Help with Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure

[chhodge69]

I have a Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure on a 4-hole classic turret press using the adjustable charge bar. I'm loading .45 ACP and attempting to throw 6.0g Unique. I run a sample of 10 throws and weights vary from 5.8g to 6.3g

Does anyone have tips/tricks/pointers on how to get this setup to be more consistent?

 

[1KPerDay]

Charge/dump about 20 times before you weigh some samples, if you haven't already.

 

[wild willy]

Did you clean everything I use brake cleaner on the metal parts alcohol on the disk.Spray everything with graphite.Make sure you run the whole cycle when checking throw weights.Like said above run some before you worry about weighing

 

[kludge]

Been there done that. No fix found in my case. Change powders.

Unique and Pro Auto Disk don't mix. My experience is the same as yours. I can get +/- 0.1gr from my other powder measure, but I still hate it. I was getting +/-0.5gr out of the Pro Auto Disk.

Try No.5 or Universal instead. Plus Universal is SOOO much cleaner than Unique.

During the Obama shortage I bought a pound based on the huge amounts of love heaped upon Unique in this and other forums. All I can say is those people must have never used Universal, because I can't stand Unique.

 

[1KPerDay]

I'm getting .1gr (.2 max; very occasionally) variance metering Red Dot through the regular discs in mine, FYI. The vast majority of the time it's right on the money.

 

[wild willy]

I just weighed 26 all between 8.1 to 8.3 most were right on 8.3 had 2 at 8.1 this is with unique.I find it will seldom if ever have a heavy one. I use the disks

 

[Scimmia]

I usually get +/- 0.1 gr from an a Pro Auto-Disk and Unique, but I use the regular disks, not the adjustable charge bar. Maybe give that a shot?

 

[JDGray]

I could never get the adj charge bar to work consistantly, your better off not using it like your gonna try anyways The shape of the cavity leaves some powder behind, bad design if you ask me, but I get very good results with the disc.

 

[RustyFN]

I have never used Unique but have heard from many people that it doesn't meter well in most powder measures. I would try a powder that meters better like WST, WSF, Bullseye, W231.

 

[J_McLeod]

I get very good results from the charge bar with 231. +/- .1gr.

 

[exavid]

I also use the Lee adjustable charge bar in my Lee four hole press for .380, .40S&W and .45ACP using Power Pistol powder. The PP feeds consistently within a tenth of a grain either with the adjustable bar or the disk. I prefer the bar because it's quick and easy to change the load and doesn't wear the screw holes in the powder reservoir.

 

[chhodge69]

I think I worked this out...

I put new batteries in my FA digital scale, and checked it vs a RCBS beam and it checks out good. I removed the adjustable charge bar and used the standard disks. I threw 20 charges before beginning. Now 8 of 10 charges measure +/- 0.1 gr and 2 of 10 charges are +/- 0.2 gr I'll live with it until this jar of Unique powder is gone but I think I'll try one of the others mentioned here when it runs out.

I also played with a friends Lee Perfect Powder Measure and got MUCH better results - all within +/- 0.1 gr and most right on target, so that's an option too.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Sin City Shootist]

I would try a powder that meters better like WST, WSF, Bullseye, W231.

Yes WST is a great powder for the 45acp and it meters exceptionally well in the autodisk pro.

 

[rklessdriver]

I don't use the adjustable bar on my Auto Disks but mine varied about + /- 0.3 grain when I experimented with using up some old Unique that was given to me.

That was a little more than I was willing to accept even running mid range loads.

My Auto Disks only varies 0.1 grain with AA#5, 231, Red Dot, or Bullseye. I just stick to running these powders in them and don't experiment with Unique anymore.

The FA digital scale is also very sensitive to battery voltage. Mine needs a new battery every few months or so at the rate I use it. It took me a hot min to figure out why my Auto Disk powder charges were all of a sudden +/-0.3 (I was using 231 on 45ACP), when for months since I bought that FA scale (and checked it for accuracy) they were throwing perfect.... drug out my old Lee Saftey Scale (LOL) and threw 10 charges in a row that were perfect.... Installed new battery in the FA digital scale and it was back to reading perfect on every throw....
Will

 

[oldreloader]

I get extremely consistent powder drops with both the disc and the adjustable charge bar with HP 38, AA #5 and #7.