greyling22
Member
I ran mine last night. A little fiddly to get it adjusted right on my 650, but once I got it right it worked fine. Less mess than my pro auto disk.
quick review-new lee auto drum powder measure
- Thread starter dave333
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Put together 100 rounds of 9mm with 4.3 gn W231. The LAD ran flawlessly. After verifying charge setting I weighed the 1st actual load powder drop, 4.3 gn. 25th drop, 4.3 gn, 50th drop 4.3, 75th 4.2, 100th drop weighed 4.3 gn.
This tool is definitely staying on my LCT.
Same load I use! And yes, my LAD is just as accurate and consistent![emoji41]
rotorloader
Member
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- Mar 4, 2016
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I bought one of these right after they came out but I have to admit, I have not used it yet. I have a Lee turret press but mainly have been doing MEC shotgun reloading. I reviewed the entire thread and although I have not used it yet and mine was a very early production I found the following.
Construction is classic Lee with rough edges and sometimes shreds of metal that need to be removed. The picture shows a metal burr that was completely across the drop tube in the middle and had to be removed with a screw driver. Fragment is just above the 4 inch mark.
There are some fine sharp burrs on the inner surface of the LAD that need to be gently scraped off but which might cause powder loss.
The separate riser is bathed in oil and needs to be cleaned thoroughly just like their dies. On the other hand there is no rust.
Plan on doing a review using 700x to see how it works for 45 ACP. Will post findings in a future post.
Construction is classic Lee with rough edges and sometimes shreds of metal that need to be removed. The picture shows a metal burr that was completely across the drop tube in the middle and had to be removed with a screw driver. Fragment is just above the 4 inch mark.
There are some fine sharp burrs on the inner surface of the LAD that need to be gently scraped off but which might cause powder loss.
The separate riser is bathed in oil and needs to be cleaned thoroughly just like their dies. On the other hand there is no rust.
Plan on doing a review using 700x to see how it works for 45 ACP. Will post findings in a future post.
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rotorloader
Member
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- Mar 4, 2016
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Put the LAD on the turret press with 700x powder, didn't actually load anything but measured powder drop using an electronic scale. Aimed for 3.6 gr. 700x. Did a bunch of throws to get the powder moving around before I started measurements. Did 30 measured throws.
3.8
3.7
3.5
3.6
3.9
3.6
3.6
3.7
3.5
3.8
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.7
3.7
3.5
3.5
3.8
3.8
3.9
3.6
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.5
3.5
3.6
3.6
3.9
4.0
Average 3.67
42.4 gr of powder left in LAD after I removed the powder bowl. No spill of powder.
Looks pretty good for a known tough metering powder.
3.8
3.7
3.5
3.6
3.9
3.6
3.6
3.7
3.5
3.8
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.7
3.7
3.5
3.5
3.8
3.8
3.9
3.6
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.5
3.5
3.6
3.6
3.9
4.0
Average 3.67
42.4 gr of powder left in LAD after I removed the powder bowl. No spill of powder.
Looks pretty good for a known tough metering powder.
It should get even better after dropping 100-200 loads. I think that getting everything coated with graphite dust from the powder makes a difference. Each new drum, too.
Mine just does not vary enough to measure any more. I have not used 700x, though. You may be closer than you think on drops. Electronic scales offer at best .1gr resolution. I use a balance beam scale for setting up the drum and double checking drops.
Mine just does not vary enough to measure any more. I have not used 700x, though. You may be closer than you think on drops. Electronic scales offer at best .1gr resolution. I use a balance beam scale for setting up the drum and double checking drops.
rotorloader
Member
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- Mar 4, 2016
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I have a Frankford Arsenal DS-750. I pulled out my Lee balance scale and weighed a spent 209 primer (12.3 gr.) That's exactly what I got when weighing it with my Frankford. That scale is just fantastic. Happy with my LAD and will load some 45ACP tomorrow.
splattergun
Member
definitely agree with drband. Run a couple hundred throws through the measure before you worry about accuracy. That's required for all Lee powder measures, and most others. The graphite from the powder must coat the surfaces thoroughly. Or if you're in a hurry, brush all surfaces with graphite powder. You'll still miss a few spots that the powder throws will dust, but it's a quick cheat.
I ran 100 rounds of .38spcl last night on mine, I started with a charge of 4.8gn of 231, checked one out of every 10, the charge was dead on each time. I checked with the LEE safety scale and Frankfort Arsenal digital.
