What's a step up from a Lee Auto Drum?

[AZAndy]

My dispenser will throw 5.5 grains of Unique all day, but if I try to get 6.5, I can't do it. I got the charge set, or so I thought, and it dropped 6.5 a couple of times in a row. I thought I'd check it one last time before I started actually loading, because I like to see three right in a row, and got:
6.3
6.6
6.4
6.5
6.5

Aha! Finally got it! Let's see if I can get three in a row... no. Next charges were:
6.9
6.7
6.6
6.6
6.7
6.5
6.8
6.4

I can live with a tenth off either way, but not four tenths. I'm thinking I should replace the measure with something better, but what would that be? I've already disassembled the thing and wiped the insides with an antistatic sheet, and there's nothing mechanically wrong with it that I can see.

 

[drband]

Maybe try a different drum?

Any powder leakage? If so tighten down the thumb screw a bit. It will also affect the cycling speed of the drum slightly.

It’s also possible the thumbscrew is too tight, preventing the drum from fully returning to the up/fill position. That might cause some drop variations. Just thinking out loud. Let us know how it works out.

FYI I used my Autodrum with Unique a lot from 6.5-10.5 when working up light to medium loads in .44mag. No issues in drop consistency.

I suspect there’s a mechanical issue somewhere you’ve not isolated yet.

 

[AZAndy]

Maybe try a different drum?

Any powder leakage? If so tighten down the thumb screw a bit. It will also affect the cycling speed of the drum slightly.

It’s also possible the thumbscrew is too tight, preventing the drum from fully returning to the up/fill position. That might cause some drop variations. Just thinking out loud. Let us know how it works out.

FYI I used my Autodrum with Unique a lot from 6.5-10.5 when working up light to medium loads in .44mag. No issues in drop consistency.

I suspect there’s a mechanical issue somewhere you’ve not isolated yet.

Thanks for the idea on the thumbscrew, I'll loosen it a bit and try again (no leakage at this point).

 

[RealGun]

Make sure there is no O-ring on top of any riser, because the powder measure has and retains its own for that fitting. Otherwise you may not get complete or consistent activation.

 

[Dudedog]

Unique is not known for good metering.

Might be something going on with your measure but more likely just the powder.
If you haven't already you can try tapping the measure before you drop the charge, might or might not help.
With the Lee Pro disk when trying to throw about 4.5 gr the best I could get was about + or - .2. (note disk not drum, know OP was asking about the drum measure)
I just loaded for the + .2 side of the swing.
Unique shot well for me but I haven't purchased any more recently, to many other powders out there that shoot just as well and meter better.

 

[snakeye]

Personally if your looking for a powder drop to solve a Unique metering issue good luck...all powder measures experience issues with Unique and other large flake powders

 

[LiveLife]

I solved my occasional upto .4 gr Unique metering problem by switching to BE-86, powder I consider the "Modern Unique" that meters well. Now I can consistently meter with .1 gr variance.

I did pick up another bottle of Unique recently to use as reference powder for powder testing threads and hoping C-H 502 micrometer powder measure will meter it better than Dillon, Lee Perfect Powder or Pro Auto Disk.

 

[warnerwh]

Going a consistent speed when loading can make a difference sometimes. I've also heard of people tapping the powder reservoir regularly too.

 

[Tilos]

Unless I missed it, you don't mention what press you are using or if you have a riser under the Auto Drum.
I found a riser made a big difference.

 

[someguy2800]

I have found the auto drum needs to be jostled a bit to consistently throw flake powders. For example if I just work the measure I might get a charge of 3.7 grains on average with 700x. If I actually work the turret around to all four stations on my classic turret between charges it will drop. 4.0 within .1 grains. When I'm setting up the drums I either work the turret around between throws or I shake the measure a bit between throws to settle the powder.

 

[grogetr]

When I set the screw on the drum I take the hopper off so I can see if the drum is lining up with the hole. If it's to tight the drum won't rotate all the way back, if it's to loose it will go past a little. How hard you let the handle come up can effect it also

 

[Blue68f100]

That's the reason I quit using Unique, metered like crap. It's just the nature of large flake powder. I moved to WSF which has a similar burn rate which will meter dead on since it's a ball powder.

