[bender]

this may be a dumb question, but can the Lee 3-die pistol caliber sets be used without the Auto Disk Measure? Lee says their sets use a "powder-thru expander die". I use an electronic dispenser and don't want to have a measure attached to the expander die.

[RustyFN]

You don't have to have a powder measure. You can put a funnel in the top of the powder expander die and when you bell the case dump the powder in while the case in the die.
Rusty

[Uncle Don]

Or, you can put the hex top on the die and use it strictly as a flaring die. However, I think the ability to use it with the auto disk is what makes them so handy.

[JDGray]

I use the red lee funnel method while loading my 32s. My Auto Disc won't throw 2.5gr W231, but my perfect powder measure will.:)

[bender]

I have lots of Lee die sets, and I used to use the Auto Disk back in the 1980s and 90s, but I am now using a T-Mag turret press. I do the preliminary steps, resize, expand & prime, and after I have a loading block of 50 ready for powder, then I use my Chargemaster 1500 for that.
Or, you can put the hex top on the die and use it strictly as a flaring die.
this is what I was wondering about. Does it come with some kind of "top plug" so you can expand without having the Lee measure screwed in the die?

edit: If my old Lee die sets came with a top for the expand dies, I don't have them anymore. I replaced some of the Lee powder thru expanders with other brands. I was wondering if the new Lee die sets they came with something to use in place of the auto disk measure.

[JDGray]

All lee pistol dies come with the powder through plug, their funnel fits it like a glove.:)

I have an extra if you need one, drop me a PM

[bender]

I guess over the years I lost the "plugs" that came with my Lee dies sets. I used to reload up until around the early 1990s, then I left the shooting hobby for quite a while. Recently I started up reloading again.

My Powder-thru expander dies have "open tops" so I had to screw in my old Auto Disc even though I don't use it anymore. So I replaced a few Lee expanders with Lyman ones or others.

I need a die set for .40S&W and I'd like to get a Lee set, so that's why I was wondering... Thanks!

[Lovesbeer99]

I'm losing something here. I have the lee set in 38/357 and I don't plug anything. I don't use the flair die for pouring powder as I measure every charge, but why would I need to plug it? I just leave it open.

[JDGray]

The plug is on there, it has a hole through it though. If you remove it, nothing will hold the expander in, to flare. If you use the auto disc measure, you remove the plug and replace it with the powder measure.:)

[Lovesbeer99]

I knew that. I was just testing you.

[JDGray]

Surrrrre!:D

[RustyFN]

Good job JD you passed.:D
Rusty