[Mainsail]

Some thoughts on my first 100 rounds.

I was having problems with the Pro Auto-disk. Every so often the disk wouldn’t slide the full travel, so the hole in the disk wasn’t lining up with the hole in the die. It seemed completely random with no pattern that I could notice. For some reason the case wasn’t pushing the whole contraption up enough. Thoughts? It didn’t seem to be shorting me on the powder, but it wasn’t making me comfortable. The whole process took a lot of time as I was weighing a lot more than I would if it was working like it was supposed to.

The disk itself was throwing 12.6 to 13.0, (mostly 12.7) and I’m wondering if that seems like a normal spread for the auto-disk. The min for the powder is 12.0 and the max is 13.5 so I’m comfortable that I was somewhat below the max.

So there it is. I have 100 rounds of 44 magnum. Tomorrow I’ll give 45ACP a try.
http://img.geocaching.com/user/8366071a-7584-4f02-bd38-953b72c25bf0.jpg

[Dean Williams]

I rarely get more than .1 grain variation with my measure, but mine is the regular Auto Disk, not the Pro type, so I'm not completely familiar with your set-up. The powder measure is screwed all the way down into the expanding die, right?

Just a comment, which may not be anything to worry about;
Usually, with bullets like this, the bullet is loaded into the case so the crimp will go right into the deepest part of the crimp groove, (where the groove forms the bottom of a "V" in the bullet). It appears in the pic that you are seating the crimp groove too far out.
Again, it may just be the way I'm seeing the loaded round in the pic, but it looks like a pretty light crimp for a 44 mag, too. It may not even be an issue. It's just what I'm seeing in the pic.

However.. no matter what it looks like to me, don't seat the bullet deeper than the recommended OAL.

[RustyFN]

I rarely get more than .1 grain variation with my measure,
That's my same experience with the pro auto disk. Once it's set for the correct charge it has been very accurate.

Every so often the disk wouldn’t slide the full travel, so the hole in the disk wasn’t lining up with the hole in the die.
The only thing I can think of is to make sure the tab is in the slot in the bottom of the disk. It will still move if not it just won't move right.
Rusty

[Claude Clay]

+1+ on seated too far out.

not so much a pressure problem ( too in would be more so). but may be too long for the cylinder. 357's that fit my S&W 66 are too long for a friends Trooper lll.

easy to fix--turn down the bullet depth and run them just through that station..
proper crimp would have the mouth of the brass seeming to disappear into the 'V' of the bullet. good luck

[Redhat]

Mainsail,

Did you adjust the powder through die using an empty case?

What type powder are you using?

I use ball powders and get great accuracy with the Pro-auto disk set up.

[Mainsail]

Yes, I adjusted (not there's much adjustment that one can perform) with several empty cases. I was using 800X, probably should have mentioned that. The disk is in the slot. I found a thread in the archives where someone described the exact problem I was having, but it seemed to have fixed itself and he couldn't duplicate it. As many have mentioned here, I had to use the next-larger hole in the disk to get above minimum loads.

[Walkalong]

800X is reported to meter horribly. I have never used it, so I don't know. As has been posted, the bullet is not seated deeply enough. The brass needs to be right at the top of the "crimp groove" on the bullet so it can "roll" into it.

Usually, with bullets like this, the bullet is loaded into the case so the crimp will go right into the deepest part of the crimp groove, (where the groove forms the bottom of a "V" in the bullet). It appears in the pic that you are seating the crimp groove too far out.................................. it looks like a pretty light crimp for a 44 mag, too.
Correct. Crimped too lightly and in the wrong place. Try some AA #9 for those .44 Mag loads. It meters like water and shoots great in .44 Mag. 2400 would be another good choice. Until you master the crimp, stay away from W296 & H110.

[Redhat]

I have mine adjusted so that with the handle fully down and the ram up, the disk travels almost to the end of the bar. If adjusted correctly, I don't see how it couldn't move all the way out over the hole? Are you using the chain or spring (Classic Turret)?

[Mainsail]

Classic Turret. There's no adjustment that I'm aware of. I loaded some 45 acp today and did not have the problem.

[RustyFN]

There's no adjustment that I'm aware of.
The farther you screw in the powder die the farther out the disk will travel. If you go too far you will get to a point where the case will get crushed. Like Redhat said you want the disk to be all the way out with the ram all the way up.
Rusty

[Mainsail]

Like I said, most of the time I was getting full travel, just every so often it wouldn't. Completely random.

[Mainsail]

I fired off the first 100 rounds of .44 magnum and 100 of my .45ACP- everything was flawless. So far so good! The 44 was a bit of a chore through the Alaskan, but I did it. The 800x seems a bit smokey but that was all I had. I've since stocked up on powder.
http://img.geocaching.com/user/15ce2608-6951-4350-81ef-ba9899450607.jpg