2 step increases. Comes in handy when doing load development.
 
Tacoma said:
One thing I've done is to buy a second set of disks and modify them with a round jewelers file so they split the difference to the next disk hole size.
Click to expand...
With $1 mod, you can make your disks infinitely adjustable - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/working-diy-micro-auto-disk.741988/

index.php
 
LiveLife said:
With $1 mod, you can make your disks infinitely adjustable - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/working-diy-micro-auto-disk.741988/

index.php
Click to expand...

I did this so I could get small enough drops for .380...it works great.

Also to touch on what Tacoma mentioned...I think you can buy blank disc's (no holes) and drill 'em as needed.

I started with the pro disc, it has always worked for me. When the drum came out I bought it, tried it, and went back to the disc for most of my reloading.
 
LiveLife said:
With $1 mod, you can make your disks infinitely adjustable - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/working-diy-micro-auto-disk.741988/

index.php
Click to expand...
Nice. FWIW, I had tried that method some 30 years ago but didn't have much luck. I found that some flake type powders wouldn't flow well around and under the bolt when it dropped. Resultantly, I'd get some small voids under the bolt which caused variances in charges. Admittedly, it was only with certain bulky powders and very light charges but it was enough that I moved on to smooth filing a alternate set of disks to get increased charges and no flow restriction. Maybe I'll have to revisit this someday for gun though.
 
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