Using the Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder measure for Rifle Cartridges

[Lone_Gunman]

I have been using the Pro Auto Disk attached to a Classic Turret Press for loading handgun rounds like 45 ACP and 38 Special, but would like to venture into loading some rifle rounds like 308 Winchester and 45-70 Government.

The rifle rounds require a lot more powder than the handgun rounds. The use more powder than the Pro Auto disk can dispense.

I have looked at some of Lee's info and they talk about stacking disks. Does this work well?

Would I be better off using some other powder dispenser for large charges in cartridges like 45-70?

Keep in mind I want to be able to continue to use the turret press. Is there something better thant I could use that would work with a turret press?

 

[Lennyjoe]

Yes, stacking discs is fine. I use a double disk conversion kit to load .223 bulk range ammo and it works just fine.

You will need longer screws for the hopper when adding a second disc. There is a bit of math involved when working powder charges but its pretty easy. I suggest using a 5-0-5 or electronic measure to check the first charge to see if its in your target range. Sometimes the math doesn't add up.

Also, I use the universal charge die for rifle loads. You can get them pretty cheap from Midwayusa or on e-bay. Fits the autodisc just fine and can load from .223 all the way up.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Lenny, will it work for large charges, say 40+ grains?

 

[Lennyjoe]

I use two low number discs to get 26gr of H-335 in my range loads. I'm pretty sure you could get up to 40gr's. Now if you were trying to get 56 or so grains in an -06 you might be pushing the limit.

Which powder are you using? After I get back from the field shooting doves tomorrow morning I'll see how much I can get thru it if I have the same powder you plan on using.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I don't have my load books in front of me right now, but I was thinking about 3031 and Varget.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Can I attach the Lee perfect powder measure to the Turret press? Would that work better for large charges.

 

[snuffy]

This is NOT a dirrect answer to your question, but an option for you to consider.



This Hornady case activated measure/die combo would work on any loader that takes standard 7/8-14 dies. It would work on the lee turret too. Those pics are of the old style CAD, they have a new one that works with their new powder through dies.

It's use shown there is for .223, but I also loaded .308 with the same set up. Although not a cheap combo, it would be money well spent.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=290524

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_se...&category_id=b55bb80c7bf4e0a31d16d4a3e087c72d

 

[wrangler5]

The Lee Double Disk kit comes with an extensive table of powder densities and cavity combinations to achieve a wide range of total volumes. In my experience I need to go up one or two increments from what the table says will be the desired volume for a particular load of a particular powder. Once properly set up, though, I find the double disk to be VERY consistent when feeding ball powders (I use mine to load 2230 in 223 cases.)

Of the rifle powders I've used in larger rounds (30-30, 308, 30-06, etc.) Lee shows IMR 4895 as giving 21.6g out of the largest (1.57) disk cavity, so stacking two of those would give a maximun calculated charge of around 43.2g. I don't know how reliable the disks would be with stick powders, though.

Lone Gunman, the Perfect measure depends on a chain to cycle the handle back to the starting position after the powder charge is dropped in a case. I don't think there's a way to make a chain reset system work on a turret press - that's why the Lee disk measures have a spring. If you put a disk measure on a regular progressive press, where the head and ram are always in the same relative position, you can get a chain reset system for the disks, but i don't think you can go the other way and put a spring on a Perfect measure. The Lee catalog shows the Universal Charging Die adapter (which you need to put a Perfect measure on a press) with only a pull back chain, no spring.

 

[MCgunner]

I load .308 and 7.62x39 with the Lee double disc system.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I have some Varget and will see what I can get in a 30-06 case but it will have to wait til tomorrow. I just got back in from the bush scouting for this falls hunt and am beat. 5 hours on back country roads that I didn't think I could do in a full size Bronco much less than an ATV. Brutal roads out there but we seen plenty of deer to get excited about the Oct/Nov hunt.

I'll hook you up tomorrow if thats ok.

Can I attach the Lee perfect powder measure to the Turret press

I don't believe its possible.

 

[Uncle Don]

To be honest, I use it for all rifle, the only difference is that I divide the charge in two or three depending, find the disc that gives that amount and then charge the case three times. I find this safe because with rifle, I tend to batch load anyway so I can look in each and every case in the loading block before I start seating bullets. I've also used this technique when I was shooting for groups and still was able to stay under MOA without any problem.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Finally got a chance to run some Varget thru the double disc.

By using a pair of 1.57 disc holes I got a max load of 44.5gr of Varget out of the hopper using a universal rifle charging die in the Lee Autodisc. The 1.57 is the biggest bushing that comes with the disc. That is unless Lee offers something bigger but that's all I have.

 

[GooseGestapo]

The double disc system works well on cases up to the size of .308wcf. On larger cases it dosen't work as well as the largest cavity (1.57) doubled just dosen't throw enough powder.

I've loaded .223 with a double disc and BL-C2, and loads would shoot 1/2" or less from a rifle so capable.