Reloading .38 special lee auto drum powder measure

[Nicksterish]

I'm using CFE pistol powder to relaod .38 special. The lee auto drum powder measure is leaking because it's a fine powder. And suggestions on powders??

 

[badkarmamib]

I use the Auto Drum for HP-38, and offer this caution: tightening the thumb screw too far, in an attempt to stop the leakage, can bind the mechanism, which does not allow the measure to return fully, thus giving low charges. It is not fun pulling 80 rounds down when you discover this...

I have simply learned to live with a little leaking. I don't know how bad CFE Pistol does, but if you can't mitigate it, you might want to consider a different measure. I only have experience with Lee, but someone with experience in finer powders will probably be along shortly with recommendations.

 

[Monac]

Should this be moved to a different forum, like revolvers or reloading?

 

[TTv2]

When it comes to a fine powder I think the solution is to avoid powder measures or any on press powder thrower and instead use an automatic powder dispenser that measures each charge. Slower, yes, but it will be more accurate and you won't get any leakage. When I got the Lee PPM I ran every powder I have through it and the flake powders did well, but not Accurate #9.

 

[ShootMeStraight]

One of the reasons I made the switch from HP-38 to Unique for 9 and 45 and from H110 to 2400 in 357, 44 and 500. I have 5 Lee Auto Drum’s and they all leak fine powder some worse than others.

 

[mdi]

I have a PPM and when using a fine ball powder I'll tighten the tension screw tight enough to reduce leaking, but not so tight as to hinder drum movement (but I don't/won't charge powders on the press). Many users will also lap the drum in the cavity/measure body. I also have a nice C-H 502 ($$) but it too will leak a bit when using WC 820. Most of the time when using WC 820 I'm weighing all charges so it's not a huge problem as even though there is leakage, the charges are consistent. I usually place a piece of printer paper under the powder measure to catch the spilled powder and return it to the jug...

 

[ericuda]

Use a lee autodisk.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

The drum insert in your powder measure - is it one of the early smooth ones ? They were a known problem.

The 2.0 design has a milled surface, doesn't have as much of a problem with the fine powders.

 

[kmw1954]

I have one of the early Drum measures and it has been back to Lee Twice. Both times it locked up and jumped the gear. Also was reported to leak badly. When I received it back the 3rd time there was a list of parts they replaced and there were also different drums. The originals were the very smooth/shiny ones. The last ones are the ones that look like they have been turned in a machine and are not shiny. I now run AA#2, AA#5, HP-38 and Ramshot Silhouette thru it with no leakage and the AA and Silhouette powders are a much finer grained powder than the HP-38.

Also using the Auto Drum with AA#2 and the Silhouette I am holding a 0 to -.05gr of these powders. It is very rare to a charge that is above the set point.

 

[RockRat64]

Mine leaked bullseye a little when I got it. The instructions say not to tighten it too much. However I read people saying sometimes to give it some good torque. So that's what I did and it helped cut it to basically none.

 

[buck460XVR]

Known problem with the Lee Auto drum. Buck up for a better measure or put up with the leakage. Aggravation over years of use would to me, warrant getting a better measure, long before I'd consider giving up my powders of choice for ones that don't leak from a low quality powder measure.

I spill more powder in one reloading session than has ever leaked from my RCBS Uniflow, and it is just a middle of the road measure. As for weighing each and every charge with a

an automatic powder dispenser that measures each charge

when reloading high amounts of handgun ammo? Never happen.

This looks to be a pretty decent powder measure for less than Lee Auto Drum........I'm considering getting one just for a back-up.......https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012718949?pid=573642

 

[Rule3]

I guess I have the only Lee auto drum that doesn't leak. My Auto discs didn't leak either.
Tighten it snug but don't use a pipe wrench on it

 

[sparkyv]

I did this to one LADPM which is now dedicated to H110:

I have a PPM and when using a fine ball powder I'll tighten the tension screw tight enough to reduce leaking, but not so tight as to hinder drum movement (but I don't/won't charge powders on the press). Many users will also lap the drum in the cavity/measure body

I've found that some drum inserts work better than others on my second LADPM for AA#9 and other powders.

 

[drband]

Make sure the drum and housing are totally clean of any powder residue. (I use an old paint brush to clean all bearing surfaces.) Even a single stray grain can prevent the drum from seating well. Assemble and tighten the drum down while actuating the measure until the drum fails to return to the top. Then loosen tension just enough for the drum to function properly. I have early models of the LAD and extra drums and they function quite well with practically no leakage with AA#2 powder. The early drums worked better as they “seated” with use. Sounds like the newer machined drums have eliminated the leakage issue, though.

 

[RealGun]

Recently received another set of drums, and they have a different surface finish. I will reserve those as much as possible for finer powders, especially the Belgians. Meanwhile, I would recommend Bullseye for your ordinary 38 Specials.

 

[Targa]

My auto drum leaks H110 with every pull of the handle, I have tried all the tricks and five different drums. It is what it is I guess. Now with flake powder like Universal it doesn’t leak at all.