Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure quality...

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I use the Lee Drum on a Lee turret for pistol ammo and it works fine.

It's my only loader and I started last year. Leaks just a little but only a little. Especially a fine powder like Enforcer.

Pretty pleased with it. I load 150 rds at a time max and switch calibers often.

I also use Lee Dippers and have customized my own by shaving them down.

To the OP, just to be sure, you're aware there are small drums and large drums?

I think you have a bad housing or drum but just a guess.
 
mdi said:
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...
Click to expand...
ZBM2
 
I don't have a Autodrum, so no dog in this fight. But I can see where WW296/H110 could be a problem with a unit with loose tolerances because it is so fine grained. I've thrown that powder with a Lyman 55 (actually an ancient Ideal #5, it's predecessor) and it would bind up the drum. But it didn't leak.

I once considered getting an Autodrum for my Dillon, but came to my senses and ponied up the extra $50 or $60 and got another Dillon. WW296 will be a powder to be thrown in that dispenser, just haven't set it up for .30 Carbine yet.
 
Tilos said:
I bought an Auto Drum when it came out, but I had been using the Auto Disc measures on 3 Piggybacks, 1 Pro1000, 1 Loadmaster for many years.
I'll admit to tweaking the Auto Discs somewhat to fit my needs, but I found the Auto Drum to be way stiffer to actuate, hard to throw a test charge to weigh, leakage, and sticky to get the full stroke.
I bought the "improved" drums and a plastic parts kit, tried a lighter spring, but nothing seemed to improve the Auto Drum's function (for me).
Luckily, I had only bought 1 Auto Drum measure to "test" so it joined my 3 RCBS uniflow measures on the shelf of shame and I went back to the Pro Auto Disc.
jmo,
.
Click to expand...
OK, I have read the new 3 pages since I posted this and want to offer an $50 alternative for a case activated powder drop.
I have a better understanding of what the OP is looking to do, and his self-proclaimed limited mechanical abilities.

1st, I would suggest you NOT buy that RCBS powder measure setup as it is a mechanical claptrap that is both too heavy for a turret and expensive!
2nd, I suggest buying a Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure and assemble it as I have, as described and shown in the attached pictures.
MirrorS.jpg
In this pic you can see I use the chain arm and a spring attached to the adjoining die.
It will travel with the turret and is easy to disconnect the spring to throw a test charge to weigh.
Sorry, it's on an RCBS press, but I don't have a pic of my Pro1000 or Loadmaster. :uhoh:

So, on a turret the Auto Disk chain return cannot be used because, well, the turret turns.
And I find the oem wrap-around spring return to be almost as stiff/clunky as the Auto Drum and difficult to throw a test charge to weigh.
That, and I have mod'ed the Pro auto disk further to limit ANY leakage, as suggested on the Lee website! :what:
Here's Lee's pic of filing the measure's body for a better seal fit:
LeePic.jpg
So, for $50 for a Pro Auto Disk you can be loading as intended with your turret press.
LEE PRO AUTO-DISK POWDER MEASURE - Titan Reloading
This link has reviews:
Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure (midwayusa.com)
:D
works for me,
Edit: OP any questions, ask away, and I can get painstakingly more detailed if needed, and have more pics.
There seems to be a lot of info missing in the instructions, and I had to resort to blowing up the pics in the manual to verify a lot of stuff.
Just sayin'

.
.
 
Last edited:
Tilos said:
OK, I have read the new 3 pages since I posted this and want to offer an $50 alternative for a case activated powder drop.
I have a better understanding of what the OP is looking to do, and his self-proclaimed limited mechanical abilities.

1st, I would suggest you NOT buy that RCBS powder measure setup as it is a mechanical claptrap that is both too heavy for a turret and expensive!
2nd, I suggest buying a Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure and assemble it as I have, as described and shown in the attached pictures.
View attachment 1099001
In this pic you can see I use the chain arm and a spring attached to the adjoining die.
It will travel with the turret and is easy to disconnect the spring to throw a test charge to weigh.
Sorry, it's on an RCBS press, but I don't have a pic of my Pro1000 or Loadmaster. :uhoh:

So, on a turret the Auto Disk chain return cannot be used because, well, the turret turns.
And I find the oem wrap-around spring return to be almost as stiff/clunky as the Auto Drum and difficult to throw a test charge to weigh.
That, and I have mod'ed the Pro auto disk further to limit ANY leakage, as suggested on the Lee website! :what:
Here's Lee's pic of filing the measure's body for a better seal fit:
View attachment 1099002
So, for $50 for a Pro Auto Disk you can be loading as intended with your turret press.
LEE PRO AUTO-DISK POWDER MEASURE - Titan Reloading
This link has reviews:
Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure (midwayusa.com)


:D
works for me,
Edit: OP any questions, ask away, and I can get painstakingly more detailed if needed, and have more pics.
There seems to be a lot of info missing in the instructions, and I had to resort to blowing up the pics in the manual to verify a lot of stuff.
Just sayin'

.
.
Click to expand...


