Lee Perfect Leak

[blarby]

So, started loading some more 30 carbine tonight.

Charge a case.

*sparkle*

Charge another.

*sprinkle sprinkle*

*** !

My lee perfect powder measure is leaking h110 out the left side, between the roller, and the housing.

I know H110 is fine- but this has never happened before.

I emptied the hopper, and disassembled and reassembled everything.

*sprinkle sprinkle little star *

Its not alot- maybe 15-20 granules per stroke... sometimes 1 or 2.....but it adds up, dangit !



I don't think any other powder could fit in there, in that small space...its almost like the powder is acting like a dry lube !

So- has this happened to anyone else....... And is it fixable, or just time for a new measure for H110 use ?

 

[Havok7416]

This happens in my Dillon powder measure and just with H110 so far. It got so bad I eliminated that powder from my lineup.

 

[dragon813gt]

I switched to using H110 in my Chargemaster only. It leaked in the PPM and the PAD. I won't stop using the powder as it works to well. I just got tired of wasting it.


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[Poppaj78]

My Lee powder measurer did the same thing to the other day. I had was loading titegroup. I tightened up a little on the screw it made it a little harder but it doesn't leak FOR NOW.

 

[BossHogg]

Yeah, I think they all do. Just put a piece of paper under it and try to catch as much of the powder you can.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I haven't had any problems using extruded rifle powders or Red Dot in my Lee measure. But I put some True Blue in it the other day and it was leaking pretty bad. I used the method BossHogg suggested.

 

[Constrictor]

welcome to lee reloading equipment owndership.

 

[GLOOB]

I'm sure Lee PPM isn't alone with having the H110 problem.

I stick with a dipper for H110. But when my jug is gone, I'll be trying 2400 so I can ditch the dipper and the magnum primers, too.

 

[ATLDave]

Did you try wiping down that little white silicone gasket?

 

[blarby]

I did a complete reassembly and wipe through, Dave.

I didn't pay particularly close attention to that gasket- but I will go back in and try again.

I'm wondering if I just finally wore through something- as I never had this problem before.

 

[ATLDave]

I was just thinking that maybe some coarse grains got stuck to it and are causing it not to make a nice seal, allowing leakage.

 

[dagger dog]

Mine leaked even with tightening the screw, after it was well broken in it finally stopped,to try to speed thing up, if you have some powder mica or graphite take it apart and dust the rotor and body.

While it was in the break in period I used it for stick powder like Varget and RE15, never cut one grain of powder and was smooth as silk compared to my RCBS Uniflow which is very jerky and crunchy with those type powders.

Don't be hasty to condem Lee products they are a great value for little $$$$$.

 

[matrem]

Mine's only used to drop H335, and it's leaked it from the time it was new, and is still leaking it after thousands & thousands of drops.

For the first thousand or so drops that bugged me and I took it apart a few times to tighten it and "fix" it but couldn't "fix" it.

Now I just clean up the powder once in a while and appreciate the fact that it dumps ball powder every bit as accurate as my Lyman 55 for less than half the price.
I still don't believe it could last as long as a 55, but so far so good.

 

[BullfrogKen]

I like Lee products, but that plastic powder measure is going to leak that fine ball powder. Period. I bought a steel replacement measure after I got more serious about reloading.

 

[splattergun]

I took a small paper plate, cut a T-notch into it, so that it fits onto the mount stand, and place it directly under the powder measure. It catches nearly every granule of powder that might leak, and cost about .05 and 5 seconds to make.

My .05

 

[SSN Vet]

Not to sound like a wise guy, but did you try tightening up the drum screw?

 

[hAkron]

I had the same issue with a lee auto disk and H-110. It does well in my Hornady measure and my RCBS measure.

 

[jcwit]

Just a thought. I also use a Lee PPM but I use IMR 4227 powder which is also a very good powder for the 30 cal carbine round. Nice thing about 4227 is its virtually impossible to double charge the case.

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

The Lee is notorious for leaking, it is almost as bad as a Dillon.

 

[noylj]

It also happens with AA7 and True Blue.
The measure will "wear in."
I consider the measure best used as a bench-mount with paper under it to collect the powder. This way, the leakage is a non-issue and you just pour the powder back in the hopper.
After cleaning up everything, when you put it together, increase the tension.
Have you run some powdered graphite through it?

 

[jcwit]

I have read of some reloaders using fine valve grinding compound to improve the seating of both halves of the cone.

I have never needed to do this tho with mine.

 

[GLOOB]

I'm wondering if I just finally wore through something- as I never had this problem before.

I doubt it. Mine will throw H335/W748/BLC-2 type ball powder all day long without spilling a kernel. H110 works ok til it starts the ole snap, crackle, pop, then starts leaking on every pull.

Mine's only used to drop H335, and it's leaked it from the time it was new, and is still leaking it after thousands & thousands of drops.

For the first thousand or so drops that bugged me and I took it apart a few times to tighten it and "fix" it but couldn't "fix" it.

It's most likely fixable. Just could take more effort than it's worth. I have fixed two using buffing compound. Slather a bit into the halves, then twist away. One was so bad I made drill adaptor to do the turning. They're both 100% with everything I've tried, except H110.

 

[biogenic]

The Lee is notorious for leaking, it is almost as bad as a Dillon.

Really ??? "as bad as Dillon" ? How can you even compare Lee with Dillon ? Never saw my 550 "leak"...

 

[blarby]

The measure will "wear in."

At last stock I'm at almost 21k rounds through this one- if its not broke in by this point, its never gonna get it.

This unfortunately is not a new measure, nor the 1st, 2nd, or 50th time its been loaded with h-110.

I've taken it apart completely again, and its still doing it :<

 

[RE-15]

It was only $25, consider that. I tweaked the three I own and they work perfect. If I loose .05 cents worth of powder while loading, it is a "almost perfect powder". Good enough for me.