After defending Lee equipment on this and other forums for the past several months I'm a bit reluctant to ask this, but . . . Tonight while loading some 9mm on a Loadmaster using a Disk powder measure, I got occasional cases with little or no powder in them. At first I was using the measure with the spring return system, because the chain return tends to work its way around to where it is unscrewing the turret locking knob with each down stroke. But I noticed that on occasion the spring wouldn't return the powder bar to the rear of the measure (to pick up the next charge.)
So I changed the system, and reinstalled the chain return lever. Even with positive return at the end of each ram stroke, there were times when a case would show up empty after going through the powder stage. I could see that the powder bar was moving, but occasionally a case would come through with little or no powder in it (0.3 to 1.1 grains, with the powder bar set to dispense 4.5g.) I'm using Universal Clays, a fine flake powder which normally meters very consistently. I was using the adjustable charge bar in the powder measure. The opening in this bar is a sort of long, narrow oval shape when it's set to dispense 4.5g of Universal. I got to thinking that maybe powder was packing up somehow just above the charge bar - I've heard of stick powders "bridging" the powder channels, but wouldn't have thought this was possible with small flakes. The powder showed no clumps when I poured it back into the can at the end of the session, so I don't think it got wet or anything.
I switched to the traditional disk, which has a round hole that aligns perfectly with the outlet port of the powder hopper, and for the last 50 rounds or so had no problems. But I'm wondering if anyone else has an explanation for what might cause this sort of interruption?
Thanks for any suggestions (other than that I should just buy a Dillon and be done with it.)
So I changed the system, and reinstalled the chain return lever. Even with positive return at the end of each ram stroke, there were times when a case would show up empty after going through the powder stage. I could see that the powder bar was moving, but occasionally a case would come through with little or no powder in it (0.3 to 1.1 grains, with the powder bar set to dispense 4.5g.) I'm using Universal Clays, a fine flake powder which normally meters very consistently. I was using the adjustable charge bar in the powder measure. The opening in this bar is a sort of long, narrow oval shape when it's set to dispense 4.5g of Universal. I got to thinking that maybe powder was packing up somehow just above the charge bar - I've heard of stick powders "bridging" the powder channels, but wouldn't have thought this was possible with small flakes. The powder showed no clumps when I poured it back into the can at the end of the session, so I don't think it got wet or anything.
I switched to the traditional disk, which has a round hole that aligns perfectly with the outlet port of the powder hopper, and for the last 50 rounds or so had no problems. But I'm wondering if anyone else has an explanation for what might cause this sort of interruption?
Thanks for any suggestions (other than that I should just buy a Dillon and be done with it.)