Lee Auto Disk

[RJR]

I am trying to work up an accurate 9mm load for my G17 using WSF powder and 124 gr plated or FMJ bullets. I would like to get 4.8 gr of WSF but my problem is the Lee Pro Auto disk on my classic turret press will dispense 4.6 gr with the 43 hole and 5.1 gr with the 46 hole. Is that the range I will have to live with using the Lee Auto Disk? Any ideas?

 

[RidgwayCO]

How about buying a Lee adjustable charge bar? Don't know how well it works with WSF though...

Or, just get an additional set of cavities and ream one out to a little more than .43cc.

 

[jcwit]

Extra disks are available, then open up a small hole till you get the charge you wish. Be dead on sure you lable the custom disk as to what it throws and what powder it is made for.

 

[RJR]

Thanks,
Based on your recommendations, I looked into both ideas. The reviews are poor for the adjustable charge bar on 9mm sized powder drops. Looks like I can get an extra set of disks from Midway for 10 $ and then increase the size of the .43 until I get my target powder drop of 4.8 gr. (I will label it )
Thank you,
Rich

 

[MrWesson]

I ended up with the exact same problem a few weeks ago.

My solution
load 100 of 4.6 and 5.1 and do an accuracy/chrono test.. not quite what you were looking for but FWIW 4.6gr is accurate and makes USPSA minor out of a 3.5" barrel(~1060fps).

 

[RJR]

Thanks MrWesson,
I had to look up what "uspsa minor" meant. Now you've got me thinking about learning to shoot action pistol. So, is the 4.6 gr of WSF with a 124 gr FMJ one of your competition loads? what COAL ?

 

[1SOW]

jcwit:

Extra disks are available, then open up a small hole till you get the charge you wish. Be dead on sure you lable the custom disk as to what it throws and what powder it is made for.

Lets say your light with hole #46 and heavy with #49.
As jcwit said, drill a 46 hole slightly to enlarge it. If it's half-way between the "46 and #49 holes, label it #47.5

This new hole is volumetric just like the factory holes. It will drop an amount of powder half-way between #46 and #49 with ANY powder. If you drill to slightly less than half-way between, label it #47, etc.

In my example, I just ADD a hole #47.5 to my chart.

I recommend 'step drilling' from the bottom of the disc. From the bottom drill a just 'slightly' bigger hole part way up to the top--a little at a time and test for weight--repeat until a shade light. Then use a dowel with some fine sandpaper wrapped on it to smooth and chamfer the tiny edge formed where you stopped drilling--not all the way through the disc. The very light sanding will increase the drop a very small amount. This new hole will provide a clean 'consistent' drop.

Hope this makes sense.

 

[RJR]

1SOW,
Makes a lot of sense. Thanks!

 

[MrWesson]

Thanks MrWesson,
I had to look up what "uspsa minor" meant. Now you've got me thinking about learning to shoot action pistol. So, is the 4.6 gr of WSF with a 124 gr FMJ one of your competition loads? what COAL ?

I shoot cast lead so my COAL will be different based on the FMJ round you are loading.

When I had WSF it was my production load for USPSA but most people who shoot USPSA don't use sub compact pistols. I had to work up a load slightly hotter than others to achieve the same velocity.

Using a full size gun you could get away with using less powder ~4.3 should do it.

 

[Funshooter45]

I have good results with the adjustable charge bar. I don't typically throw really light charges with it. I understand when you get into the super light charges like 3 gr or so, it can give goofy results. But I have thrown charges of 4.5 gr of 231 before with great results. Once I get it dialed in to my desired weight it doesn't change. Typically, I am throwing charges between 6 and 15 gr.

 

[kingmt]

Funshooter said it as well as I could on the CB. I use it for 4.0gr of Bullseye with. With the disk I have made brass inserts to get it where I want it. Still doesn't work very well with really light loads of Bullseye or Red Dot(1.0-2.0gr)