Oldcoyote
Member
I have been reloading for only a short while so this is definitely a rookie experiment. I will appreciate the comments of the experienced reloaders.
I am using a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press with a Lee Pro Auto Disc powder measure. I wanted to load .30/06, however, this measure has the capacity for only very light loads, even with the Double Disc Kit. For example, the measure will not throw typical starting loads. Lee only advertises that the measure will handle up to .308 Win. I am looking to charge on the press in auto index mode.
In the Midway reviews of the Double Disc Kit, One reviewer (1/13/08) says he can stack three discs to increase capacity.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=870920
I purchased another Double Disc Kit, figuring I could risk the $10.99. I modified the risers as suggested and used longer 6/32, 2 inch screws. The Pro Auto Disc measure appeared to function properly with three discs.
I decided to measure a few charges. I disabled auto index, threw three charges to set the measure and then began throwing and weighing with an RCBS 505. Admittedly, the turret was not rotating and other operations were not being performed.
First, for comparison, here is the measure with two discs, 1.46 and 1.57 throwing approximate Hodgdon Youth Loads of H4895, 125 gr bullet for .30/06. The results: 41.5, 41.4, 41.2, 41.3, 41.3, 41.3, 41.3, 41.4, 41.4, 41.3, ES .3.
I then attempted to use three discs to throw 51 gr of H4895 which is Hodgdon’s maximum load with the 150 gr Nosler BT. Discs used were 1.26, 1.26, 1.18. Small discs always on top. The results: 51.0, 51.2, 51.2, 51.2, 51.4, 51.2, 51.4, 51.2, 51.2, 51.2, ES .4.
I backed off a little using three discs of 1.26, 1.18, 1.18. Charges of H4895: 49.8, 49.8, 50.2, 49.9, 49.9, 50.0, 49.5, 49.9, 49.7, 49.8, ES .7.
I then tried ten charges of H4350 attempting to obtain 57.5 gr which is Hogdon’s maximum for the 180 gr Sierra. Discs of 1.36, 1.36, 1.36 were used. Charges ranged from 57.6 to 58.0, ES .4.
I reduced the discs to 1.36, 1.36, 1.26 and threw ten more H4350. Charges ranged from 56.3 to 56.8, ES .5.
I then tried Ramshot Hunter, a ball powder using discs of 1.36, 1.36, 1.26. Maximum per Ramshot for the 165 gr. Sierra is 61 gr. Accuracy was improved by tapping the measure before and after the discs moved. Ten throws were: 60.2, 60.2, 60.1, 60.4, 60.6, 60.5, 60.5, 60.4, 60.6, 60.1, ES.5. On another day I threw ten more, again tapping the measure and the charges ranged from 59.8 to 60.2, ES .4.
I realize that this is a limited test. Is this acceptable accuracy for plinking? For hunting? Would this possibly indicate that the modified Pro Auto Disc just might be OK to use for .30/06 on the turret press? Or should I just save my money for a proper Uniflow with CAPD, like my neighbor Dave? Your comments and advice will be appreciated.
Thank you
I am using a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press with a Lee Pro Auto Disc powder measure. I wanted to load .30/06, however, this measure has the capacity for only very light loads, even with the Double Disc Kit. For example, the measure will not throw typical starting loads. Lee only advertises that the measure will handle up to .308 Win. I am looking to charge on the press in auto index mode.
In the Midway reviews of the Double Disc Kit, One reviewer (1/13/08) says he can stack three discs to increase capacity.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=870920
I purchased another Double Disc Kit, figuring I could risk the $10.99. I modified the risers as suggested and used longer 6/32, 2 inch screws. The Pro Auto Disc measure appeared to function properly with three discs.
I decided to measure a few charges. I disabled auto index, threw three charges to set the measure and then began throwing and weighing with an RCBS 505. Admittedly, the turret was not rotating and other operations were not being performed.
First, for comparison, here is the measure with two discs, 1.46 and 1.57 throwing approximate Hodgdon Youth Loads of H4895, 125 gr bullet for .30/06. The results: 41.5, 41.4, 41.2, 41.3, 41.3, 41.3, 41.3, 41.4, 41.4, 41.3, ES .3.
I then attempted to use three discs to throw 51 gr of H4895 which is Hodgdon’s maximum load with the 150 gr Nosler BT. Discs used were 1.26, 1.26, 1.18. Small discs always on top. The results: 51.0, 51.2, 51.2, 51.2, 51.4, 51.2, 51.4, 51.2, 51.2, 51.2, ES .4.
I backed off a little using three discs of 1.26, 1.18, 1.18. Charges of H4895: 49.8, 49.8, 50.2, 49.9, 49.9, 50.0, 49.5, 49.9, 49.7, 49.8, ES .7.
I then tried ten charges of H4350 attempting to obtain 57.5 gr which is Hogdon’s maximum for the 180 gr Sierra. Discs of 1.36, 1.36, 1.36 were used. Charges ranged from 57.6 to 58.0, ES .4.
I reduced the discs to 1.36, 1.36, 1.26 and threw ten more H4350. Charges ranged from 56.3 to 56.8, ES .5.
I then tried Ramshot Hunter, a ball powder using discs of 1.36, 1.36, 1.26. Maximum per Ramshot for the 165 gr. Sierra is 61 gr. Accuracy was improved by tapping the measure before and after the discs moved. Ten throws were: 60.2, 60.2, 60.1, 60.4, 60.6, 60.5, 60.5, 60.4, 60.6, 60.1, ES.5. On another day I threw ten more, again tapping the measure and the charges ranged from 59.8 to 60.2, ES .4.
I realize that this is a limited test. Is this acceptable accuracy for plinking? For hunting? Would this possibly indicate that the modified Pro Auto Disc just might be OK to use for .30/06 on the turret press? Or should I just save my money for a proper Uniflow with CAPD, like my neighbor Dave? Your comments and advice will be appreciated.
Thank you