Pistol Powder choice for Lee Pro autodisk powder measure

[mbruce]

Just got the Lee Classic Turret Press (kit) and throwing the auto-disk powder measure away and buying an alternative like a Hornady Load-n- isn't an option...I know their autodisk powder measure must work with some brands/types of pistol powders...I also have the adjustable charge bar for precise adjustments and double disks..

What pistol powders do you sucessfully/consistently drop with the auto-disk loader? I'm assuming "more powder better the drop" means fill the hopper close to the top?

Which pistol powders should i avoid when using the Lee autodisk powder measure?

I'm reloading 10mm, .40, .357, .38, one day eventually load 9mm

Thanks

 

[LiveLife]

Welcome to THR!

I have found that ball powders like W231/HP38 (flattened small ball powder) have metered best in my Pro Auto Disk than other flake powder. Charge-to-charge variance is usually less than 0.1 gr, which I consider to be match grade.

Large flake powders like Promo/Red Dot don't meter as well and I get up to 0.2-0.3 gr variance (sometimes up to 0.4 gr), which is still fine for plinking loads. However, some powders like Promo are more tolerant of variance of charge weights and can still produce accurate shot groups.

For me, adjustable charge bar becomes inconsistent with smaller charges, usually less than 5.0 grains. I have been unsuccessful in using the charge bar to drop my usual 4.0-5.0 gr of W231/HP38 so I use the Auto Disks or customized Auto Disks for in-between charges.

 

[fourdollarbill]

Don't give up yet. I found the charge bar is accurate and worth while. I also found that the disk is even better and yes I did settle for the charge it drops but I adjusted my bullet type to the charge and now I have some of my greatest loads come off the auto disk using lee dies (what a crack up eh?) well it works.

Wipe the powder container with a used dryer sheet to remove all the static about once or twice a year.
Fill it, tap it down to settle the powder, throw about 6 charges and dump, then start loading.

HP38, Bullseye, 2400, Unique, it all works well. (yes Unique over 5grs, the big flake works too)

I think HP38/231 and Bullseye are the best for it if your going to get down to the tenths.

 

[mbruce]

Cool - Thanks for the replies.

I'll look and see if there is a list of powders and their shapes and then go from there.

I'm thinking the powder choice will be based on what's in stock in the area more so than anything...but then again the $25 hazmat fee will be worth paying if powder consistencies are consuming all my time...

 

[Exposure]

I agree with the Winchester 231 and Alliant Bullseye advice. They both metered great in my Pro AutoDisk.

I also found that Alliant Power Pistol, Winchester AutoComp, and especially Ramshot True Blue were all very easy to maintain +/- .1 grains with.

Good luck!

 

[LiveLife]

I'm assuming "more powder better the drop" means fill the hopper close to the top?

Actually, Auto Disk is a "volume" based powder drop which means each powder charge completely fills the disk hole (like a leveled out scoop). Dense powder like W231/HP38 will take smaller hole to equal the same "weight" charge of less dense powder like Clays/Promo.

My experience with Auto Disk has been that smaller, more free flowing powder like W231/HP38 with slick surface meters better than larger, rougher surfaced flake powders. Having said this, I do want to clarify that small flake powders like Bullseye/Green Dot/Clays also meter well.

For the calibers you are looking to reload, other ball powders like WST, WSF, Titegroup, HS-6 also meter well.

 

[RVenick]

I use all of the above mentioned powders with my autodisk. With Unique I have found that it meters good but the Lee conversion chart is wrong by one value. If the chart says use .71 I use the .76. Other then that I have no problems with the autodisk.

 

[RandyP]

I only use Win 231/HP-38 and it meters well and works well in the three calibers I reload.

 

[Taroman]

There are two Autodisk measures. I got the "Pro" version. Not sure if that's the one included in your kit. From everything I read, the Pro is a great improvement over the standard one. Recently, I added the Lee riser. That makes the measure much easier to install and remove and operation with really short cases seems smoother. Another trick with it is that, when changing disks, I wipe down the slide area and give it a spritz with a teflon dry lube.

 

[wrangler5]

All of the Accurate pistol powders (2, 5, 7 & 9) meter beautifully in the Lee measures. As do the previously mentioned W231 and PowerPistol.

 

[Hondo 60]

I've used AA5, Universal, Lil Gun & Titegroup.
All have worked just fine in my Lee Pro autodisk powder measure

Varget - a stick powder for my .223, not so much.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Also, don't be discouraged if the thrown charges don't match what is in Lee's charge table pamphlet. I've found most of the Hodgdon powders to match up, but Bullseye and Power Pistol are the only ones from Alliant that seem to match. Unique and 2400, the others I have used, aren't even close. Even so, my auto disk throws within .1gr every single time, which is all you can ask. Great measure at any price.

 

[sansone]

All of the Accurate pistol powders (2, 5, 7 & 9) meter beautifully in the Lee measures. As do the previously mentioned W231 and PowerPistol.

yes, the AA powder shape suits the auto-disc well. Hodgdon lil-gun also, but slow burning

 

[Hondo 60]

Titegroup definitely does NOT match Lee's charge table pamphlet.
You'll have to play a bit to find the right one.

If you use larger drops Lee's adjustable charge bar will work pretty well with infinite adjustability.

Smaller charges (for 38/357 etc) doesn't work worth a darn in my charge bar.

 

[benzuncle]

Alright, I'm weighing in . I use the Lee Classic Turret Press with the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure and have no problems with metering when using HP-38 (W231) or Bullseye. As for the charge bar, I like it and use it but don't trust it with any charges below 4gr. I use AA#9 for my 357SIG rounds. The Lee Powder measure doesn't meter AA#9 to my liking. It is so fine that it leaks out during the charging process. I bought a RCBS Uniflow specifically for the AA#9.

BTW: to avoid the HazMat fee, I buy powder and primers at the gun show. I do have to pay for the privilege of spending money inside but the $9 entry fee also allows me to see what is out there and to drool a little here and there.

Good luck to you mbruce. The LCT is a very good setup.