Just got my Lee turret and other gear all set up and am having issues getting my Auto drum to meter 700-X consistently. I've cleaned it up and ran a hopper through it. It varies by .3-.4 grains sometimes. My uniflow doesn't have that issue. Is there anything I should try to get it to dial in? I've considered wiping it down with a dryer sheet and cleaning it out again in case I missed anything. Do I need to watch how tight I have the drum or how tight I have it on the die? Any help is appreciated
Lee Auto Drum Issues
- Thread starter lpsharp88
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Load Master
Member
I'm not by my computer but will forward you some help later today. Make sure the die is free of oil as shipped is a good starting check.
Load Master
Member
When you have a chance give us an update if you are still having an issue after trying some of the suggested items posted already. Some folks have issues with the disconnector. If you could post a photo or two of your setup it would help us to make suggestions.
Thanks for the help! That video was pretty helpful, even if the music was less than stellar haha. I just got home, so I'm gonna clean everything again, wipe it down with a dryer sheet and reassemble/set up per the video. Then I'll give an update and post some photos if my phone will allow
Load Master
Member
Funny thing about your comment, that is one of the single biggest complaints I receive on my videos, the music. It is royalty free canned music. I just figure it is better than having to hear me talk. Maybe I'm wrong.
One other thing about the video, the disconnector is removed from the unit shown. If you want to remove yours I have the Lee instructions on how to do it properly I'll post if you want it.
Overall the video is great! I just prefer to hear talking, it helps me understand, especially if it's being explained while it's being done. That's just me though. I cleaned everything and ran a dryer sheet over all of it, and weighed 49 charges. Here's the results. 1st 10 averaged 3.544, 2nd 10 3.518, 3rd 10 3.58, 4th 10 3.524, last 9 3.54. I had an overall low of 3.26 and high of 3.72. Those were the only two that would have put me above or below start/max. I was going for 3.5, so it did ok. I think I'll stick with my practice of weighing every 10th and seeing if any adjustments need made. I'll put some pictures below hopefully.
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Load Master
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lpsharp88, What type of scale are you using to measure with?
Hondo 60
Member
Good luck getting a consistent drop!
I have 3 different powder measures (uniflow, dillon & Lee pro-auto disk).
Ain't a one of 'em likes 700-X.
So when I use that powder, I have to weigh EVERY case.
Needless to say, I don't use very much 700-X
I have 3 different powder measures (uniflow, dillon & Lee pro-auto disk).
Ain't a one of 'em likes 700-X.
So when I use that powder, I have to weigh EVERY case.
Needless to say, I don't use very much 700-X
Wreck-n-Crew
Member
Other than a baffle (not even sure that would help) I'm not sure how to get 700x to meter well from any measure. It's a fussy powder for sure and when charge weights from low to high only vary by .6gr in some loads that doesn't leave a lot of room for metering. People that use it religiously tend to get a keen eye for volume swings. From What I see your test drops metered fairly well for 700x. I would keep a good check on the charges and a good eye on the drops. Load them and shoot them.
bocefus78
Member
Hondo nailed it. Your problem is the powder itself and the small charges from my experiences. I've found that 700x won't meter worth a darn thru any of my 3 Lee drops unless the charge weight is 4.3 gr or above. Above that, it's OK at best, but you still get large variance on charges that usually have a small window from min to max.
I've got 3lbs of that stuff I'd give away. It produces accurate loads, but it also produces headaches.
I've got 3lbs of that stuff I'd give away. It produces accurate loads, but it also produces headaches.
Load Master
Member
The Gem Pro 250 is a good scale. I have never used 700-X so that maybe a big part of the problem as Hondo pointed out. Keep us posted on how the Lee Auto Drum works out with another powder.
RealGun
Member
I agree with the assessment that the powder weight is to little for accurately measuring a medium coarse powder like 700-x. I use it on 44-40 and have no complaints at 6.0 grains and a 200 gr bullet. What might help though is rapping on the measure as it fills and done with consistency. That should help the large flakes settle, but you will have to calibrate the drop in the same way. Easier to just change powder. Have a look at BE-86 for versatility and easy handling.
Changing powder isn't really an option unfortunately. I have 8 pounds of the stuff. I really like it and I'll keep using it, but will watch it. I may weigh my next 50 as well and see if they perform similarly. If I get the same results, I'll do like I have been on my uniflow, weigh every 10th and adjust if needed. I'll also do a little testing with TiteGroup as well and see how it does.
