Lee Perfect Powder Leaker

[BBDartCA]

I'm through my second Perfect Powder Measure and the leaking through the dial thing is annoying. Big leaks with AA#7, #9, Power Pistol and W748. Anybody have any tricks to keep it from leaking, or just try a different powder measuring product?

In the attached picture, you can see where I put some packing tape below the dial to catch the leakage. This was after only about 10 rounds.

 

[sbrader]

I had a Lee Perfect Powder Measure that was giving me fits, too. In my case, I was constantly having to tweak the load because the weighed drops varied so much from one round to another. I had Santa bring me the RCBS Uniflow with the micrometer insert and I have been thrilled. The charge stays dead on through many rounds and it is much easier to use. It also just feels more robust.

 

[35 Whelen]

I use an RCBS Uniflow (happens to have AA#7 in it at this moment) and a Lyman 55, neither of which have ever leaked. (Hint, hint)

35W

 

[JTJones]

I have only used the lyman 55. I can say it has never leaked. Also it's simple to use.

 

[brickeyee]

I threw away the Lee PPM I was given.

Brand new and still in the box.

 

[cfullgraf]

I had a Lee Perfect Powder Measure. Gave it away 5 or 6 years ago.

After using an RCBS Uniflow, a Redding 10-X, and a Midway Indispensable powder measures, the Lee just did not measure up.

 

[rsrocket1]

Yeah, and I know of people who threw their Lee presses into the lake or shot them.

Try adjusting the screw so that it is tight enough not to leak, but snug enough not to bind. Then run a pound of powder through it so that the graphite coating of the powder works its way through the measure. My PPM leaked H335 a little, but after a pound or two, it no longer leaks and runs very smoothly and drops very consistently.

If you don't want it, send it to me and I'll reimburse you for shipping.

 

[BBDartCA]

I guess you get what you pay for. This thing is going to Goodwill.

 

[jcwit]

Buy one of these, http://www.harrellsprec.com/online_store.html

Frankly after a breakin period and tightening the cone I've had no problems with my Lee Perfect Measure. YMMV

I guess you get what you pay for.

True, and then there are times you get more value than you paid for.

 

[Mike 27]

Mine leaks but not that bad. Can you tighten the scew a bit more and still rotate it? My Hornady doesnt leak at all if you are shopping, but other than that I haven't figured out how to get the fine grain powder to completely stop leaking.

 

[RE-15]

Mabe something is wrong with the user? I have 2, friend has 1. We get "perfect" results.
You pay a fraction of the cost for their products, intial set up and adjustment should be expected.

 

[35 Whelen]

Evidently you get what you pay for. And running a pound of powder through one or having to do a "break in period" sounds silly to me. I'm all about saving money, but this sounds like diminishing returns.

35W

 

[kingmt]

I guess you get what you pay for. This thing is going to Goodwill.

Just make sure you are getting what you pay for & not paying more but getting less.

I am haveing trouble with my LNL measure but I'm not one to blame the tools. I'll learn to use it one of these days.

My Perfect Powder Measure is perfect. No leaks & within .1gr.

 

[FM12]

Mine works better than I thought it would. Pleased so far anyway.

 

[jcwit]

Evidently you get what you pay for. And running a pound of powder through one or having to do a "break in period" sounds silly to me. I'm all about saving money, but this sounds like diminishing returns.

Well its only been recently "as in the last couple of years" that you didn't need to "break in " a new car or a rebuilt engine.

Really silly wasn't it.

With the above logic of only ever getting what you pay for we should all be shooting an Anschutz or driving a Rolls. Ever hear of getting a good deal.

I know I made one once with a Winchester Model 52B in excellent shape complete with hand stop all 3 magazines, with orginal sights and orginal sling swivels, with a Lyman Targetspot for $50.00 Only thing is was missing was the orginal shipping box.

Yup price is the only way to consider quality. I guess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mookiie]

The lee perfect powder measures leak finely grained powder. I use a Lee Pro Auto-Disk powder measure for fine powders.

