Suggestions for Turret-Mounted Powder Measure?

[Grunt81]

Good morning to my fellow reloaders,

I've been reloading for about 7 months now and have loaded close to 7,000 rounds of 9mm and .223 REM. I started on a Lee hand press and have recently upgraded to a Lyman T Mag 2 Turret press. I am still using the Lee dies so I do have a Lee Powder-through Expanding die.
Thus far, I've weighed every charge on a Frankford arsenal digital scale. Yesterday, I was loading 9mm for three to people to shoot before a range trip and decided that was the last straw. I was aiming for 3.8 grains for CFE Pistol under 147 grain Xtreme round nose. This takes forever! I have to estimate about 1/2 of the 0.5cc Lee dipper and try to trickle from there.

I've decided that for as busy as I am and as much as I like to shoot, it's time to mount a powder measure on my expanding die

It's not a possibility for me to mount a powder measure on my bench, it must be mounted on the turret.

I've looked into the Lee Pro auto disk and like the price, but there are mixed reviews about it leaking powder, and having smaller disk volumes than their data says is supposed to hold.

It's not mandatory for the powder measure to be case-activated, I don't mind lifting a handle (I always physically look into the case to ensure powder is there before seating a bullet). I'm aware that it is good practice to check the consistencies of every 10th round. I'm also aware that it is possible for me to get a different expanding die with a different powder measure from another manufacturer. But before I drop the $$$ on that, I wanted to check with the guys that have been reloading a lot longer I have.

I will be using ball powders such as Power Pistol, CFE 223 and CFE Pistol, spherical powders such as American Select and Unique, and extruded powders such as Varget, Reloader 15, and AR Comp (I'll be probably end up weighing all of these extruded ones anyway).

So what turret-mounted powder measure do you all have good experience with and can recommend for me?

Thanks!

 

[Grunt81]

I don't mean to be long-winded, but I'd rather give more details than not. Thanks again.

 

[Grunt81]

BTT

 

[SEDurbin]

The Lee Pro auto disk works fine for me.

 

[Grunt81]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've got a few questions:

Is it mounted on your expanding die? When you measure it against a digital scale, how consistent is it? What type of powders are you using?

 

[BruceB]

For many years, perhaps 25 or more, I have mounted my RCBS Uniflow measure IN A TURRET STATION of my Lyman turret press.

The Uniflow is threaded 7/8x14 threads per inch, exactly the same as a loading die. No need for a special die for installation of the measure. (I believe the Lyman #55 measure is likewise threaded, but I'm not certain.)

In use, I rotate the turret from station-to-station for EVERY ROUND. This means that an empty case is placed at the sizing die, and it is sized, de-primed and re-primed there.

The turret is then rotated to the flaring die (handgun/straight-cased rounds), where the mouth is expanded.

Then the turret is moved to the powder measure station to receive the charge, and finally clicked to the last station for bullet seating and crimping as necessary.

Charge consistency is obtained by consistent and uniform operation of the measure,

I tap the handle against the upper stop three times to make certain that the chamber is completely full. Then I tap the handle against the lower stop a couple MORE times to ensure the dropping of the full charge. It doesn't really matter exactly what routine you use, but it must be consistent from round-to-round.

This routine yields about 150-200 rounds per hour without much effort, and is a huge improvement over the "batch" technique, wherein ALL the brass is run through one step before proceeding to the next step in loading.

Also, note that as soon as a session begins, LOADED AMMUNITION is coming off the press. No more of this spending hours running brass through the preliminary steps before finishing even a single round. We have usable ammunition RIGHT NOW.

 

[Grunt81]

Useable ammunition RIGHT NOW! I like your style.

That's exactly why upgraded to the turret press and now want a powder measure.

Have you ever used the Lyman #55 or any other brand? How do they compare to the RCBS with different types of powder. I'm not after the best powder measure that exists, but I am after the best powder measure for the money that is within 0.1 grains every time, when I use the same technique every time.

I have all six of my dies set up, with the exception of my universal decapper that I do in a different step before tumbling. I like the idea of flaring and charging in one step, as that would mean less fiddling with unscrewing dies. I think $10-$15 is worth that.

 

[ksimons]

I have 2 Lyman #55 powder measures and use them all the time. One is almost 40 years old and I bought a new one about a year ago. I have one set up for pistol and the other for rifle. I have it mounted to a Lyman expander / pass through die and it just take one less turn of my old Spar-T.

 

[Grunt81]

I have 2 Lyman #55 powder measures and use them all the time. One is almost 40 years old and I bought a new one about a year ago. I have one set up for pistol and the other for rifle. I have it mounted to a Lyman expander / pass through die and it just take one less turn of my old Spar-T.

Thanks for the pics! What is the consistency like with different powders when you measure them against a balance beam or digital scale?

 

[ljnowell]

I have used a lee auto disk with adjustable charge bar for six years. It's loaded well over 10k per year. Never a problem with it. It even metered 700x well enough to work(that stuff is like corn flakes in a can).

