Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure quality...

[Docendo Discimus]

Is absolutely a piece of trash...

Maybe I shouldn't post when I am as frustrated as I am - so I am prepared for the flames. And I know others use this piece of garbage successfully. But I have had it. I've posted on this before and I don't know what to do - so if you have any suggestions, I'm listening. I am using 296. I have adjusted this thing every which way I can and I don't know what I'm missing. I am getting incredibly inconsistent charges - like full grain differences. I'm lucky when the differences are only 1,2,3, or 4 tenths. Powder is pouring all over my legs with every pull. I have tightened and loosened that black screw. Too loose and powder just dumps from it. Too tight and it bends the lever. Anywhere in the middle and the powder leaks with every pull and the charges are inconsistent. I've taken the whole thing apart piece by piece and reassembled. The drum has extra play at the top and bottom of the stroke - like it's loose. Video of problems below

If no suggestions for a fix, please advise on a different brand that will fit in the Lee turret press.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Could you take the quick change insert out and take a picture of the tapered section that mates with the metal housing? It should have a slightly rough machined finish not a slick molded finish. You may have one of the early inserts that had a known issue with roundness. Be sure to drain any powder out before disassembly.
I have one of these measures and it doesn't leak at all. It is also as accurate as my RCBS uniflow.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Brownells is "lifetime"

lifetime return? 4 real?

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I'll be honest Stefen, about the accuracy part, in your video it doesn't look like you have the stroke setup right. When you show the slop in the drum it clearly isn't at the top of the stroke, it is probably not letting all the powder dump out of the measure so when you vary how fast you run the handle on the press it will vary the amount of powder you are dispensing, but quite a bit.
I don't think something is set up right there.
The measure has to be able to dump all the powder out of the chamber before returning to the chamber fill position or there won't be any consistency.
Yours is only going up about 3/5s of the way.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

send it back on “your” dime. That’s Leen

I didn't know that. I've never sent anything back to Lee. The only thing I've bought from Lee lately is the ABLP press only. It works really well for what I use it for. I did put all my Pro 1000 stuff on it, Including the ball handle assy that I always liked. Mine is dedicated to only one caliber though.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I'll be honest Stefen, about the accuracy part, in your video it doesn't look like you have the stroke setup right. When you show the slop in the drum it clearly isn't at the top of the stroke, it is probably not letting all the powder dump out of the measure so when you vary how fast you run the handle on the press it will vary the amount of powder you are dispensing, but quite a bit.
I don't think something is set up right there.
The measure has to be able to dump all the powder out of the chamber before returning to the chamber fill position or there won't be any consistency.
Yours is only going up about 3/5s of the way.

One reason the Dillion SDB is so popular. Get you into progressive pistol without the frustration. And quality parts too

 

[Mark_Mark]

I didn't know that. I've never sent anything back to Lee. The only thing I've bought from Lee lately is the ABLP press only. It works really well for what I use it for. I did put all my Pro 1000 stuff on it, Including the ball handle assy that I always liked. Mine is dedicated to only one caliber though.

I’m turning my Lee Pro 4000 into the Ultimate Black Powder progressive

 

[drband]

Yes… there are a number of setup issues with the ProAutoDrum.
Are you using a powder measure riser? Is it installed screwed all the way into the powder drop die? It’s the ProAutoDrum screwed in all the way into the riser or die (depending on your setup)? Have you confirmed full travel on the pm after installing? Have you set up case flaring AFTER all of the above have been checked, and the rechecked travel on the pm? Do you have the new machined drum or an older molded drum? Does it seat well? Is the inside of the PM perfectly clean when you install the drum? Is the drum tensioned down adequately? (Tighten till it will not turn, then back off until you get proper travel and dumping)
It’s not overly complex, but there are a lot of moving parts to your problem.
Not saying anything you have set up is incorrect. There are just many things to check. … and there are definitely some quality control points to consider.
I hope you get it sorted out! It’s a fine PM if you get it working as designed.

 

[jmorris]

I am pretty simple. I need to know which linkages/springs I need and how to attach it.

What round exactly are you loading?

 

[mdi]

FWIW; I am pro Lee. I have found that 80%+ of Lee Haters, those that go out of their way to blanket condemn a manufacturer, is user failure. Operator error. Some refuse to read instructions and some have zero mechanical aptitude/ability, and some just don't want to like Lee products (makes them cool, one of the "guys in the know"). Nope I didn't watch the video. No I didn't read all the posts, but seeing words like "crap", "garbage", "junk" I know the leaning the thread going, S.O.S., so I just pass...

