Lee Disk Powder Measure Question

Hello,

I was given permission to dig around at the local gunstore in the reloading supplies. They're not really into reloading, so it's hard to tell what I'd find. I was really looking for boolits. Struck out on that.

But I walked out with

200 (all they had) Remington large pistol primers - $6, fair. :P

Inertia boolit puller - $5 :P

and...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/reloading/th_autodisk1.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/reloading/?action=view&current=autodisk1.jpg)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/reloading/th_autodisk2.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/reloading/?action=view&current=autodisk2.jpg)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/reloading/th_autodisk3.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b191/WabashShootist/Guns/reloading/?action=view&current=autodisk3.jpg)

...new, unopened, for $20 :D (go ahead, you can hate me ;) )

Anyway, got me a question on the thing.

The instructions say that Accurate #5 (ball powder) is supposed to drop 7.9 grains using hole .49.

Did a bunch of measurements, and this is what I came up with for hole .49:

1. 7.50
2. 7.30
3. 7.25
4. 7.30
5. 7.45
6. 7.45
7. 7.55
8. 7.35
9. 7.25
10. 7.40

Each measurement was taken from a different resized, deprimed and primed case. In other words, I didn't use a case twice in a row, figuring the OAL would have changed a bit due to belling the mouth.

This is the single disk model, not the double disk (though I figure I'll upgrade).

Could also be my scale; I took the pan off a couple times, shifted the contents around, and would get a different reading. (It's a Lee beam scale).

So, what are your thoughts? Is this type of accuracy acceptable for a drop measure like the Lee? Should I maybe invest in a digital scale?

I'd like to know for sure what I'm dropping, esp if I start to approach max loads (I'm still down a bit below starting charges, right now).

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Josh <><

The autodisk will not throw at its most consistent until you have ran a few hoppers of powder through it. after that I find that mine, even with flakey powder like 700x will stay within .1-.2 grains. That being said, this is not something that you should be using if approaching Max loads. I wouldnt use any powder measure by any manufacturer if I was at max or loading over it. Too risky.

Factory Sales sells the autodisk for $21.20 thru their online store (just bought one and a Classic Turret today myself) What I've read tells me that the Lee chart will almost always have you selecting slightly under the actual grain charge you want to throw, so pick the next larger hole and weigh that charge. I found a neat MTM DS-1250 digital scale online for about $30. Works great and is easier for me to read than the Lee balance.

Factory Sales sells the autodisk for $21.20 thru their online store
The problem with them is that sometimes when you order it will take 4-6 weeks to get what you ordered. If you do some searches you will see people complaining about the order and shipping time. I paid 25 for mine through midway when I bought it. I figured it was worth the extra 5 to have it in 48 hours.

I'm using the .49 setting on my Auto Disk with AA #5 also under a 200gr LRNFP .45ACP. When I weighed out my first 10 charges when I set up the press, it varied from 7.85-7.95 weighed on a Lyman scale. Make sure your scale is absoultely level on both axes.

Thanks. I'll dig up a small level tomorrow. I'm sure I have one around here.

Josh <><

Lee autodisks are finicky. Unless it's an auto trickler, I've found that most powder throws are finicky.

Most times, I use the "hole" that is one step above what is prescribed for a particular powder in the chart. Then . . . this sounds weird . . . I lightly tap the top of the hopper a few times, then bell and charge the case. Example with 45 ACP and Bullseye: Case goes in shellholder, 6 taps to the top of hte hopper, bell and charge. I can throw 5.0 gr almost every time and am never over, but on rare occasion, 0.1 gr under (4.9). I do not get as good a result with larger flaked powders. There I typically just use the Auto Disk to get me close in the case, then trickle to get my charge . . . but I'm anal.

On scales . . . beams are great, but digitals are easier.

Hmm, got the exact same thing new in box for $9 at an estate sale. :P

Anyway, the AutoDisk throws light because it measures volume not weight; weight of a given volume may change depending on humidity and temperature so Lee makes the disks to throw the charge based on the VMI and never exceed it even in worst case scenario. So if it is optimal conditions it will throw light. I am pleased that the Lee disks throw very repeatably.

Hello,

I've observed something strange.

I weighed 5 charges from each metering hole and averaged them.

The average came out extremely close (+/- .20gn) to what the chart says it should throw for Accurate #7. I have Accurate #5. I bought it new and unopened.

Maybe they went and changed the grain size, or something like that, on Accurate #5 in the time since the data was published?

Ideas?