There is no need to go through all this, I mention in a previous post that the other option was to get the Lee Pro Auto Disk, which is made to work on the LCTP , there is not need to file or do anything to it. It works pretty well as designed. There are even mods to drill a hole in the side of one of the drop holes and instert as set screw so the volume can be adjusted,
 
Not sure how many people are still interested in this thread, and it's all still a moot point, but I just realized I had been using the large drum. According to the manual, the large drum is designed for 35 grains +. I was doing 22. So, that could have been something.

My son, who is apparently more tenacious than me, got the paper towel out. I claimed I loosened it...
 
Last edited:
Stefan A said:
Not sure how many people are still interested in this thread, and it's all still a moot point, but I just realized I had been using the large drum. According to the manual, the large drum is designed for 35 grains +. I was doing 22. So, that could have been something.
Click to expand...

No the drum is not the issue. You can still screw the large drum insert down to "0"

Here is everything from LEE on the Auto Drum

https://support.leeprecision.net/en/knowledgebase/category/auto-drum-powder-measure
 
Hooda Thunkit said:
The number one thing to remember with the AutoDrum and a larger volume powder drop is to make certain to allow enough time for the powder to actually drop out of the measuring cavity into the cartridge case.

One has to keep the case up in the measure for a couple seconds.
Click to expand...

I feel for the OP. Mine did the exact same thing. Play at the top and bottom also the plug at the bottom would snag the case mouth and bend it. I eliminated that problem by polishing the end with some crocus cloth. What i do is lightly tap the side of the drum trhus breaking up any bridging I only use it for 223 Rem. all my pistol is the auto disk which meters very well even 800X and Greendot
 
Only Lee can make THR create a 10 page thread on how and why the drum powder drop is not working and how many hacks there are to fix it.

You see Hornady LNL or RCBS progressive doing this… NOPE.

I’m 100% glade I own a Lee Pro 4000, so I can definitely tell you, It’s not the same quality as a Lee APP press.
 
Stefan A said:
Seems for now the problem is fixed. Just weighed about 20 drops of powder. The first 12-15 or so fluctuated +/- .3. Last 5 pulls actually gave me +- .0. Plus, no leaking. Still, I had already ordered the RCBS Competition Powder Measure. So, I'll play with that too.
Click to expand...
Same! I would get 3-5 perfect drops, then a +\- .3 . very inconsistent
 
Mark_Mark said:
Only Lee can make THR create a 10 page thread on how and why the drum powder drop is not working and how many hacks there are to fix it.

You see Hornady LNL or RCBS progressive doing this… NOPE.

I’m 100% glade I own a Lee Pro 4000, so I can definitely tell you, It’s not the same quality as a Lee APP press.
Click to expand...
To modify your point slightly

Only Lee has NO problems, never has and never will, yet many experienced and inexperienced folks alike can’t see the perfection and the remaining folks can only circle the wagons to protect Lee. Who are they, the Army of Northern Virginia?

(that’s a circuitous route to get to a very sophisticated satirical comment)
 
I have the drum and pro disk...drum works pretty good, but like tilos I prefer the disk. More accurate, virtually no leakage, and with a simple mod you can get adjustable drops as well.
 
CQB45ACP said:
To modify your point slightly

Only Lee has NO problems, never has and never will, yet many experienced and inexperienced folks alike can’t see the perfection and the remaining folks can only circle the wagons to protect Lee. Who are they, the Army of Northern Virginia?

(that’s a circuitous route to get to a very sophisticated satirical comment)
Click to expand...
I still like Lee! it’s the abused & kidnaped psychological effect. I really need a FCD right now!!!
 
As the turret moves around the powder settles / flows better.

So when setting up a drum I tap it and or send it around the turret and It settles down much more quickly. (Settles in to consistent pours)

I reload pistol ammo and have used the Autodrum for 2.5 grs to 15.9 IIRC.

I bought extra drums and mark them because I change calibers/ loads often.
 
Stefan A said:
Seems for now the problem is fixed. Just weighed about 20 drops of powder. The first 12-15 or so fluctuated +/- .3. Last 5 pulls actually gave me +- .0. Plus, no leaking. Still, I had already ordered the RCBS Competition Powder Measure. So, I'll play with that too.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear that you are making progress!
 
Stefan A said:
Seems for now the problem is fixed. Just weighed about 20 drops of powder. The first 12-15 or so fluctuated +/- .3. Last 5 pulls actually gave me +- .0. Plus, no leaking. Still, I had already ordered the RCBS Competition Powder Measure. So, I'll play with that too.
Click to expand...
That's good news.
Try short stroking it to spin the turret for a lap or 2, that will settle the powder, then throw some test drops to measure.
I think you will get the +/- .0 from the get-go.
jmo,
Edit: found a pic of PA Disk on a Pro 1000:
PmSpring.JPG
:D
.
.
 
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Tilos said:
So, yeh, not to be too circuitous here, but perhaps the reason Lee has so many fanboys is because Lee sells more stuff than ALL the other companies COMPINED. :what:
so, there's that,
:uhoh:
jmo,
.
Click to expand...
I know and in the automobile world there are likely far more Chevy fans than Ferrari fans.

Human nature is a funny thing. We believe what we believe and like what we like.

I use Lee with 9mm and Redding with 45acp.
 
Now I find this curious as when I use the Lee Auto Drum or the Auto Disk I get the exact same results with the Turret press that turns and the Pro1000 or Pro4000 that doesn't turn. Wonder why that is?
 
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