Auto Disk Light Loads

[keelbolts]

I've recently found that I enjoy small caliber handguns. I've carried and reloaded .45 ACPs for many years, but I now have a problem loading for .32 ACP. My trusty Lee Auto Disk won't drop a small enough charge.

Quick question: What is the downside of taking an Auto Disk disk, filling one of the holes with epoxy, and drilling it back out to the diameter necessary to drop, say, 1.7 gr of BE? I don't see one. Am I overlooking something/

 

[32_d3gr33s]

a lot of people do this. I plan on doing it at some point with one disk as i only use 3 or 4 different holes for loading 9mm, 45, and .357, so i figured i'd drill a hole for each volume i use and have them all on one disk. Just havent gotten around to it yet.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I was lucky enough to buy a Lee Micro-Disk before they were discontinued. It works very well for very light charges. The adjustable charge bar doesn't work well with very light charges IMO because the hole in the charge bar does not sit directly below the drop in the Auto-Disk.

I have not done the fill and drill method but I have heard it's been successful from others. There was a guy on Ebay who is making replica Micro-Disks, I have not seen them on Ebay for a while though.

There are also blank disks available on Ebay with guide holes so the hole you drill is perfectly centered.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CUSTOM-CAST...005&prg=9409&rk=5&rkt=6&sd=261467204657&rt=nc

 

[1KPerDay]

Try W231 or another really fine-grained powder if you can find one. Alliant's flaky powders start to bridge/stack/charge inconsistently for me when I get below about 2.6 grains.

I doubt 1.7 grains of BE will meter consistently, but it might.

You could also remove the PAD and put the funnel on top of the expanding/powder through die and scoop/dump your charge. Little fiddly, but it would be consistent.

 

[LiveLife]

Here's a "working" mod that is infinitely adjustable. I drilled into the smallest Auto Disk hole (.30) and used a brass screw (you can also use a set screw) to drop smaller charges (link shows steps and screw size used) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=741988

I tested W231/HP-38 down to 2.0 gr and Bullseye down to 1.5 gr and powder drops were consistent.

 

[keelbolts]

bds,
All I can say is,"oooooooohhhh. You're waymo smarter than I am."

Thanks all. I've gotta go get a brass screw...

 

[KingM]

I have the same findings as 1K. I didn't use epoxy but instead pressed a piece of plastic in a larger hole & bored it to size. The bushing can be easily removed. Altho I did get decent consistency by swaging some brass to take up just a small volume but got tired of adjusting & trails & just ordered the Micro Disk.

 

[Dudedog]

I have used/use both the screw method and JB weld fill and drill. The screw method is easier and IMO is a better way to go. The Lee adjustable charge bar works but does not seem to work well for me with 1 larger powders, or 2 smaller volumnes.