I'm ordering one a month until I have one on each caliber LCT turret. Reduced set up time
I'm ordering one a month until I have one on each caliber LCT turret. Reduced set up time
greyling22
Member
I bought a dillon 650 and an auto drum and set them both up at the same time. I was using a large flake powder. I throw all that out there to say it might have been operator error, but I loaded 80 and shot 50 yesterday. I had 1 squib. It was one of the first few out of the press. But the rest of the rounds seemed to work ok. I have always had some inconsistent recoil using this powder, and it felt more uniform with the auto drum than the auto disk.
greyling22
Member
oh yeah. I'm not panicking at all, just passing along my results thus far. I am getting a few flakes sneaking out around the edges of the moving cone. and I've got it cranked down pretty tight.
You should make sure the drum and the metal housing inside are wiped perfectly clean when installing the drum. Even a few grains of powder in the wrong place can cause it to leak even tightened down. I had a few grains dribble out initially but when I cleaned it up properly, no more powder leaks at all.
I just ordered 5 more, for a total of 7, one for each die set. No more swapping drums! Not that swapping drums is all that hard its just that I sometimes load 7 calibers in a evening getting ready for a next day range trip. Reduced set-up time!
So one thing I have found and will pass along; The pistol drum works with a .223 but will be almost out of threads with heavier loads. The rifle drum is too large for .223, even max loads, threaded all the way in. I put some BLC2 all over the press the other night figuring that one out. Probably could have read the directions a little better and save a charge or two of powder
So one thing I have found and will pass along; The pistol drum works with a .223 but will be almost out of threads with heavier loads. The rifle drum is too large for .223, even max loads, threaded all the way in. I put some BLC2 all over the press the other night figuring that one out. Probably could have read the directions a little better and save a charge or two of powder
Another little "trick" besides the tape. After disabling the stupid "safety" I tamped (stuffed) a small wad of paper in behind the connecting rod.
This prevents it from moving when you take off the unit, If it slides back it will not dispense powder and bend or break,
This prevents it from moving when you take off the unit, If it slides back it will not dispense powder and bend or break,
splattergun
Member
SARuger, Did you try the little plug that comes with the large drum? It lets the large drum be used for small charges. Works great for my .45acp this way, 5.3 gn of Unique.
I just put the screw back that held the "safety" and put an O-ring on it, wrapped it behind/around the rod/arm and over the screw again.
With that, removing that O-ring, and pushing the rod back, I can hand cycle the measure by turning the drum, without cycling the press
Because of light pistol loads, I like to throw 10 loads into a BIG case and set my scale to 10x my target (4.3 x 10=43 grains) for measure adjustment. (5x works too)
Rather than chasing 0.1 gr by weighing/adjusting for a single 4.3 charge.
Now I can push a hand held big case under the expander plug, push it up close the gap, and operate the measure manually 10x, by turning the drum.
I know pics would help explain this better, but I'm not able to post any right now.
:banghead:
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That's for really small loads from what I read. I will try it though.
I got 5 of my 6 LAD's in today, all set up and ready to drop powder. Still waiting on my single stage press for de-capping and my .380 die set and my re-loading bench and hardware will be complete! I'm using the Auto Disc with my 9mm dies since that load never changes, not doing any work ups with that one.
Also worth a note; You do not need the riser with pistol dies if you remove the double charge safety. It fits just fine if you angle the arm between the dies
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I just finished reloading 100 223 with RMR 62 gr. FMJBT, using CFE 223. I'm more impressed with the Auto-Drum unit.
I used the first 5 reloads to tune the throw in at 26.8 gr. I started with the hopper about 3/4 full of powder. Ended with the powder down to where the hopper tapers in. No special tapping of the hopper/drum. The cases were already resized. Using the LCT, with auto-index. I primed, charged, seated the bullet, and used the Lee crimp die. I would randomly check the weight every 5-10 throws.
I found the throws to be 26.7-26.8 gr. Pretty good, if I say so.
Anyhow, thought I would share that.
I used the first 5 reloads to tune the throw in at 26.8 gr. I started with the hopper about 3/4 full of powder. Ended with the powder down to where the hopper tapers in. No special tapping of the hopper/drum. The cases were already resized. Using the LCT, with auto-index. I primed, charged, seated the bullet, and used the Lee crimp die. I would randomly check the weight every 5-10 throws.
I found the throws to be 26.7-26.8 gr. Pretty good, if I say so.
Anyhow, thought I would share that.
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