first problem ever with Lee auto-disk pro (light charges)

[1KPerDay]

I've been working up some loads using 2.9 grains of Red Dot (for .380). Out of 30 rounds at this charge I got 2 that threw light charges of 1.0 grains. It was obviously not right visually (I check every time) and I'm weighing every charge during workup.

This has me rattled as the powder measure has been very consistent so far.
I've loaded about 2500 .45 ACPs, 400 9mms, 1500 .40s, and a few hundred .38 specials so far (all with red dot; charges from 3.6 to 5 grains) and have never had it throw a light charge before.

Have I reached the lower limit of consistent metering for red dot through the auto-disk orifice? I'm using the small disk and the .43 orifice.

The weird thing is all the other throws were pretty consistent at 2.8 or 2.9 grains. You'd think that if the powder was stacking or getting hung up it would throw light every time or at least more often. Or at least that's how my primitive caveman brain works.

After the first one I thought maybe something mechanical was hanging up and lubed the outside metal sliding surfaces of the measure. Did about 25 more at proper charge then got another 1 grain throw.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[RandyP]

I have found the disks very consistent using Win 231/HP-38, but I can't speak to Red Dot? I do know that the adjustable charge charge is not good for my 2.8 gr charges and I switch to the micro-disk.

For my powder the .43 disk hole generates a 4.6 gr charge.

Perhaps you are getting some bridging or the hopper is not tight? Try taking it all apart and giving it a quick wipe down?

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Some powders do not do well in certain types of powder measures. I have never used red dot, but someone who's familiar with that powder will come along and have some suggestions for you.

 

[Eazmo]

Red Dot is a large flake powder and will try to bridge in the auto disk.

I use allot of Unique which is also a large flake powder that has a bad reputation for not flowing well in measures.
Buy or make your self one of these baffles and use it in your auto disk.http://www.midwayusa.com/product/493217/rcbs-uniflow-powder-measure-powder-baffle
it will take some of the pressure off of the powder and let it flow into the disk. My charges with Unique are always +/- .1gr and mostly right on the money.
I added a powder baffle on my mec/shot shell loader and it worked great with the red dot also.

It is the best couple of bucks you can spend to make your auto disk perform even better.

 

[cberge8]

Not sure what kind of press you are using, but this may help.

I had the same troubles with my lee auto disk pro, on a lee pro 1000 progressive. The problem was a loose return chain (think that is what it is called, the chain that goes from the powder measure to the shellholder). This was causing incomplete powder charges on occasion.

Lee has a decent video on youtube of how to properly tension the chain.

 

[1KPerDay]

Sorry... I should have mentioned. lee classic turret, spring loaded return thing. Red dot has been very consistent in charges around 4 grains or higher but I'm wondering if the smaller orifice may be too small for the flake powders to meter correctly.

I'm using the microdisk.

I may switch powders anyway as I just tried out my first loads of red dot in .380 and even at 2.9 grains (3.1 is supposed to be max) they feel light and the slide doesn't lock back. More pleasant to shoot out of the SIG P230 than factory loads (which hurt me) but definitely nowhere close to "standard" loading.

Guess I'll have to break down and buy some new powder... I've been trying to make Red Dot work for everything because I have had a good supply of it.

So... what's the most versatile for non-magnum pistol rounds? Unique or 231?

 

[J_McLeod]

Sorry... I should have mentioned. lee classic turret, spring loaded return thing. Red dot has been very consistent in charges around 4 grains or higher but I'm wondering if the smaller orifice may be too small for the flake powders to meter correctly.

I'm using the microdisk.

I may switch powders anyway as I just tried out my first loads of red dot in .380 and even at 2.9 grains (3.1 is supposed to be max) they feel light and the slide doesn't lock back. More pleasant to shoot out of the SIG P230 than factory loads (which hurt me) but definitely nowhere close to "standard" loading.

Guess I'll have to break down and buy some new powder... I've been trying to make Red Dot work for everything because I have had a good supply of it.

So... what's the most versatile for non-magnum pistol rounds? Unique or 231?

Unique is probably more versatile than 231, but I would still go for 231. It'll load just about any pistol round, and all the ones you mentioned in the OP and meters much better than unique in your Auto disk. I've used 231 in .380, 9mm, .40, .38 and .357. I gave my Unique away because I didn't like it in the Auto disk. Unique is a flake powder and 231 is a ball powder.

 

[777TRUTH]

Bullseye is another good powder and measures quite nicely in the Autodisk. I've used in in .380 9mm and .45 with very good results.

 

[Red Cent]

Go to WallyWorld and buy a fish aerator. Strap/tape it to the powder dispenser and plug it in. The vibrations will settle the powder and do away with "bridging".

 

[1SOW]

So... what's the most versatile for non-magnum pistol rounds? Unique or 231?

231/HP38, Vihtavuori n320, AA#5/AA#7. All of these will measure very accurately in any powder measure and will run a variety of calibers (9mm to 45acp) and loads from mid-range DOWN. #7 will do better in upper mid-range.

 

[RandyP]

"I'm using the microdisk."

?

In your original post you mention using the .43 orifice? The largest Lee micro-disk (grey/silver color) hole opening is a .27. The .43 is an opening in one of the black disks.

 

[1KPerDay]

Go to WallyWorld and buy a fish aerator. Strap/tape it to the powder dispenser and plug it in. The vibrations will settle the powder and do away with "bridging".

That would work if the turret weren't turning in circles.

Randy P, you're right... I'm using the smallest black disk... I mistakenly thought it was the microdisk but I was incorrect.

 

[RandyP]

No worries mate - I only know about the micro-disk because my required load for .380 is too small for the adjustable charge bar or any of the black disks. Win 23/HP-38 is small ball not large flake.

 

[dickttx]

Check that the hole in your disk is directly over the drop hole in your base. This can be adjusted by screwing your die in or out. The front of the disk should be even with the front of your base when the ram is all the way up.
If the holes are not lined up there can be a small ledge where powder can get hung up.

 

[1KPerDay]

How does screwing the die in or out adjust where the hole in the disk locates? And doesn't screwing the die in or out change the belling of the case mouth?

 

[RandyP]

The Lee powder thru die operates off the case. Yes, if you screw the die in too much you will get far too much belling. If you screw the die in not enough you will get none.

There is a happy medium where the case pushes up on the powder dispenser sleeve enough to fully actuate the measure and provides appropriate case mouth belling to seat the bullet. It is a matter of a small portion of a turn, not something like many turns of the die.

 

[dickttx]

What RandyP said.

The depth of the die determines how far the disk moves. If you set it so that the front of the disk is about even with the front of the base, the disk hole will be directly over the drop hole in the base.
It changes with different calibers. My .45 ACP and .45 Colt, use a normal full stroke to flair the case and center the drop hole. My 9mm will not bottom out when the drop hole is centered, so I "feel" the flair.

 

[kingmt]

Is the hopper on backward? I have that problem with 2gr loads. I inserted a brass sleeve in the disk orifice that helped some. I still got a light one once in a while.

 

[1KPerDay]

The front of the disk should be even with the front of your base when the ram is all the way up.

It is.

Thanks guys... I'm switching to HP-38 for a while. First tries seem to be inconclusive. Something's funky.