 

[ksimons]

Thanks for the pics! What is the consistency like with different powders when you measure them against a balance beam or digital scale?

I would say 85% of the time spot on and others .1grain. I usually check every 10 or so drops with a digital scale I have my original beam scale and back in the day it was good. But a good digital is all I use now.

 

[Potatohead]

I use the pro Auto Disk on my Lee Classic Turret. I dont have many complaints about it to be honest. It's very consistent. It's serving me very well now that Ive moved to loading 223 also. I do hear it has problems dropping small charges of flaky powders. i have very little powder leakage. Just a tiny bit every now and again.

 

[Grunt81]

ljnowell, Your signature is hilarious! I'll probably post that on facebook one of these days...So your'e saying you have the original one with the disks? Huh, honestly, I wasn't even considering that one because I thought the prices was too low for it to be a good one.

 

[Grunt81]

I use the pro Auto Disk on my Lee Classic Turret. I dont have many complaints about it to be honest. It's very consistent. It's serving me very well now that Ive moved to loading 223 also. I do hear it has problems dropping small charges of flaky powders. i have very little powder leakage. Just a tiny bit every now and again.

When you say consistent, just how much so? If I buy the pro auto disk with micrometer thingy, and the double disk set, that's going to run me about $63. Might as well get a lyman or RCBS for $83?

I've read before that there can be up to a 0.6 grain difference between disks, if my preferred charge for a 9mm is right in the middle, I think 0.3 grains might be a little too much for comfort. What are you thoughts on that?

 

[ksimons]

I would like others to tell us how consistent other powder measures are. I just don't know. I know my Lyman has a thumper on it and I don't see others with one. I know they say making sure to use the same motions when using them is important. I have always wondered how the progressive rigs do? What is an expectable variation? I wounded the same with factory loads.

I don't mean to hijack and sorry if you think so.

 

[greyling22]

I haven't tried it with 223, but I have used several lee autodisk powder measures. The pro version leaks less than the regular one, but tiny ball powders like acc #5 still made quite a mess. I just live with it. Large flake powders do not meter particularly well for me, especially with smaller volumes.

As far as dropping exact amounts of powder, well you just to have to settle for "close enough". you might want 4.3 but only having the options of dropping 4.1 or 4.5grns of powder X. I've never found that to be a dealbreaker though. Generally the weak link in my accuracy with a handgun is my grip and eyes, not a minor deviation from the powder charge I really wanted. And yes, if the literature says hole .47 should be dropping 4.4 grns of powder X, my scale will typically say I am actually getting a little less. So I either move up 1 size hole or live with it. Usually I live with it, though I suppose you could carefully enlarge the hole a bit with a dremel tool.

I am using a pro auto disk with acc 2520 in my 30/30. It was delivering -/+.15 grain variations. I group 5 shots under 1" at 100yds with a 7x scope and a marlin 336 using a gas checked bullet, so that variation can't mean all that much practically. Heck, my bullets have more variation to them than that. Have you ever weighed your bullets? They're all over the map. I've got jacketed 223's that say 55grn on the box and weigh anywhere from 56 to 52. They shoot like gangbusters through.

 

[Grunt81]

I would like others to tell us how consistent other powder measures are. I just don't know. I know my Lyman has a thumper on it and I don't see others with one. I know they say making sure to use the same motions when using them is important. I have always wondered how the progressive rigs do? What is an expectable variation? I wounded the same with factory loads.

I don't mean to hijack and sorry if you think so.

If ever there was a highjack, this is the way to do it lol.

 

[Grunt81]

I haven't tried it with 223, but I have used several lee autodisk powder measures. The pro version leaks less than the regular one, but tiny ball powders like acc #5 still made quite a mess. I just live with it. Large flake powders do not meter particularly well for me, especially with smaller volumes.

As far as dropping exact amounts of powder, well you just to have to settle for "close enough". you might want 4.3 but only having the options of dropping 4.1 or 4.5grns of powder X. I've never found that to be a dealbreaker though. Generally the weak link in my accuracy with a handgun is my grip and eyes, not a minor deviation from the powder charge I really wanted. And yes, if the literature says hole .47 should be dropping 4.4 grns of powder X, my scale will typically say I am actually getting a little less. So I either move up 1 size hole or live with it. Usually I live with it, though I suppose you could carefully enlarge the hole a bit with a dremel tool.

I am using a pro auto disk with acc 2520 in my 30/30. It was delivering -/+.15 grain variations. I group 5 shots under 1" at 100yds with a 7x scope and a marlin 336 using a gas checked bullet, so that variation can't mean all that much practically. Heck, my bullets have more variation to them than that. Have you ever weighed your bullets? They're all over the map. I've got jacketed 223's that say 55grn on the box and weigh anywhere from 56 to 52. They shoot like gangbusters through.

