How to best charge powder for .223 w/Lee stuff

[bison]

I have a Lee 4 hole turret press with the double disk kit and also a separate perfect powder measure and am just starting to load .223 for my new AR. Am using H313, trying between 24-25 gns.

For the first 50 or so rounds I loaded last night I didn't mess with the disk and just loaded the cases directly from the Perfect Powder measure. While this seemed to work pretty well, sometimes when I did this the neck wouldn't be perfectly crammed into the base of the powder measure and I could feel a teeny bit of powder fall out when I pulled out the case after dumping the powder (I'd then dump that load and re-charge). Is it generally good practice to charge directly from the Perfect Powder measure, or do people dump the powder into something else and then use a funnel? I have a funnel and perhaps am a bit lazy not wanting to use it, but if I'm not being dumb charging directly from the measure I'd rather improve my technique than switch.

May be somewhat moot of a question as once I get a decent load I'll probably just load using the double disk. I figure that's pretty reliable for the ball powder (and I know to put the big hole on the bottom).

Off the subject, but I bought 3 bags of new Winchester .223 brass and was surprised at the amount of trimming I had to do. probably only 5% didn't need trimming, and some needed so much that there was a visible little curly-cue of metal that came off.

Thx - I can't wait to go to the range and try my new gun!

 

[PikeStaff]

Not difficult

Did you also get a Lee charge die for the 4-holer? These look like a regular die but holds a Lee powder funnel in their top end - you then raise the case up to the die, drop your charge into the funnel, and voila! - all done and no spills. I use an old film canister (those little jobs about an inch in dia. and height) to transfer from the powder measure into the funnel and it works juuust fine.

Have a great time with your new hobby!

 

[ants]

The PPM and the Rifle Charging Die are made to go together.

I mount the PPM directly on top of the Rifle Charging Die on the turret.

You unscrew the drop tube from the PPM (the black plastic thing held on by the silver knurled nut) and the PPM screws into the top of the Rifle Charging Die. Be sure to get it set up so the rising case centers itself and presses against the RCD, then drop the powder. Every granule makes it into the case.

I use the PPM for rifle instead of the Disk because I can adjust a large powder charge to whatever I want. When treated with powdered graphite liberally, both powder measures are excellent, but the PPM is infinitely adjustable for large charges. The Disk is infinitely adjustable when you use the Adjustable Charge Bar, but only for modest weight charges like pistol.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Am using H313, trying between 24-25 gns.

I'm guessing you mean H335, not H313...

You can easily use the double disk kit and charge your .223 rounds right on the 4 hole turret as long as you also bought a Universal Rifle Charging Die.

 

[bison]

Oops - yep, H335 - thx - Ants thx for the description of how to attach the PPM, that will help for my .270 and 30-06 loads that are too big for the discs.

Is it normal to have to trim new brass so much?

 

[MCgunner]

I load rifle rounds on a single stage press, but on 7.62x39 and .308 I use the double disc to charge powder and it works very well. I also have the Lee Perfect measure and I use it and like it for other bigger cases, but the double disc sets up quick. I just install it in a cheap C press and use a .45/70 case to charge and then dump from that into the rifle case I'm loading. Works for me. On the .223, I'd think the disc set up would be the way I'd go. I use Winchester ball powder, too, in .308 which really helps, meters well. I haven't loaded 7.62x39 in years.