Lee Auto Drum Issues

[Load Master]

In the original post @lpsharp88 was talking about metering 700X. I have struggled with 700X myself for quite a long time and some of us can't get it to measure no matter what we do.
Like @Load Master and @Tilos I couldn't agree more- if it ain't broke... My Lee meters AutoComp, Silhouette and BE-86 perfectly. I set it for the charge ant it does not vary + or - anything. Very consistent. Many people here have no issues with metering 700X but others of us just can't figure it out and are looking for ways to make it work.

Yeah, 700X I have not used, don't really know anything about it. Is there a a quality about this powder that make it attractive compared to the others you listed? Out of the powders you listed, I like AutoComp and Silhouette. I've had very good results with them as far as metering and shooting. Silhouette I like for its reduced flash.

 

[lpsharp88]

I chose it because it was fairly cheap, economical (in terms of charges needed), and filled the case pretty well so I wouldn't miss a double charge

 

[Ghost In The Fog]

Yeah, 700X I have not used, don't really know anything about it. Is there a a quality about this powder that make it attractive compared to the others you listed? Out of the powders you listed, I like AutoComp and Silhouette. I've had very good results with them as far as metering and shooting. Silhouette I like for its reduced flash.

A friend who I met here online that gave me great help when I got started reloading swears by 700X. So... being me, I jumped in head first and found a bunch and bought a bunch! He said it was good stuff so who was I to disagree.
He uses a Dillon 650 and Dillon metering and has absolutely zero issues metering. Me, well not so much. I really like the powder. 4.2 grains under a RMR 124 grain gets me a solid 1050 FPS and it is inexpensive, shoots nice. Good powder if you can get it to meter. I too like both AutoComp and Silhoutte but working with the RMR 124 grain JHP's the recommended velocity is 1100+ FPS. Hard to get there with either of those powders without going outside the load recommendations. BE-86 appears to solve that problem. Higher velocities and less pressure, it appears so far anyway. I have 50 loaded and ready to chrono but just can't find enough time. It also meters perfectly with my Lee autodrum.
I still have 4 pounds of 700X that I have purchased and I am always hopeful to find a way to get it to meter for me.

 

[Tilos]

A friend who I met here online that gave me great help when I got started reloading swears by 700X. So... being me, I jumped in head first and found a bunch and bought a bunch! He said it was good stuff so who was I to disagree.
He uses a Dillon 650 and Dillon metering and has absolutely zero issues metering. Me, well not so much. I really like the powder. 4.2 grains under a RMR 124 grain gets me a solid 1050 FPS and it is inexpensive, shoots nice. Good powder if you can get it to meter. I too like both AutoComp and Silhoutte but working with the RMR 124 grain JHP's the recommended velocity is 1100+ FPS. Hard to get there with either of those powders without going outside the load recommendations. BE-86 appears to solve that problem. Higher velocities and less pressure, it appears so far anyway. I have 50 loaded and ready to chrono but just can't find enough time. It also meters perfectly with my Lee autodrum.
I still have 4 pounds of 700X that I have purchased and I am always hopeful to find a way to get it to meter for me.

...and what powder measure are you using for 700x that always leaks?
Not looking to flame a brand here, just might have a fix...

 

[Ghost In The Fog]

...and what powder measure are you using for 700x that always leaks?
Not looking to flame a brand here, just might have a fix...

It's not me that is having trouble with the leaking. As in my post, I use the Lee AutoDrum and I have no operational issues with it all- other than it won't meter 700X I welcome any advise you might have for metering 700X

 

[RealGun]

A friend who I met here online that gave me great help when I got started reloading swears by 700X. So... being me, I jumped in head first and found a bunch and bought a bunch! He said it was good stuff so who was I to disagree.
He uses a Dillon 650 and Dillon metering and has absolutely zero issues metering. Me, well not so much. I really like the powder. 4.2 grains under a RMR 124 grain gets me a solid 1050 FPS and it is inexpensive, shoots nice. Good powder if you can get it to meter. I too like both AutoComp and Silhoutte but working with the RMR 124 grain JHP's the recommended velocity is 1100+ FPS. Hard to get there with either of those powders without going outside the load recommendations. BE-86 appears to solve that problem. Higher velocities and less pressure, it appears so far anyway. I have 50 loaded and ready to chrono but just can't find enough time. It also meters perfectly with my Lee autodrum.
I still have 4 pounds of 700X that I have purchased and I am always hopeful to find a way to get it to meter for me.

The Lee unit that measures powder in similar fashion to the Dillon is the AutoDisk, which is what I use for 700-x and will be what I try, if I ever open the jar of 800-x in my powder collection. My AutoDrum is doing fine with Unique and finer powders.

 

[Ghost In The Fog]

The Lee unit that measures powder in similar fashion to the Dillon is the AutoDisk, which is what I use for 700-x and will be what I try, if I ever open the jar of 800-x in my powder collection. My AutoDrum is doing fine with Unique and finer powders.

I started out with the AutoDisk, it's what came with my press. It too is a good measure but I could not get it to meter 700X so I bought the AutoDrum when it came out hoping for better results. I'm really happy for you the the AutoDisk works for you.

 

[RealGun]

I started out with the AutoDisk, it's what came with my press. It too is a good measure but I could not get it to meter 700X so I bought the AutoDrum when it came out hoping for better results. I'm really happy for you the the AutoDisk works for you.

A possible key to my success is using the disk rather than the adjustable charge bar. The round aperture may make a difference in how evenly the powder flows. I also am using a substantial volume for 44-40.

 

[worker]

Lee Autodisk will measure well when the volume (disk number) is greater than 0.52 or so.
Anything below that, with flake powder -- is going to be a problem
For example, the Autodisk will not measure consistently Unique powder below about 4 grain.
Lee's manual recommends to use 0.39 disk for 3.9 grain of Unique. However, one will have to go to 0.53 disk to get 4.1 to 4.2 grains of Unique.

So when people say they get good results with Lee autodisk, they will either
a) drop around 5 grains of flake powder or more
b) they use ball powder.

I use 0.53 disk to drop 4.0 to 4.2 grains of unique with Titan baffle.
I can get 4 drops in a row at 4.1 grains but, then, it kind of wonders between 4 to 4.2 and very rarely 3.9 or 4.3.

I think the spread is ok for my 9mm 124 grain hollow-base plated berry bullets.