I just got a Lee Perfect Powder Measure as part of the Anniversary Reloading Kit. It seems to be leaking a few dozen granules of powder onto the table below it with each charge. Anyone else have this problem? I'm using AA7, which is admittedly a fairly fine powder.
Lee Perfect Powder Measure Leaks Powder
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armoredman
Member
Yes, the PPM leaks ball powders, which is why I use it with the stick powders only. Ball powders I use the RCBS Uniflow. For some odd reason, the nylon drum of the PPM works very well with stick powders, though.
It certainly does leak ball powders as armoredman said, but I continue to use mine because it is accurate. It works better than others on IMR powders, IMO. It's not the best ever made, but it is certainly worth every penny of the $20 or so that it costs.
ftierson
Member.
I use a Lee Perfect Powder Measure for all of my measuring needs...
H110 presents a problem similar to the AA7 one mentioned. The H110 balls are extremely small and tend to leak between the cylinder/drum surfaces and bind up the drum.
Whenever I use H110, I tighten up the drum of the LPM until it turns fairly stiffly. That seems to keep the H110 from infiltrating between the drum surfaces as much...
The same technique should work with AA7.
Forrest
H110 presents a problem similar to the AA7 one mentioned. The H110 balls are extremely small and tend to leak between the cylinder/drum surfaces and bind up the drum.
Whenever I use H110, I tighten up the drum of the LPM until it turns fairly stiffly. That seems to keep the H110 from infiltrating between the drum surfaces as much...
The same technique should work with AA7.
Forrest
benedict1
Member
The really fine ball powders leak from just about everything--you ought to try loading .410 bore shotshells with a MEC Shotshell press and Win 296!
It is a fine line between having the bushing/rubbing surfaces so tight that they can't leak , but then they won't slide up against each other.
I'm sure there are some really expensive measures that handle it better, but for the $$ PPM is hard to beat.
It is a fine line between having the bushing/rubbing surfaces so tight that they can't leak , but then they won't slide up against each other.
I'm sure there are some really expensive measures that handle it better, but for the $$ PPM is hard to beat.
Rod B
Member
The LEE PPM is fine for extruded pwders however it leaves a lot to be desired when trying to dispens ball powders.
I encountered leakage & binding when using AA#5 or Bullseye.
I now use the PPM only for extruded.
For Ball & Flake powders the RCBS UniFlo does the job.
I encountered leakage & binding when using AA#5 or Bullseye.
I now use the PPM only for extruded.
For Ball & Flake powders the RCBS UniFlo does the job.
FieroCDSP
Member
NEVER spill ball powders. I had half a hopper of AA#2 in my auto disk pro and forgot to turn off the feed before changing cavities. I had to strip my loadmaster and it took three days to clean it.
EZred
Member
I have had the same problem with this measure, especially with AA#7 and H380. I just started putting a paper plate under it while I charge cases to catch the few grains that leak. The measure has proven to be very accurate over the long run, so I just use the paper plate for easy clean up.
Thanks for the tip, red. I was thinking about doing the same thing with an aluminum foil tray. Since I don't have a ton of surplus cash to spend on additional equipment I'll just deal with it. Nice to know I don't just have a malfunctioning measure. Since I'm starting with a minimum charge and working up, I was afraid that I was losing a part of the charge, and dropping below the minimum.
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