Thanks,

Josh <><

I use the auto-disk with Hodgdon Universal for my pistol reloading and it stays within + 0.1gr. I periodically check to make sure the hopper is tight while reloading. I have had it come loose one time while reloading .223 and had to redo a few rounds. Mine measures + 0.2gr when using Hodgdon H335.

get some powder graphite & treat it with it , it will be more consistent.
wear disposable gloves when you do this.
don`t ask how i know!!

GP100man

Mr. Smith are you switching powders? You said---Accurate #7---Accurate #5---?

Gp100man said: ....get some powder graphite & treat it with it , it will be more consistent....

Don't know about graphite, but powdered mica from Frankfort Arsenal, (it's used in their case neck lubricator system) works great on my Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure. A light dusting on the base and the sliding disk and it's good to go.

(For those not familiar with Lee products, the Auto Disk and the Pro Auto disk are vary similar - both use the sliding disk with "metered" holes".)

Mr. Smith are you switching powders? You said---Accurate #7---Accurate #5---?

It's Accurate #5, but throwing charges like are listed for Accurate #7.

Josh <><

I just started reloading literally yesterday. I have a Lee Turret with the AutoDisk. The press is great. I can't get the scale to balance at all. I'm looking for the MTM scale mentioned above.

Question: should I have powder all over the table after loading about 50 rounds? It is about enough to fill another cartridge. I swept it up and washed it down the sink. I didn't think vacuuming would be a very good idea!

I bought my MTM DS-1250 from this site, but it is sold in a wide variety of places on the 'net.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00008DS1250

I suspect there may be an adjusting screw someplace on the disk measure assembly to tighten up the mechanism and prevent it leaking powder? I dunno myself, mine is still on backorder along with my turret press.

I'm a long term Lee products user--in fact, I have four Autodisk Measures, of varying types and upgrades. Cinteal gave a good overview for using the Lee measures, particularly with the disks. And the "graphite" tip is a good one--which you can accomplish simply by loading up a bunch of #5.

FWIW--

1. I quit using the disks about two months after I bought the first measure--got an (aftermarket, at that time) adjustable charge bar--and I've since upgraded to the Lee ACB for the handgun loads. Using the charge bar allows one to simply weigh your charges and set up accordingly, without all the interpolations, etc., for VMI, and (IMO) reduces the liklikhood of error in reading and calculation using the Lee charts.

Adjustable charge bars are, IMO, repeatably accurate to +/-1 .1 grain, esp. with AA#5--which I load a lot. When you load the hopper, tap it several times to settle the powder (any powder); this helps you get off to consistent drops.

Be sure to run at least ten charges before you start measuring and adjusting. Double-check the tightness of your hopper attachment screws--they need to be tweaked so the return spring operation never hangs up.

2. AA#5 "leaks" a bit in the Autodisks--and there's no fix for this. The leakage is at the actuator bar slot, and makes for "messiness," but not erratic charging.

3. Should you want to expend the money, upgrade to the "Deluxe / Pro--i.e., the round hopper with the polymer wipes on it.


The Lee Scale works fine for me--but I have long ago adapted to double-checking the balance point (blade) set in the pivot--it's easy to have it "off" slightly.

Big tip: When adjusting the verneir scale, leave the "friction pin" depressed, pick up the beam and hold it in both hands--then use your thumbnails on either side of the slider to adjust the charge setting.

I have to pick it up to get it to work with my eyes--and it just makes it much easier to make .1 gr. adjustments by using the technique above.

I use this scale instead of my Lyman505 because of space requirements--but everytime I double-check it, with either the Lyman or the SR750, they all coincide.

There is another good cheap scale out there, the SmartReloader SR 750. See Midsouth--about $21-25.00. Has a blue display, is fast, and very consistent (at least with fresh batteries).

Jim H.

Question: should I have powder all over the table after loading about 50 rounds? It is about enough to fill another cartridge. I swept it up and washed it down the sink. I didn't think vacuuming would be a very good idea!
No you shouldn't have that much. Do you have the auto or pro auto? I have the pro auto and after loading hundreds of rounds have a few granules on the base of the press but not that much.
Rusty

I use the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure with my LCT and it works great. Like has been said before, just jump up one hole size to get the desired powder charge, but always weight the charge before proceeding to make sure the measure is throwing correctly. You should then be set to go, still weighing periodically.
I use the ACB (adjustable charge bar) for loads which fall between what you can attain by using one hole vs. the next.
I think this is a great system!

Thank you, all.

Ditto on the few granules vs the mess the poster has.

For spills, I keep a potted plant by the reloading setup. It just loves its gunpowder - which doubles as fertilizer. Just nitrocellulose. :)

Josh <><