Lee Autodisk, Nosler bullets, Longshot powder, and accuracy advice?

Being still new to reloading I am still learning new things. I just got in a box of Nosler 150 grain JHP bullets to work up a load for my Ruger 944 40 S&W. According to Nosler the bullets are using the same load data as the Hornady 155 grain XTP bullets for Longshot powder. I bought a Lee Auto disk powder measure to help with being more consistent with the powder throws over the so called Perfect powder measure. I have not used these bullets or the auto disk powder measure before. I do not have the charge bar and the closest setting on the disk is the .61. According to the chart the .61 hole using Longshot gives a load of 7.4 grains which is 0.1 grains under the starting load. The next step up jumps to 8.0. Without the charging bar or a double disk set how do you fine tune the load for a work up? Also using CCI #500 small pistol primers, longshot powder, Nosler 150 grain JHP bullets, is there a way to know about what charge is going to be close to the most accurate before the work up out of the 4.20 inch barrel of the Ruger like with quickload or something?

ArchAngelCD said:

The chart supplied by Lee is only a reference and rarely right on the powder weight mark. I would weigh the powder throws before you give up on having the right charge hole in the supplied disks.

I have a few cartridges I load where the disks will not give me what I want like in the 45 Colt and HS-6 powder. There really isn't a way to get exactly what you want without buying the adjustable charge bar or a spare disk you can modify with a screw to customize the powder charge weight. The standard disks usually give you something within the charge range so like I said, check the powder weights of the supplied charge holes before you decide it won't work. It's rarely exactly what the chart says.

What I mean is, if the charge range is 6.0gr to 7.4gr there will be one or two charge holes that will give you powder throws in that range. If you want exactly 7.2gr of that powder you might not be able to get that exact charge weight without adding the adjustable charge bar.

Over all I'm very happy with the Lee 4 Hole Turret Press and the Pro Auto-Disk.

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Well that looks like I'll ether have to do the work up with the old measure and weighing every single charge, or wait till next month and order a adjustable charge bar to do this work up. I don't want to start the work up in the middle of the load range. I would feel better about the work up if I had access to a chronograph and more experience under my belt, but I can not afford one yet and I am still learning. I am still working on other things I need that are needed more than a chronograph.

What is the most accurate loads you guys and gals getting out of using Longshot and 150 or 155 grain JHP bullets for comparison.

Lennyjoe said:

Agree with everything above. Hopefully you have a bar scale or an electronic scale to measure the powder throw. It is a must for use with a Lee autodisc as the Lee powder recommendations are not entirely accurate. With .40 cal, you don't want to be overcharged in the least bit!

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Yes I weigh the charges. I have both the Lee safety scale as well as a Frankford Arsenal digital scale. I have not used the auto disk yet so I don't know what it is throwing as yet. Was just concerned with the listed charge on the chart being under the starting charge for the bullet and the next step up being listed as 0.6 over the starting load for a work up. If The disk did throw the exact charge listed on the chart it would only give me four different charge weights to test with one being only 0.1 grains under max which is a compressed charge and one I am definitely staying clear of till I have more experience, more gear, and someone that has been there did that by my side watching every move.

ArchAngelCD said:

It's really not as bad as you are thinking. Before you worry more or buy anything try throwing some Longshot and weigh what the results are, then make a decision if you need anything else.

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I will try it out before my next order. By the way for those who do not know it I am using a Lee single stage press. I'll eventually upgrade to a turret press sooner or later.

ArchAngelCD said:

You will like the Turret Press, just be sure you buy the Classic Turret Press. It's a much better product than the Deluxe model for a small additional cost.

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I think that is the one I have on my wish list. I would have to look, I know it is a four hole model I was looking at. I'll resetup my press here in a few days. I need to move my reloading to the basement and have just been hurting too much the past week to do much.

How much does the bullet weight variations effect the accuracy? I was bored so I started weighing bullets and separating them by weight, I weighed 50 bullets and the range ended up from 149.7 to 150.8 with the most common being 150.5. I had four out of the fifty exactly 150.0. I know I am not shooting in a competition but just trying to learn what effects different things have on the accuracy when it comes to loading these up.

Kuyong_Chuin said:

How much does the bullet weight variations effect the accuracy? I was bored so I started weighing bullets and separating them by weight, I weighed 50 bullets and the range ended up from 149.7 to 150.8 with the most common being 150.5. I had four out of the fifty exactly 150.0. I know I am not shooting in a competition but just trying to learn what effects different things have on the accuracy when it comes to loading these up.

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Was this a stupid question or just no answer yet?