Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure quality...

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Tilos said:
So, yeh, not to be too circuitous here, but perhaps the reason Lee has so many MORE fanboys is because Lee sells MORE stuff than ALL the other companies COMPINED. :what:
so, there's that,
:uhoh:
jmo,
.
Click to expand...
I own so much Lee stuff that it’s ridiculous.
 
scrap it. I have had about every issue with this piece of junk and every time I get a problem fixed, something else F-'s up.

I weakened the spring from 250# down to about 60#. It stopped crushing cases after that.

I cut the extension pipe down, so is stopped destroying turret threads. (as shipped, it only threaded into 1.5 threads. It was extremely wobbly) It leaks way less through the bottom from misaligned cases.

I added a second die lockdown nut, and cut out a plastic bottle to catch the powder that leaks. the second nut hold it in place.
I found about 10% of the weight of the powder dispensed leaked.

I honed the inside of the body, and the outside drum -99% improvement in leaks. Still leaks a little.

Lately, charge consistency has gotten horrible. Turns out the gearing doesn't actually force the drum all the way up, or down. Just about 1/2 of the hole overlap. A 43 grain charge of H335 runs 40-47 grains. To get a good charge, you have to manually move the drum all the way up, and down to complete the stroke.

The last paragraph is why I'm trying to convert mine into a manual system. Its surprisingly hard to remove the automated stuff and still have it work.

Mine is unsafe, hard to use trash. There are too many fundamental design flaws. I gave up and got another Perfect Powder measure. Its not automatic, but it's accurate to 1/10 of a grain, holds up well, and doesn't leak much.
 
If you can use an Auto-Disk for your setup do so. I haven't used the double disk, so I cant speak to that, but I have rand the Auto-disk for years, and they are very good. You need a riser to make them work easily on a turret press, though if you try hard enough, you can make it work without it.
 
mjsdwash said:
scrap it. I have had about every issue with this piece of junk and every time I get a problem fixed, something else F-'s up.

I weakened the spring from 250# down to about 60#. It stopped crushing cases after that.

I cut the extension pipe down, so is stopped destroying turret threads. (as shipped, it only threaded into 1.5 threads. It was extremely wobbly) It leaks way less through the bottom from misaligned cases.

I added a second die lockdown nut, and cut out a plastic bottle to catch the powder that leaks. the second nut hold it in place.
I found about 10% of the weight of the powder dispensed leaked.

I honed the inside of the body, and the outside drum -99% improvement in leaks. Still leaks a little.

Lately, charge consistency has gotten horrible. Turns out the gearing doesn't actually force the drum all the way up, or down. Just about 1/2 of the hole overlap. A 43 grain charge of H335 runs 40-47 grains. To get a good charge, you have to manually move the drum all the way up, and down to complete the stroke.

The last paragraph is why I'm trying to convert mine into a manual system. Its surprisingly hard to remove the automated stuff and still have it work.

Mine is unsafe, hard to use trash. There are too many fundamental design flaws. I gave up and got another Perfect Powder measure. Its not automatic, but it's accurate to 1/10 of a grain, holds up well, and doesn't leak much.
Click to expand...
Wow! you should do a Lee Auto Drum, Stand Up bit. U’m dieing laughing right now.

A wise man once told me, “ You get what you pay for” in Lee’s case, you pay 1/2 the shipping and 1/2 the retail
 
Okay I am a complete newbie at metallic reloading (have reloaded shot shell for 20 years). Got a lee classic turret kit with the auto drum last week. Set it up this evening and loaded 50 rds 9mm. Worked perfect for me. Loading 3.0 grains of Win 231. Once I had it adjusted it threw consistent charges +/- .1. No leaks.
 
Well 296 sucks In Dillon powder measures as well if you makes you feel better. (IT LEAKS)

There are two measures I have NO COMPLAINTS with

1. Ch 502

2. Star universal and progressive powder drops

They drop accurately in regards to volume and no leakage.

The secret is the tolerance to which the parts are machined.
 
KY DAN said:
Well 296 sucks In Dillon powder measures as well if you makes you feel better. (IT LEAKS)

There are two measures I have NO COMPLAINTS with

1. Ch 502

2. Star universal and progressive powder drops

They drop accurately in regards to volume and no leakage.