 

[Rule3]

lifetime return? 4 real?

Forever!

Guaranteed. Forever.®
We make purchasing and returning products as simple as possible. If you buy a product from Brownells and decide you don’t need it, don’t want it, or just don’t like it, we’ll take it back any time… with a few exceptions

Exceptions include:

• Firearms
• Ammunition
• Modified 80% frames & receivers
• Gun powder
• Primers
• Liquids
• Limited Quantity/Hazardous items
• Products that are subject to pending or implemented restrictions due to Federal, State, or Local regulation/legislation

All other products are Guaranteed. Forever.® you can easily identify these products by the Guaranteed. Forever.® Icon.



Guaranteed. Forever.® return policy applies to the product’s original owner along with proof of purchase. Any items returned within 45 days of delivery are entitled to a refund or identical exchange. Any items returned after 45 days of delivery will be issued store credit in the form of a Brownells Gift Card.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Forever!

Guaranteed. Forever.®
We make purchasing and returning products as simple as possible. If you buy a product from Brownells and decide you don’t need it, don’t want it, or just don’t like it, we’ll take it back any time… with a few exceptions

Exceptions include:

• Firearms
• Ammunition
• Modified 80% frames & receivers
• Gun powder
• Primers
• Liquids
• Limited Quantity/Hazardous items
• Products that are subject to pending or implemented restrictions due to Federal, State, or Local regulation/legislation

All other products are Guaranteed. Forever.® you can easily identify these products by the Guaranteed. Forever.® Icon.

View attachment 1098903

Guaranteed. Forever.® return policy applies to the product’s original owner along with proof of purchase. Any items returned within 45 days of delivery are entitled to a refund or identical exchange. Any items returned after 45 days of delivery will be issued store credit in the form of a Brownells Gift Card.

well dang! that’s worth a ton! the Costco return model

 

[Rule3]

well dang! that’s worth a ton! the Costco return model

Don't tell anyone, they will abuse it just like they did to LL Bean

 

[Mark_Mark]

OP… before you spend anymore money chasing Lee. Except the Lee APP. Buy this, GREAT prices and will
last a lifetime

 

[irishlad]

There is no other powder measure that can be used properly on top of the Lee Turret using the powder through die.

The closest is to use a Hornady LnL but for the money I was not gonna attempt it.

I have years if experience and frustration with LEE products. I was a die hard Lee fan boy, I still have all the presses, dies and powder measures (every one of them)
[/QUOTE}

 

[Rule3]

You quoted me but....

You didn't write anything??

Does your Little Dandy work automatically on the Lee turret press. Does the Lee through hole powder die active the Little Dandy to drop the powder or do you have to manually turn the knob to drop the powder?

 

[CQB45ACP]

FWIW; I am pro Lee. I have found that 80%+ of Lee Haters, those that go out of their way to blanket condemn a manufacturer, is user failure. Operator error. Some refuse to read instructions and some have zero mechanical aptitude/ability, and some just don't want to like Lee products (makes them cool, one of the "guys in the know"). Nope I didn't watch the video. No I didn't read all the posts, but seeing words like "crap", "garbage", "junk" I know the leaning the thread going, S.O.S., so I just pass...

I’m pro Lee too but not blindly so. Regardless of how you or I feel, OP isn’t anti Lee and he’s the only audience we need to address.

 

[CQB45ACP]

You quoted me but....

You didn't write anything??

Does your Little Dandy work automatically on the Lee turret press. Does the Lee through hole powder die active the Little Dandy to drop the powder or do you have to manually turn the knob to drop the powder?

Quoting you says it all. No further comments needed.

 

[CQB45ACP]

OP… before you spend anymore money chasing Lee. Except the Lee APP. Buy this, GREAT prices and will
last a lifetime

View attachment 1098904

Not too expensive

 

[kmw1954]

Fact and Question on the Auto Drum

Fact; The Lee Auto Drum was released in the spring of 2016, that is 6 years ago.
Question; How many do you think Lee has sold in that time? How many are working and how many are sitting under benches in boxes?
I will bet there are more working than not or they wouldn't still be in production. No company keeps turning out garbage that nobody wants and still expect to return a profit. This measure is now also included in all Lee Progressive Press kits.