I've tried all the different fixes, none of them got me less than ±0.2gr. I base accuracy on a min of 10 drops. I could randomly get 3 but the 4th one may be off my .3 gr.....

Good luck. The only thing that worked was a Auto Powder Dispenser, RCBS CM1500.

 

[Walkalong]

Unique shoots better than it measures. But I agree that BE-86 has probably knocked it out of the rotation for me.

 

[RealGun]

I don't shoot from a rest or use a chronograph, still in the box, so my loads with Unique perform close enough to the same that I never notice. Most of the time I am loading with a Lee AutoDisk measure (on a turret).

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Unique shoots better than it measures. But I agree that BE-86 has probably knocked it out of the rotation for me.

I've got 2 1-lb bottles of Unique that have been sitting unopened for several years.

However, the kegs of BE86 and Universal have sizeable dents put in the contents.

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

I had a worse spread than you listed. I called Lee and they warranties/upgraded for me. Unique shoots great and looks like death, but I’ve never had good look with metering it.

 

[ATLDave]

I don't think Unique meters well for anyone, though I have had slightly better luck than the OP with the old Auto Disk. I suspect it helps that it is on a Lee Classic Turret press, and so it gets jostled through 4 positions in between every throw. I tend to run that press relatively quickly in terms of handle/rotation speed, and so it gets a bit of a rough ride!

 

[walnut1704]

I've never been a fan of Unique, but I had a hard time throwing 700 X. The solution was a $7 aquarium pump strapped to the powder measure. I quit using the rubber bands and replaced them with a single velcro strap. The rubber bands break too often. Throws 700 -X +/- a tenth of a grain. I imagine it would work with Unique. A little bit of a hassle but not that bad. I've loaded thousands of .38 rounds this way. It'll get you through your stock at any rate.

 

[RealGun]

I've never been a fan of Unique, but I had a hard time throwing 700 X. The solution was a $7 aquarium pump strapped to the powder measure. I quit using the rubber bands and replaced them with a single velcro strap. The rubber bands break too often. Throws 700 -X +/- a tenth of a grain. I imagine it would work with Unique. A little bit of a hassle but not that bad. I've loaded thousands of .38 rounds this way. It'll get you through your stock at any rate.

View attachment 770410

I realized that would be on a stationery single stage. The same measure on a turret, on which that motor would be too heavy, seems to get enough agitation to yield pretty consistent throws.

 

[walnut1704]

I realized that would be on a stationery single stage. The same measure on a turret, on which that motor would be too heavy, seems to get enough agitation to yield pretty consistent throws.

Yeah, that would be a problem on a Turret. The weight might be an issue though they aren't very heavy, but you also have a power cord that would wind up as you loaded. But as you say with all the movement between charges when using a turret, it agitates itself. I have it mounted on a Dillon.

It's also easier to mount on the old rectangular-hopper auto-disk. Round hoppers would be a bit more difficult I guess. I've never tried it.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I've never had a problem with Unique metering, been loading it since about 1975, (last century).
You asked: "What is better than a Lee Auto Drum?" Answer: Almost anything.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[ATLDave]

You asked: "What is better than a Lee Auto Drum?" Answer: Almost anything.

Really? Not an Auto-Disk measure... an Auto-Drum? You have had a major problem with an Auto-Drum?

 

[RealGun]

I've never had a problem with Unique metering, been loading it since about 1975, (last century).
You asked: "What is better than a Lee Auto Drum?" Answer: Almost anything.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

That's a fun little piece of snark, but I wonder if you have tried the measure or just piled onto the disrespect for Lee products.

 

[k4swb]

I've never had a problem with Unique metering, been loading it since about 1975, (last century).
You asked: "What is better than a Lee Auto Drum?" Answer: Almost anything.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

When I read the OP's title I had this same thought, and yes I have tried almost all of Lee's measures and added fixes.
I still have and use the original auto-disk with the square hopper or the round one you can cut off. Threw all the rest away.

 

[RealGun]

When I read the OP's title I had this same thought, and yes I have tried almost all of Lee's measures and added fixes.
I still have and use the original auto-disk with the square hopper or the round one you can cut off. Threw all the rest away.

But have you tried the auto drum, which is the issue?