VanGoghComplex
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I want to set up a second powder measure for my .38spl loads, but I don't want to spend much. Is the Lee Perfect Powder Measure accurate enough to consistently throw ~3gns of Bullseye?
Lee Perfect Powder Measure: precise enough for light loads?
- Thread starter VanGoghComplex
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You talking the original one or the new expensive one?
Either way I thinks so. Have not used mine in a long time but it works fine if you have the side screw tightened correctly. Some will bash it just cause it's LEE and feels cheap but it's actually very accurate.
Either way I thinks so. Have not used mine in a long time but it works fine if you have the side screw tightened correctly. Some will bash it just cause it's LEE and feels cheap but it's actually very accurate.
VanGoghComplex
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I guess the original? What's expensive? The one I'm looking at costs $25.
It does concern me though, that its description reads as being ideal for rifle rounds.
It does concern me though, that its description reads as being ideal for rifle rounds.
Don McDowell
Member
The Lee Perfect Powder Measure is in my opinion about the only thing lee makes worth bringing home. That little measure measures all types of powder very consistently doesn't matter whether the charge is small or large, the little bugger just works.
I could live very happily if it was the only measure I ever owned.
I could live very happily if it was the only measure I ever owned.
baseball2013
Member
Mine works well with Autocomp and Titegroup. Autocomp was more prone to leaking until I tightened the screw on the side.
I set it up to throw a certain charge and then weigh the first several to confirm consistency. The lightest loads I have used has been 3.6 grains.
I set it up to throw a certain charge and then weigh the first several to confirm consistency. The lightest loads I have used has been 3.6 grains.
daboone
Member
This link has some valuable information, tips and improvements for anyone using the PPM. http://jconninv.com/HowTo/howto.leePPM.htm
Vern Humphrey
Member
Mine meters 2.7 grains of Bullseye, my standard load for .38 Special wadcutters.
Dudedog
Contributing Member
I like the PPM and think you would be happy with it. Mine seems to work fine unmodified. Hard to beat for the price. I own and like lots of other Lee equipment as well.
I would also suggest you look at the Lee Pro disk for pistol rounds. You can then do the case flair and powder drop in one step If you have Lee powder thru dies.
BDS has a mod with a machine screw that allows it to throw quite small charges.
Whether a unmodified disk will throw the charges you want depends on the powder and the charge. The .30 or .32 disk should be close to 3gr of Bullseye.
Bullseye is fairly easy to meter IMO.
My LPD throws most pistol powders well (Unique is an exception to this, there are also a few other pistol powders known for not metering well).
I can get 3.7 gr charges of PROMO which is a large flake + or - .1 with no problems.
I think both the Lee PPM and Pro Disk are excellent measures for the money.
I would also suggest you look at the Lee Pro disk for pistol rounds. You can then do the case flair and powder drop in one step If you have Lee powder thru dies.
BDS has a mod with a machine screw that allows it to throw quite small charges.
Whether a unmodified disk will throw the charges you want depends on the powder and the charge. The .30 or .32 disk should be close to 3gr of Bullseye.
Bullseye is fairly easy to meter IMO.
My LPD throws most pistol powders well (Unique is an exception to this, there are also a few other pistol powders known for not metering well).
I can get 3.7 gr charges of PROMO which is a large flake + or - .1 with no problems.
I think both the Lee PPM and Pro Disk are excellent measures for the money.
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I figured you meant the original PPM which what I have and the others mentioned. LEE has come out with a new cast Powder measure which is up in price of the others like RCBS
Yes the inexpensive one is fine, feels flimsy but works and even measures stick powder without cutting better than my RCBS.
I used it for 38 special, 9mm and other pistol calibers when I batch loaded.
http://leeprecision.com/classic-powder-measure.html
gotboostvr
Member
Works good for me too. meters RedDot and Unique acceptably well.
Meters H110 very accurately, just leaks a fair ammount. Adjusting the screw may improve the leak, but its fine.