 

[Stefan A]

Well - all of this is moot now because I am SOL. In my attempt to thoroughly clean every last part - from the expander die to the drum and everything in between, I got a piece of paper towel stuck inside the powder measure. And I mean it's stuck. So, I am forced to buy something new at this point. I appreciate all the comments and help. I'll be back . I have really been trying to do everything that was suggested, including what Lee told me to do. I was about to answer all the latest questions. But I just messed up here at the end.

 

[irishlad]

You quoted me but....

You didn't write anything??

Does your Little Dandy work automatically on the Lee turret press. Does the Lee through hole powder die active the Little Dandy to drop the powder or do you have to manually turn the knob to drop the powder?

Sorry about that I got interrupted and hit the wrong key. I don't know what you mean by properly, but my Little Dandy with a Perfect Adapter works great. It is manually operated. I only use my LCT for pistol rounds and never load more than 100 at a time. It takes less than an hour from start to clean up, including checking with a case gauge. I really like my LCT and the Lee 4 die pistol die sets. The only Lee product that I ever had issues with is the auto drum. I was disappointed, because I really wanted it to work. I'm gonna give em to my neighbor to try. He only loads rifle rounds.

 

[CQB45ACP]

Sorry about that I got interrupted and hit the wrong key. I don't know what you mean by properly, but my Little Dandy with a Perfect Adapter works great. It is manually operated. I only use my LCT for pistol rounds and never load more than 100 at a time. It takes less than an hour from start to clean up, including checking with a case gauge. I really like my LCT and the Lee 4 die pistol die sets. The only Lee product that I ever had issues with is the auto drum. I was disappointed, because I really wanted it to work. I'm gonna give em to my neighbor to try. He only loads rifle rounds.

What’s a perfect adapter?

 

[kmw1954]

Stefan A I don't know how old the model is that you are using. Mine was one of the originals released in 2016 and I had all the problems with it that one could imagine. It would leak like a sieve and would crush the mouths on 380 brass and only 380's. Twice it jumped gear and froze up. Twice I sent it back for repair and both time it was under the warranty period. Yes I had to pay to ship it back. Both times I had it returned at no charge. Both times they also sent a detailed list of what was repaired and replaced. Also had it returned both times in about 8 days including Sat/Sundays. Since then it has been flawless and I load 380, 9mm, 38, 45ACP and 223 with it. Original cost was about $60.00 back in 2016 plus the $7.00 it cost me to ship it back, twice.

So again don't know the age of yours but right now both Titan Reloading and MidWay USA have them for less than $40.00 brand new.

 

[westernrover]

Well - all of this is moot now because I am SOL. In my attempt to thoroughly clean every last part - from the expander die to the drum and everything in between, I got a piece of paper towel stuck inside the powder measure. And I mean it's stuck. So, I am forced to buy something new at this point. I appreciate all the comments and help. I'll be back . I have really been trying to do everything that was suggested, including what Lee told me to do. I was about to answer all the latest questions. But I just messed up here at the end.

If you're not able to fix it, Lee will do it, but shipping might cost as much as a new Lee.

FWIW; I am pro Lee. I have found that 80%+ of Lee Haters, those that go out of their way to blanket condemn a manufacturer, is user failure. Operator error. Some refuse to read instructions and some have zero mechanical aptitude/ability, and some just don't want to like Lee products (makes them cool, one of the "guys in the know"). Nope I didn't watch the video. No I didn't read all the posts, but seeing words like "crap", "garbage", "junk" I know the leaning the thread going, S.O.S., so I just pass...

I'm not a Lee hater. They do make some junky items, and they make some that are as good or better than any. I'm a big fan of their steel lock-ring eliminators. I think they're the single best lock ring designs of any brand. Lee discontinued them and replaced them with absolute crap aluminum ones. I think their Breech-Lock Classic Cast single-stage press is as good as any O-ring press out there -- outstanding. Their plasticy powder measures are crap, but admittedly 1/10th the cost of a good one. I can appreciate that Lee has a long history of making reloading affordable. They deserve a lot of credit for that. When a reloader is looking for something better, they often need to look beyond Lee.

 

[irishlad]

What’s a perfect adapter?

https://gun-guides.com/products/Per...apters™-for-LEE-Powder-Through-Dies-c23094183