I throw 10 charges in a "long" case and weigh it, for an average, rather than throwing/weighing a single charge and adjusting/chasing 0.01 of a grain variation.
Like a target of 4.3, I'll throw 10 and set my scale at 43.0 etc.
That said, I find the spring in the Auto Drum too stiff to do this, and use a Pro Disc rigged like this:
and a "long" case
Like a target of 4.3, I'll throw 10 and set my scale at 43.0 etc.
That said, I find the spring in the Auto Drum too stiff to do this, and use a Pro Disc rigged like this:
and a "long" case
That's a good idea in terms of adjusting for 10 as opposed to 1. My averages were 3.5+ a hundredth or two, so I don't think it'll need much tinkering. I found that I can throw a 3.5gr charge with my uniflow, dump it in my drum, and adjust it so the powder is flush with the top, and that pretty much got it where I was needing.
Ghost In The Fog
Member
I have posted about a bazillion questions here on the 700X... Just kinding, more like 10 ot 12. I have tried every suggestion, video, dryer sheet, internet search and adjustment imaginable. In a last ditch effort, I purchased 3 baffles for my AutoDrum. I installed them one at a time. After installing the second one, I got really consistent drops for 54 rounds... then one charge was 1.9 grains and I was loading for 4.0. The consistency was gone just like that. I tried adding powder to the same level in the measure- Nuttin'. Added the third baffle and made no difference.
700X is a fantastic shooting powder- 9MM for me- I have to weigh EVERY SINGLE CASE! I have switched powders to Silhouette and AutoComp, both meter PERFECTLY with the AutoDrum. I still have 4 unopened pounds that I have listed here for sale. It just isn't worth the hassle to use it.
I also check visually as each case is loaded and some rounds are light and fluffy and fill the case more than others but yet would weigh 4.0 and others were tight and dense and be noticeably less in the case and weigh 4.0
I have 1300 rounds left that are loaded with 700X and for now it is my IDPA ammo- It is good powder but it will not meter for me at all.
A good friend of mine uses 700X exclusively for his 9MM and uses a Dillon 650 with whatever Dillon powder measure and has no metering issues what so ever. Grrrrr...
I wish I had better news for you, but this has been a 2 year journey to try to get it to meter correctly.
I hope you can find something that works and share it with the rest of us.
Luckily I think it's gonna hammer out ok. My averages last night were pretty spot on (with 2 outliers). I think I just had to get the stroke figured out. I think I'll do another run where I weigh and record 50 drops and see how it does then call it good if I get similar results.
someguy2800
Member
Are you just throwing charge after charge trying to tune in the measure without actually loading any ammo? On a turret press the powder gets jostled a bit as the turret goes to each station so you will get more consistent results if you let the turret go a full round between throwing charges.
Beyond that I guess I don't have any advice as to why it works for me and not others but I run 700x in 38 special, 9mm, and 380 and I never have a throw vary by more than .2 grains from target. Typically if I have it set to throw 4.0 and weigh 10 charges, I will get about 6 4.0's, 3 4.1's and 1 4.2. I almost never get a low charge.
Beyond that I guess I don't have any advice as to why it works for me and not others but I run 700x in 38 special, 9mm, and 380 and I never have a throw vary by more than .2 grains from target. Typically if I have it set to throw 4.0 and weigh 10 charges, I will get about 6 4.0's, 3 4.1's and 1 4.2. I almost never get a low charge.
Not only that "jostling" but the measure gets snapped when the case pulls off the expander...
After reading @Ghost In The Fog 's post about the baffles, I wondered how a weight added on top of the powder, in the hopper, would affect the weight consistency.
The weight could be anything that has a reasonably close fit to the hopper ID, a fender washer with the hole taped over, a disc of plastic, just about anything.
I'd try most anything if I had a bunch of powder to use up.
When I first ran powder through it, I didn't rotate the turret each time, but when I weighed the 49 individual charges, I did. I was loading ammo at the point so I was using every station. I did a test run of 10 charges of TiteGroup. Had it dialed in at 4.1 and weighed 10 to get an average. I rotated the turret each time as well. I was getting around 41.3 or so (I forget exactly), so I definitely call that good. I'll continue testing with 700-X as it is my preferred powder.
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