Thanks for that informative reply. I've weighed my Nosler 69 grain HPBT and variation is very minimal. Most of them ar 69.1 gr. I don't like the idea of a leaky hopper. I'm considering just forking out the $24 or so for the Perfect Powder Measure, just to get my feet wet. Reviews are all over the place. If I decide it sucks, then I'm only out $24. But if it works well, then I save $60

Right now, it's between the Lyman #55, the RCBS Uniflow, and the Hornaday LNL.
I would need the capability to measure between 3.8 grains and up to 48 grains. Are any of these capable of that with out having to change out the micrometer for a large one?

 

[USMAGator]

I have zero complaints about my Auto Disk and Pro Auto Disk measures (currently have 3). They leak some with fine ball powders like H110 or WC844, but not enough to make a mess around my loading area. With Win 231 and Bullseye I see next to zero leakage. Charges don't vary more than +/- .1gr from the target load one the powder is settled in the hopper (I dump the first 5 charges back in the hopper to be sure it's settled). I use a double disk kit for loading 223 Rem using WC844 surplus powder, and charges vary +/- .2gr from my target weight of 24.8gr. For my uses, the Pro Auto Disk is plenty accurate and reliable, and is sooo much faster than weighing every charge.

 

[greyling22]

I'm using the perfect powder measure. Used it today for 223 in fact. For stick powders it kind of sucks. With a spherical ball powder it works great. I can load 22.5 grns of ramshot x-terminator with -/+ .1 variation all day long. I have it mounted to a small board that I C-clamp to the table. any table. I used to do it at the coffee table till I knocked a loading block of cases onto the rug. Then the wife made my find a new place for it.

RL-19 didn't meter so well (accurate enough, but it did not operate smoothly or meter as precisely as the ball powders), but varget, blc-2, acc 2 & 5, and the ramshot powders meter great. h-4895 is acceptable, but not stellar. I don't know if a fancier dispenser would meter any better though, as you still wind up trying to cut those long stick powders..... That said, if I ever happen across a more expensive meter at a great deal I would pick one up.

 

[sustratiotes]

I'm using the Pro Disk for 30-06, 38 Sp, 9 mm, and 380. It's working great with Bullseye, Unique, HP38, Varget, and 4064. Take the micrometer disk out of the equation in your price comparison - it puts the drop hole too far away from the tube to get consistent results. You can find work arounds involving filling the end of the micrometer disk with Epoxy, JB weld, etc to move the hole closer to the drop tube, or using one of the regular disks, drill and 'tap' a screw that enters the hole from the side that allows adjustment of the amount of screw entering the hole to reduce the cavity size. There are also 'blank' disks with just a small pilot hole to drill your own on ebay. I haven't used any of the work arounds and am loading light 380 loads with the standard disks. YMMV, but just wanted to mention that I'm getting by without using the micrometer disk if that changes your comparison.

 

[shooter1]

I have a Dillon 650 with two measures. For reloading pistol rounds, I use the Lee Pro Auto Disk on the tool head. I have duplicate turrets set up on my Lee Classic 4 hole turret. I use my Dillon measures with the large powder bar for loading rifle. I've ended up with 5 of the the Lee Pro Auto Disk measures mounted on tool heads and turrets. Guess you could say I'm happy with them. I bought the first one I saw, so I've been using them for a while. I also have a Uniflow and a Lee Perfect measure that rarely get used. The auto disk works good in pistol charge volumes as long as you are loading 3gn or larger charges if using large flake powders like Red Dot. As others have said, consistent operation of the press gives the most repeatable results. I start by throwing 10 charges in the scale pan to average and return to the hopper. The average for the 10 charges is within a tenth or so of the target weight. That's about as accurate as you can get without weighing and trickling powder. I've had insignificant powder leakage with any of my measures.
str1

 

[lbs]

http://www.uniquetek.com/site/696296/product/T1370
cheap alternative

 

[Grunt81]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I've been weighing my options and it seems that there are a lot of people that use the pro auto disk on progressive presses. Since I already have Lee dies, the pro auto disk should just screw in to the top of my expander die, so I wouldn't have to buy a separate adapter. I also like that the powder is automatically dispensed in the same motion when I flare the case mouth. Case-activated powder dispensers are pretty pricy from other manufacturers. I'm a firm believer in, "don't knock it till you try it."

I just went ahead and ordered the Lee Pro auto disk powder measure and the Lee Precision Charge Bar. The charge bar had mixed reviews but mostly good ones. I spent $56 on amazon prime.

The biggest case I currently load for is .223. I think the biggest disk holds 1.6cc or around there. I'm not sure if that is big enough to charge my .223 cases. I've used AR Comp, CFE 223, Varget, and Reloader 15. Is there anyway to use the charge bar in conjunction with the disks or is it a one or the other type of deal?

 

[RealGun]

Is there anyway to use the charge bar in conjunction with the disks or is it a one or the other type of deal?

If you don't want to settle for approximating your desired charge (closest cc or fraction supported), you can drill out one of the holes. You should order the double disk kit, which includes a spacer (set) for the hopper.