 

[mgmorden]

Never had much trouble out of mine. The charges it throws are consistent enough (even with Unique, which is known to be a bad metering powder) that 10 throws always still measure within 0.2gr of what the total should be (ie, if I'm set to 3.5gr then 10 throws pretty much always comes out somewhere between 34.8 and 35.2gr).

A few flakes of powder will fall out when I use it but its so little that it's not really worth worrying over.

The only time I've thought about going to another bench-mounted measure was to go to an RCBS Little Dandy - and that was only for the repeatability of the rotor system.

 

[Fatdaddy]

Mine only does that with certain powders.
Small grain powders give it a fit but the larger grained powders like Varget work perfectly.

 

[35 Whelen]

Well its only been recently "as in the last couple of years" that you didn't need to "break in " a new car or a rebuilt engine.

Really silly wasn't it.

With the above logic of only ever getting what you pay for we should all be shooting an Anschutz or driving a Rolls. Ever hear of getting a good deal.

I know I made one once with a Winchester Model 52B in excellent shape complete with hand stop all 3 magazines, with orginal sights and orginal sling swivels, with a Lyman Targetspot for $50.00 Only thing is was missing was the orginal shipping box.

Yup price is the only way to consider quality. I guess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lighten up there, Pee Wee. Comparing an automobile engine to an El Cheapo powder measure is folly. Yes, I have heard of a good deal, that's why I buy used quality equipment. For example, my Lyman 55 cost me $25 used, and it was almost new when I bought it. Hey...I just realized, I paid less for a used powder measure (that doesn't leak) than most pay for a new Lee that does leak! Funny how that works!

35W

 

[jcwit]

Why must you resort to name calling, I don't and didn't. Not very classy or High Road either for that matter!

For example, my Lyman 55 cost me $25 used, and it was almost new when I bought it. Hey...I just realized, I paid less for a used powder measure (that doesn't leak) than most pay for a new Lee that does leak!

Everywhere I look the Lee Perfect Measure sells for $19.99 or less. Hmmmmm!

 

[3006mv]

I like your title

Yeah, you can read the instructions and run a bunch of powder through it which isn't as hard as it seems (not a whole pound, just a few hoppers full). Or you can spray it with some graphite liquid, like key lock lube. Then you can take it apart and look for that extra plastic sprue and cut or fine sand it out and then clean that rubber wiper. Put it back together and tighten it up. May or may not fix it. Or call Lee and explain you are not happy with it and maybe they will replace it. It worked for me I can use Lil Gun now w/o leaks. It used to leak w/ H110/W296 but I haven't loaded anything w/ those lately.

Before anyone else throws theirs out contact me first, I'll take it of your hands!

 

[J_McLeod]

My LNL powder measure is perfect.

My PPM leaks some HP-38, lots of BL(C)-2 and only a little Varget. It used to be accurate to within .1gr, but lately the charges have been wandering upward, so I've been using the LNl almost exclusively except for Varget.

 

[chhodge69]

Any idea what caused that? Mine has lived up to it's name since day 1. Best $20 I've spent on my entire bench.

 

[GT1]

Nothing wrong with the PPM . It states in the instructions(If one would bother) that it requires a break in period and at least one hopper ran through it. Even better, fill it with artist graphite. I needs broken in lubed and seated, it is nylon and plastic.
It costs $18.

It gets good reviews for throwing powder as well or better as any other, at any price.

 

[4895]

You could try to tighten the screw on the side of the drum. It may make a difference. I would not throw away the LEE PPM. I have found that it works just great on extruded stick powders. I mean, I can consistently throw the same weight without deviation. I believe it is due to the teflon rotor seal inside the drum. It wipes the grains instead of cutting and hanging up like my metallic OHAUS measure. Mine leaks bad with ball powder and I prefer not to use for that. I used mine for pistol until I found a good used measure at a gun show for $40. YMMV.