The secret is the tolerance to which the parts are machined.
Click to expand...

Plastic parts are not even machined. :eek:
:rofl:
just sayin',
.
 
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.
My son, who is apparently more tenacious than me, got the paper towel out. I claimed I loosened it...
Click to expand...
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...
What about the measure short stroking, unless that also went away, your accuracy won't last. Is it going high enough to dump all the powder out of the drum? Did the paper towel have anything to do with that?
 
Well... another Lee basher figuring out that he was using the equipment incorrectly.

Imagine that.

When I was having the same troubles, I called Lee. I listened carefully to what the very helpful woman told me, and then followed directions. Some adjustments later, I'm using a very accurate powder measure.

I'm not saying that going on a forum and screaming about JUNK ! JUNK! isn't fun, but it won't fix the problem. Perhaps checking with the people that designed and built it would be a good first step..
 
Hooda Thunkit said:
Well... another Lee basher figuring out that he was using the equipment incorrectly.

Imagine that.

When I was having the same troubles, I called Lee. I listened carefully to what the very helpful woman told me, and then followed directions. Some adjustments later, I'm using a very accurate powder measure.

I'm not saying that going on a forum and screaming about JUNK ! JUNK! isn't fun, but it won't fix the problem. Perhaps checking with the people that designed and built it would be a good first step..
Click to expand...
Points well taken!
 
Hooda Thunkit said:
Well... another Lee basher figuring out that he was using the equipment incorrectly.

Imagine that.

When I was having the same troubles, I called Lee. I listened carefully to what the very helpful woman told me, and then followed directions. Some adjustments later, I'm using a very accurate powder measure.

I'm not saying that going on a forum and screaming about JUNK ! JUNK! isn't fun, but it won't fix the problem. Perhaps checking with the people that designed and built it would be a good first step..
Click to expand...
I guest I should read the instructions on my Lee Powder Puff Drum Bum. Or I can just use equipment that doesn’t require a PHD in reading instructions!!!
 
I use the pro auto disk and the Adjustable charge bar. It works great for me and I use 231 and 296 and many others. Get the adjustable charge bar and store the goofy disk setup. With it you can dial in excactly what charge you want.
Charge bar Powder Measure Accessories - Lee Precision
Powder measure Automatic Powder Measures - Lee Precision
Been using this for 30 yrs (same one) and still works like a champ.
I used to use a loadmaster but got fed up with primer feed f'ing up 20 rnds out of 100. Went to Dillon 650xl and have not looked back. Now I load 1-2000 with 1 or 2 goof ups. Usually because of operator. I use the Lee pro disk on the Dillon also for pistol. Drilled chain hole out and used Dillon rod and works perfect.
And here is my 2 cents worth......If you plan on staying with loading and load quite a bit and can afford it, get good equipment. Don't cheap out. It will save you a ton of headaches.
Good luck on your endevor!
 
KY DAN said:
Well 296 sucks In Dillon powder measures as well if you makes you feel better. (IT LEAKS)
Click to expand...

I have no such issues with W296 in my factory Dillon powder measure........The only cartridge I load with that powder is 30M1 Carbine....prolly 2000 rounds so far.....??

@Stefan A

JMO....the instruction sheet that comes with any product is usually fairly helpful, and the customer service # of most companies is one of the best places to start with issues...
 
Soonerpesek said:
I have no such issues with W296 in my factory Dillon powder measure........The only cartridge I load with that powder is 30M1 Carbine....prolly 2000 rounds so far.....??

@Stefan A

JMO....the instruction sheet that comes with any product is usually fairly helpful, and the customer service # of most companies is one of the best places to start with issues...
Click to expand...

You speak truth
 
Mark_Mark said:
I heard they are turning a FBI campus, somewhere in Northern Virginia, into a huge primer factory.
Click to expand...
As long as it’s run by the rank & file and old timers it’ll be a fine place. But if they go up the ladder I think there’ll be a lot of mistrikes.

I wonder how the big factory in Texas is doing. Remember the guy who posted on here his buddy’s buddy got a personal tour?
 
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