owners of CH-4 Powder Measure questions

[RussellC]

Recently have heard good things about this measure. Going to the CH-4 site right now I am getting a Mcafee warning, so will have to wait.

Question: Will this work on the Lee Classic Turret Press and be triggered the same as the Lee auto drum? Same question for Dillon 650?

Russellc

 

[higgite]

No. It is a manual PM.

 

[RussellC]

So it would work, just I would have to press the lever after raising the empty case?

Thanks,
Russellc

 

[higgite]

So it would work, just I would have to press the lever after raising the empty case?

Now that's a different question than your first one. I don't know if it will fit on an LCT for manual activation or not. I never tried it on mine.

 

[RussellC]

I'll give them a call tuesday hopefully I'm not the first to wonder. Is yours on a press made by the same folks. Yes, different question, no was the first answer so I wanted to know if idea was lost cause or not, thus the second question.

 

[Laphroaig]

I know you can set up a 650 for a manually operated, foreign powder measure. I have my 550 set up to use my RCBS Uniflows. Check the Blue Press for what you need; I think its a different expander die and an adaptor, I can't remember at the moment. As you said, you have to manually crank it when the case is at the top of the stroke.

 

[higgite]

I'll give them a call tuesday hopefully I'm not the first to wonder. Is yours on a press made by the same folks. Yes, different question, no was the first answer so I wanted to know if idea was lost cause or not, thus the second question.

I have a 444H press but I never use it nor the PM since I got a progressive for pistol, a T7 for rifle and a Chargemaster to do rifle charges. But, yes, the PM will fit the press.

 

[rfwobbly]

Question: Will this work on the Lee Classic Turret Press and be triggered the same as the Lee auto drum?

IMHO, not without a lot of special parts being made. The Lee powder measures operate off the pull of a "ball chain". The CH is a 'rotating drum type' and operates off manual rotation of the op lever through about 100 degrees, and then manually rotating back. There is no spring return. Secondly, the Lee powder measures mount atop their special Lee expansion die. So even if you could get the CH unit to operate, you'd be doing without the required cartridge reloading step known as "case expansion".

If you wanted a rotating drum type PM, then you'd be better off starting with the Hornady PM off the LNL AP.

Same question for Dillon 650?

The Dillon PM is actually much closer to the Lee units in mounting and operation. Of course, you'd be required to purchase the accompanying Dillon Powder Die and Powder Funnel, but all the necessary reloading functions would be there. The Dillon PM is activated by the simple presence of a cartridge case. You'd need to defeat the external safety rod function, but that's a very simple task.

I actually bought a Lee press years ago that was set up with a Dillon PM, and it worked very well. And just so you understand, all Dillon powder measures are the same body and function. The SDB simply uses a slightly different mount than the 550 and 650.

Hope this helps.
.

 

[RussellC]

IMHO, not without a lot of special parts being made. The Lee powder measures operate off the pull of a "ball chain". The CH is a 'rotating drum type' and operates off manual rotation of the op lever through about 100 degrees, and then manually rotating back. There is no spring return. Secondly, the Lee powder measures mount atop their special Lee expansion die. So even if you could get the CH unit to operate, you'd be doing without the required cartridge reloading step known as "case expansion".

If you wanted a rotating drum type PM, then you'd be better off starting with the Hornady PM off the LNL AP.



The Dillon PM is actually much closer to the Lee units in mounting and operation. Of course, you'd be required to purchase the accompanying Dillon Powder Die and Powder Funnel, but all the necessary reloading functions would be there. The Dillon PM is activated by the simple presence of a cartridge case. You'd need to defeat the external safety rod function, but that's a very simple task.

I actually bought a Lee press years ago that was set up with a Dillon PM, and it worked very well. And just so you understand, all Dillon powder measures are the same body and function. The SDB simply uses a slightly different mount than the 550 and 650.

Hope this helps.
.

I think you have the wrong Lee press in mind, the Lee auto drum doesn't pull a chain and it is a drum type. It is actuated when the case is press up, the drum turns and dumps the powder.

Maybe I am missing the "expansion" part, but it appears to just dump into a tube..?

I can live with having to press the lever each time on the Lee, I will stick with Dillon powder equipment for a 650, should I get one.

For now, I think I will stay where I am, but if the 650 comes into reach, I will get the Dillon PM, use it or a duplicate on the Lee.


Russellc

 

[RussellC]

I have a 444H press but I never use it nor the PM since I got a progressive for pistol, a T7 for rifle and a Chargemaster to do rifle charges. But, yes, the PM will fit the press.

Thanks for the info, this one just may not be for me. Since I have my eye on Dillon, I guess if I want to upgrade PM, I may as well get their PM.

 

[rfwobbly]

I think you have the wrong Lee press in mind, the Lee auto drum doesn't pull a chain and it is a drum type. It is actuated when the case is press up, the drum turns and dumps the powder.

Yes, you are correct. My bad.

The would make the Lee Auto Drum your best bet.