Lee auto disk bar

[amandakay]

Lee Auto-Disk Adjustable Powder Charge Bar

has anyone used this does it work any better than the disk setup?

I have been using the disk setup but have had some trouble getting the amount of power drop i want. Meaning I put a disk in and it drops more than i want but the next disk down is too light. I have the Lee loadmaster I run it on.

Thanks
Amanda

 

[RandyP]

I have been using the adjustable charge bar on my Lee turret for a couple years now and it works great. Very reliable charge consistency. You just dial in the weight you want to throw, verify it on a scale, and reload away. Considering they cost under $10 I felt it was a worthwhile upgrade. I only switch back to use their micro-disk when loading for plinking .380 size charges.

 

[amandakay]

thanks

Thank you that sounds so much easier that what i have been doing(changing disk in and out and in and out) that is a pain in the hindside.
I think for $10 I'm going to give it a try.

 

[Funshooter45]

Yep it works great. I was like you. If I want 6.9 gr of powder, that's what I want. I'll accept +/- 0.1 deviation for a few throws for some powders if need be. But I don't want to settle for choosing 6.6 vs 7.1 gr.

 

[TennJed]

can someone help with how to set it up and use it (charge bar)? I got one in a couple of days ago and have not set it up. Lee instructions are poor to say the least and I cannot find anything on youtube showing a demonstration.

thanks

 

[RandyP]

It is inserted instead of a disk with the hash markings on the black plastic housing facing up, the knurled micrometer type type dial facing outward. You should be able to determine which slot in the charge bar fits into the end of the dispenser lever.

Here is a write up of the installation with pictures I found after a Google search:

http://www.reviewsofthings.com/guns..._charge_bar_powder_measure_system_review.html

Hope this helps

 

[Hondo 60]

I had one & included it when I sold my Pro1000.
It works for a little bit larger charges (say above 10 grains)
For small charges (like 4 or 5 grains) it bridges too much to get consistent drops.
I tried it with Titegroup & Universal, and didn't like it.

 

[dadof6]

I just used that to work up some test loads using BE and HP38. I calibrated it as previously noted above, to 5.4 grains of each (had to recalibrate when I changed powders). It seemed to give very consistent results. However, when I tested at the range, I had two squip loads and one very underpowered load. Not sure if it was the charge bar or just me getting distracted.

I found that for very small charges, like below 4 grains, and using BE, it bridged alot and I got inconsistent charges.

 

[john16443]

Count me in with the group that uses it instead of the disks. I only reload 9mm and 45ACp right now, but find it does fine even with Titegroup.

As noted in the link provided by RandyP, take some time with your specific powders and determine what settings drop what amount. If you close the knurled knob until it stops under LIGHT finger pressure, you should be at about the "2" setting. Open it up to the 4.0 setting and cycle about 10 charges through it before weighing the next 50. Write down the weights you measure on these 50 charges to determine the average. That will tell you what that setting will do for that powder. Repeat for other powders, and repeat at other settings in increments of 0.2 higher and lower than the 4.0 you've started at. Chances are you'll find that every 0.1 increment in the bar is about equal to 0.1 grain.

 

[nosmr2]

I considered buying one to get 4.8-4.9 grains of Unique since my disk doesn't drop that much on any setting, too much or too little. But I read the reviews on Midway and those guys said they didn't have much luck with flake powder. Any of you had good or bad results with Unique? I was considering going with the double disk since my disk is dead on accurate.

 

[1SOW]

I compete in 9mm minor PF, so the disc holes didn't always allow the charge I wanted (3.9-4.2 range) using Vit n320 powder that works very well in the discs.

I got the adj. charge bar and could not get consistent throws for my light loads using a LEE Turret Press..

I modified disk holes instead, and that has worked perfectly. The "NEW" holes are numbered between the listed numbers and work for any powders listed. A WIN-WIN situation.

YMMV

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The only problem I have with the adjustable charge bar is with very light charge weights. I know why there's a problem though, when you close the charge bar to a very small opening the opening in the bar doesn't sit under the drop hole in the powder measure. Because of that the charge weights are inconsistent. It works well with "normal" charges but for very light charges I get better results using a Lee Micro Disk. I think both tools are very useful. If you buy both you will cover all the bases.

 

[RandyP]

I was unable to respond to a PM today because the recipient has blocked receipt of messages so I'll respond here:

Try placing the charge bar on the base facing the opposite direction. The base orientation is very easy to confuse and there is only one 'right' way it will face and operate.

 

[oldreloader]

I use one to throw a 5 gr charge of AA #5 and it is VERY accurate.

 

[amandakay]

got it

Ok got the disk bar setup and started loading. I was using trail boss powder and the largest charge it would drop is 7.0 not what i wanted. I wanted it to drop more....but it was much easier to use, so ????? :banghead: Might have to go back to the disks LOL can't there be a nice way to get the powder I want?????

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You can always drop half the charge you want twice...

 

[1SOW]

Ok got the disk bar setup and started loading. I was using trail boss powder and the largest charge it would drop is 7.0 not what i wanted. I wanted it to drop more....but it was much easier to use, so ????? :banghead: Might have to go back to the disks LOL can't there be a nice way to get the powder I want?????

Modify a disc hole or two as I said above. It's fairly easy to do, can be made to drop your powder preference exactly and spare discs are $5-ish each. The modified disc hole can be numbered "between" existing numbers and will work with any powder on the chart--because it's volumetric.

 

[Fishslayer]

I use the charge bar for Big Dog .357 loads of 2400. IIRC the disc cavities go about a full grain or more difference with 2400 at that level and 14gr is not there.

I have extra discs and am considering honing out a hole for exactly 14gr of 2400.

Ok got the disk bar setup and started loading. I was using trail boss powder and the largest charge it would drop is 7.0 not what i wanted. I wanted it to drop more....but it was much easier to use, so ????? Might have to go back to the disks LOL can't there be a nice way to get the powder I want?????

Lee sells a double disc kit.

You didn't mention the caliber you're loading. I'm guessing pistol caliber? Maybe .45LC?
Why are you using such a large load of Trail Boss? Maybe try a different powder? Most people like Trail boss for it's large volume/weight. You can't double charge a case and a powderpuff load fills case volume, though I would hardly call 7gr a "powderpuff."

Here's Hodgdon's burn rate chart. Green Dot & Winchester WST are fairly similar to Trail Boss. I use Green Dot quite a bit in .38SP, 9mm and .45ACP.

Just in case you want to avoid hassling with double discs, double throws, etc.

Trail Boss is #19.
http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html

 

[amandakay]

45LC

Yes i'm shooting the 45LC.
I'm looking at loading the max of trail boss for (P+) rounds.
Yes I think i might look at some other powders. I was just giving the Trail Boss a try out because so many people had said they liked it in their 45LC.
Thank you for the tips!

 

[tahco gunworks]

I just got one, and it meters all over the place with Power Pistol set for 5.8 grains. First few are 5.6, then 5.8, then a few 6.2 and back.

I also agree that some of the powder sits on top of the slide during the smaller charges causing this.

Going to see how to modify it to make it work better. Maybe Accurate #5 will meter better compared to Power Pistol.