Lee Perfect Powder Measure and Loads Less than One

[gfanikf]

In short I setup the Lee Perfect Powder Measure and I calculated out the required setting of 4gr of Unique is .4368. The amount given in the Lee Manual dealt with a rifle load that was 3.28. I was just wondering how do I set the device with a number that requires less than one unit.

 

[rcmodel]

Adjust the powder measure by adjusting it and weighing the charges with your powder scale.

You can't use numerical settings because every can of powder you buy will have slightly different density.

rc

 

[gfanikf]

Thanks I was planning to measure each time to be on the safe side.

On the bright side I'll be returning it...I finally figured out how to get the Auto Disk working and more importantly I noticed I could fully break it down and get rid of some stuck powder that had been driving me nuts and...look I feel like an idiot never noticing the screw. lol

I'll of course make sure to validate the charges, but this will make my life a lot easy and allow me to do a box easily in an hour or so.

 

[joecil]

I use a Excel spreadsheet made by Ranch Dog to figure the VMD of a new bottle of powder. I take 10 scopes with a know cc dipper (I use the Lee dippers for this) and then average out the 10 weighted loads. At that point you divide the volume used (dipper size in cc)/average weight. This will give you a very close to actual VMD for the powder. I write it on the lid to the powder or a piece of paper and tape it to the bottle. I then use it to figure the rest. I've found that the listed VMD are off enough to make a difference when you want real accurate loads especially at the top and bottom of a load.

 

[Hondo 60]

It's all trial & re-trial.

Lee's data is not accurate.

 

[Elkins45]

The volumetric data is good for giving you a starting point, but you always have to verify your settings by weighing the charges until you have it adjusted to throw the charge you want.

 

[david_r]

It's all trial & re-trial.

Lee's data is not accurate.

Can you clarify that statement? When I read "data," I hear load data. As far as I know, Lee republishes bullet and powder mfg data. What makes it inaccurate?

 

[kenjs1]

gfanikf- don't feel bad, I never figured out the auto dial and AND also only recently pulled out my perfect measure to retry it. Run a few hoppers full of powder through it to get it 'seasoned' and it works pretty well. I still measure every load - so you ain't the Lone Ranger. enjoy!

 

[twofifty]

Lee's instructions for setting the PPM stem are approximations - use your scale to fine tune the setting for your particular powder lot.

 

[1KPerDay]

Can you clarify that statement? When I read "data," I hear load data. As far as I know, Lee republishes bullet and powder mfg data. What makes it inaccurate?

Their chart for powder dispensed per setting is inaccurate, but it's predictably inaccurate in all cases I've checked. They err on the side of safety. A particular setting will always throw less powder than the chart says it will. After a while working with a particular powder, you can quite accurately estimate what a particular orifice (in the case of the Lee Pro auto disc measure) will throw. Mine usually throws between .2-.5 grains light, depending on powder. But as noted, once you actually weigh your charges you can edit the chart/write down the correct setting and throw very accurate charges.

 

[gamestalker]

That's all good and well that you discovered the screw, just don't get complacent and decide to rely on volume without first verifying it on a scale. Those of us who have been doing this for a rather long time know just how much variance can exist with vol metric powder systems. Every time you buy a new canister of powder you have verify it's volume to weight ratio.

GS