Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure dribbling powder

[dickttx]

I went out to work up some 357 loads about an hour ago on my Lee Classic Turret with a Pro Auto Disk powder measure. I got set up and everytime I dropped a powder charge powder dribbled out onto the shellholder area and the press base. Looking things over I noticed that at the full down stroke the hole in the disk was past the edge of the powder measure. I never could verify that this was where the powder was coming from.
Yesterday, I loaded 400 rounds of 45 ACP without any powder spillage at all. I put the powder measure I had used yesterday on the press and saw that the disk did the same thing.
I had the brass nuts tightened firmly. Any suggestions as to what might be causing this?

 

[rfwobbly]

Dribbling Powder

Drawing on my vast experience from another interest area,
I'd have to say that if it dribbles then it needs a bib.

 

[Mike Kerr]

If the charge hole is past its ordinary stop position it usually means the disk is not installed correctly. I'm trying to be gentle but please check your installation. Most of us who have handled Lee disk's have done the same thing at one time or annother - it will turn out to be a BIG DUH!.

Regards,

 

[dickttx]

That was my first thought Mike. I am pretty well known (to myself, I don't broadcast it) for doing things like that. I can only find that they go on one way. I even tried the adjustable one with the little brass knob. I will certainly check that again when I go back out.
I guess that was my question, can you get that on wrong?

 

[tkcomer]

I hate to say it, but its the nature of the beast. If you use a fine powder, it will leak a little.

 

[dickttx]

OK--I figured it out!!!
I do not believe you can get the disk on wrong, if the lever is in the slot.
So, looking at what was happening, I realized that the amount of travel for the lever that moves the disk is controlled by the depth of the powder die. If you adjust the depth of the die you can make the front of the disk stop at the front of the base. I checked this with the largest disk hole and the smallest disk hole. Setting it like that (the front of the disk even with the front of the base) will result in both sizes of disk holes being directly over the drop hole.
I had even checked the depth of the die when I was having the trouble, but I just compared it to the powder die on another turret, which happened to be 45 ACP, which is much shorter than the 357 case.
I had apparently just lucked out when setting the other calibers. Another case of Lee's poor instructions, I think. I checked the powder measure instructions and they do not mention this. All they say is install the dies, per the die instructions. Haven't been back out to look at those and apparently the die instructions are not on Lee's website.
Thanks for jogging me.
No leaks at all now.

 

[1SOW]

Good job!

If it starts leaking (smaller amounts) of fine powder, then a new "wiper" ($1) will usually restore a good seal.