Lee Auto Disk small cavity + flake powder = :(

[WhoKnowsWho]

As the subject states... the big flakes of Red Dot don't flow into the small .32cc cavity of the Auto Disk Measure. So unless I use a ball powder or manually measure each load out, my .380 Auto loads are on hold right now.

If anybody has any solutions to this, I am all ears. Otherwise, I need suggestions for some sort of other powder measure system I can easily use for doing the small loads. I was thinking a RCBS Little Dandy would work nicely. Any thoughts?

And Dillon is not a thought... it is a way of living! Maybe later...

 

[Phil in Seattle]

Hornady makes their PISTOL POWDER MEASURE

but I'm not sure how well it's bushing system will work will small charges of large flake powder.
https://www.hornady.com/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=storehome.html&cart_id=

I use the Lock N Load measure and it works ok even with smallish charges(4.7gs) of Unique even using the rifle inserts, I don't know what if any advantage I'd gain from switching to the pistol insert.

 

[Mike Irwin]

You can try tapping on the measure with a padded stick. Wrap in a couple of turns of electrical tape.

I've heard of people using the vibrations from an electric shaver to get the powder to fill the cavity, too.

 

[P95Carry]

Mike - as ever - has a good answer.

When I used smallish loads of red dot ... I tapped the hopper twice ... religiously ...... seemed to work just fine.

 

[Cortland]

Three things:

I've heard of people strapping an aquarium pump to powder measures for a vibratory effect--that might help.

I have an RCBS Uniflow powder measure with which I have no problem throwing 1.3 gr. charges of HP-38 (a smallish flake powder) for .32 S&W.

Finally, I've had great luck using Titegroup (a very good metering ball powder) in my .380s.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I was thinking of some way to vibrate the thing... and I happen to have a electric razor that is too dull for much else! Now I just need to find it and give it a shot... cool.

 

[Mike Irwin]

You could always stop by the "adult entertainment and toy" store and pick up a... uhm.... device...

 

[Dave R]

When I load the .380acp with Unique (a largish flake powder) I use a well-used RCBS Uniflow and tap it twice before each charge. Gives very accurate charges.

Mike's suggestion may be a bit distracting...

 

[MoNsTeR]

VV N310, AA #2

I won't even use Bullseye in the .32cc cavity, much less a huge flake powder.

 

[tbeb]

With my Lee auto disk powder measure I use Winchester 231 powder for .380 ACP.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I have an old Playstation controller I can take apart and take the rumble motor and hook it up to a battery. It will be silent, and I can change the voltage to change the vibrations. If that and/or hitting the thing fails, I'll try another powder. I just don't want to have a powder for each caliber. I think the motor will work though, I will try next week when I am off. Thanks for the suggestions for ideas and powders!

 

[Mike Irwin]

"I don't want to have a powder for every caliber"

Then I suggest that you look into Winchester 231.

I use a lot of it. It has a BROAD application base, from .32 S&W to .44 Mag. and light loads.

 

[redneck2]

FWIW..

I use AA5 in just about everything. Meters extremely well and is very clean. Don't have my burn rates handy, but I'd suspect 231 is nearly the same.

Personally, I won't use the "older" powders..Unique, Red Dot, etc. Too dirty and too hard to meter. IMO, better stuff has been invented in the last 75 years since those came out.

YMMV

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Then I suggest that you look into Winchester 231

I finally sat down at looked at the usage for 231... I think I am going to go buy a pound today.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Smart man...

I just bought a 4 pound cask, as I'm almost done with my old 4 pound cask. Before that I burned through quite a few single pound cans of 231 since I started to reload in the late 1970s.

I've used 231 for:

• .32 S&W Long
• .38 S&W
• .38 Special
• .357 Magnum
• 9mm Luger
• .380 ACP
• 10mm (decided to expand to AA 7 for more range, thought)
• .41 Magnum lead loads (again, another AA 7 application)
• .44 Special (not entirely happy with it in the few loads I've tried, going to try another powder)
• .45 ACP (whoa, nelly, what a great powder!)
• .45 Auto Rim (ditto the .45 ACP comment)

That's serious universality, as far as I'm concerned. Where 231 REALLY sings, though, is with .38 Spl., light to moderate .357 Mag., and .45 ACP/Auto Rim.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Rats, foiled again

Well, I loaded up some test rounds for .380 ACP in Win 231 with 2.1 Grains, 2.4, and 2.7 and all worked fine. So I was going to start loading a larger batch at 2.4 grains... but my auto disk measure does not go down to that small cavity! I have the adjustable charge bar but it only will go down to about 2.9 grains.

So what do I do now? The Micro Disk conversion is an option, but I do not know for sure what cavity sizes are on it. I would like something a bit more flexible if possible though I think I am stuck with ordering the Micro Disk. At least I can order my 40 S&W dies too.

Midway USA also has a Hornady looking Frankford Arsenal measure that will attach to a press... but I don't think it will attach to the sizing die... right? The Lyman one says it will... but I cannot assume this Frankford/Hornady/RCBS like one will.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Hum....

I never used my Auto Disk for quantities that small. By the time that I got my Auto Disk I had pretty much stopped loading .32 Long and .380.

I'm going to start loading .32 Long again, so I don't know what I'm going to do in that case.

I was, however, using the RCBS Uniflow with the small stem, and it worked like a charm.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Well, I ordered the Micro Disk, hopefully it has a good enough range of cavities to have one I can use.

If not...

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Yeah! The Micro Disk is a lifesaver! Just loaded up 300 rounds of .380 Auto with 2.5 grains of Win231. No problems using it.