Lee Auto Disk Pro and 2400

[Landric]

I use several Lee Auto Disk measures on my Classic Turret. I recently acquired some 2400 powder to use for heavy .38 Special and .44 Special loads and .357 Magnum. I load .44 on my single stage, but I do .38 and .357 on the LCT. Obviously I'd like to use the Auto Disk on the LCT, but I've found so far that 2400 doesn't meter well with it. I've always found the Auto Disk to be spot on with various different powders I have run through it, HS-6, Titegroup, Trail Boss, etc. However, with 2400 it seems to run +/- about .4 grains. I normally see +/- .1 grain with the measure, and HS6 has always been exact.

Has anyone noticed this with 2400? I've tried a couple of different disks with the same experience. I have the adjustable charge bar, but I always found it to be less consistent than the disks, perhaps its time to break that out again and give it a try.

Can anyone suggest a different measure that works with the LCT if I can't get the auto disk to do what I need?

Thanks!

 

[WLE]

I found that to be true with the auto disk as well. I was going to try drilling or reaming smooth one of the exiting holes larger for the exact load that I wanted. havent yet done it. I think it would be more accurate then using two disk.

 

[WLE]

I like the LCT. I have 5 turrets set up. 357 45 44 mag 380 40 cal the 2400 always seams to have the greatest flucuation.

 

[GP100man]

landric
2400 is one of my easier metering powders& i use an AD exclusivly for revolver reloading.
i treat mine with powdered graphite now & then to keep it all smooth .
i used to put it on a rag & shake it around but lately have been giving the hopper & powder a shot & shaking it up , before ya go thinking ????? look inside ya can of powder bet it`s gray , yep graphite!!!


GP100man

 

[Mags]

Do you have the adjustable charge bar for the Auto Disk? I use that when loads don't meter well. Or when no predetermined disk for a load is listed.

 

[ants]

I use the Adjustable disk with 2400, and the variation is tiny.
I use a jeweler's digital scale to weight the variance. It is less than 0.03 grains from throw to throw.

[Not 3 tenths of a grain, but 3 hundredths of a grain.]


May I politely ask:
Have you checked to make sure you've got everything assembled correctly?
The chain is properly adjusted?
The disk is travelling all the way forward, then all the way back on each stroke?
No debris in the system?
The drop hole at the bottom of the AutoDisk is directly lined up with the drop tube in the charging die?
The charging die adjusted to lift the AutoDisk all the way up?

 

[Landric]

I'll try the charge bar and see if that helps.

The auto disk is set up and working correctly, it just isn't dropping a consistent charge with 2400. As I said, it has worked perfectly with other powders, it just doesn't seem to like the 2400.

 

[Landric]

I tried the adjustable charge bar and while it worked better than the disk, it still wasn't consistent enough for my taste. I'm going to keep tinkering, but I think I might have to use a different measure.

 

[jfh]

My experience is like Ants'--i.e., the (Pro)Autodisk set up with the adjustable charge bar has no problems with the typical ball / small extruded / etc., powders. That includes 2400, but I have really loaded little of it.

If you are getting 'swings' beyond plus-or-minus one-tenth grain, here are some of the problems I have found:

1. The hopper screws are too tight, and dragging the ACB on the hopper.
2. There is wear on the hopper--or, possibly on the ACB.
3. The hopper is not full. Keep it filled above one-half full.
4. If you are using the "Pro" setup, check to see the elastomeric wiper is not worn out and needs replacement.
5. You do have the ACB installed correctly, don't you? It is oriented so the actuating lever is in the slot, not in the mold cavity--right?
6. Grunge/overtight screw on the actuating lever.
7. The "wrong combination" of powder drop tubes in the measure / riser / die.
8. If this is the Pro setup, you do have the hopper turned fully to the "on" position, don't you?

I've run into all of these problems at one time or another. The powder drop tubes is the one that is still a mystery to me--but all my (Lee) measures now have the correct setup.

I'd start with examining the drop operation--i.e., is the PTED set up properly, so that it actuates the lever fully at the top of the stroke? The other obvious ones are 1) how tight the hopper screws are, and 2) whether or not the ACB is installed correctly--i.e., with the actuating lever in the proper slot.

More subtle ones are the wear issues--on the wiper, on the hopper, or on the bar/disk. These wear issues typically result in the uneven movement of the ACB--which can result in differing amounts of powder going into the cavity.

Finally, consider adding a "tap routine to your powder charging. That is, tap the hopper routinely--try, say, three 'firm' taps--and see if the charges become more consistent.

Jim H.

 

[1SOW]

+1 jfh's 'tap routine'--I use a dowel

I tap when the disk is back&refilling (especially if the hopper isn't well loaded)and again when it's forward over the case.

Ants: On the CT I don't think you need to use the chain.

I don't use 2400

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Correct, no chain is necessary when loading with the Pro Auto-Disk and the Classic Turret Press.

I also give the hopper a few taps to make sure the powder fills the charge hole when using powders like 2400 and Unique. That seems to work for me so I go with it...

BUT, I mostly use Ball powders so problems with the Pro Auto-Disk are rare for me. My powder Trinity is W231, W540 (currently labeled HS-6) and W296.