I have an autodisk pro, and the micrometer adjust too all sitting in the boxes still the PPM works so well I just haven't bothered to set it up on my press.
Meters H110 very accurately, just leaks a fair ammount. Adjusting the screw may improve the leak, but its fine.
I have an autodisk pro, and the micrometer adjust too all sitting in the boxes still the PPM works so well I just haven't bothered to set it up on my press.
Toprudder
Member
I'll echo what most have already said. Fine powders like H110 will leak, but it meters fine.
I like the fact you can twist the hopper, which shuts off the powder flow, then remove the hopper to pour powder back in the jug.
I have found that it does a better job with some difficult powders, like 800x, than some of the higher priced powder measures. One tip is to tap it several times at the end of each stroke, to help settle the powder consistently. In the case of the 800x, I was able to get +/- 0.25gn doing this. The only measure I could get to do better (just slightly) was the Dillon with an aquarium pump strapped to the hopper.
Small particle powders, like Bullseye, should be no problem for it.
I like the fact you can twist the hopper, which shuts off the powder flow, then remove the hopper to pour powder back in the jug.
I have found that it does a better job with some difficult powders, like 800x, than some of the higher priced powder measures. One tip is to tap it several times at the end of each stroke, to help settle the powder consistently. In the case of the 800x, I was able to get +/- 0.25gn doing this. The only measure I could get to do better (just slightly) was the Dillon with an aquarium pump strapped to the hopper.
Small particle powders, like Bullseye, should be no problem for it.
gonoles_1980
Member
I have been using mine just fine. I reweight check every 25 bullets, very seldom do I have to adjust. I did make my loose, run a lot of dry graphite through it, and slowly tighted. That stopped the leakage issue I had.
if one laps the pieces together (it helps the leaks and makes it smooth)
the PPM works as good as any you can buy
Lee has introduced the Classic Powder Measure
of which i have seen extremely good reports including tests using Unique and Blue Dot and getting +/- .1gr repeatability
Lee is also releasing this summer the Auto Drum Powder Measure for press mounting with quick change drums (i am excited about this as even the Auto Disc Pro has trouble with 2.5gr of 700x.... go figure....)
the PPM works as good as any you can buy
Lee has introduced the Classic Powder Measure
of which i have seen extremely good reports including tests using Unique and Blue Dot and getting +/- .1gr repeatability
Lee is also releasing this summer the Auto Drum Powder Measure for press mounting with quick change drums (i am excited about this as even the Auto Disc Pro has trouble with 2.5gr of 700x.... go figure....)
Toprudder
Member
Why does Lee like to call the newest release "Classic"? 
Vern Humphrey
Member
"Classic" means "Pertaining to the Greeks and Romans." The measure was invented by two guys named Luigi and Stephanopolous.
Hondo 60
Member
The original PPM works fine when measuring consistency.
I just hated losing 1/3 of a pound on the floor.
Seriously, using Titegroup it leaked so bad 1/4 - 1/3 of every pound ended up on the floor.
I put plastic bags under it & reclaimed the powder that way.
Eventually I bought an RCBS Uniflow.
The powder measure was more expensive, but I saved LOTS on the powder.
I just hated losing 1/3 of a pound on the floor.
Seriously, using Titegroup it leaked so bad 1/4 - 1/3 of every pound ended up on the floor.
I put plastic bags under it & reclaimed the powder that way.
Eventually I bought an RCBS Uniflow.
The powder measure was more expensive, but I saved LOTS on the powder.
Dudedog
Contributing Member
Classic after the "Classic" cast press, their name for the heavy cast as opposed to Aluminium one.
Hmmm auto drum looks interesting
Hmmm auto drum looks interesting
Toprudder
Member
"Classic" means "Pertaining to the Greeks and Romans." The measure was invented by two guys named Luigi and Stephanopolous.
Oh... That makes PERFECT sense.
The Lee PPM is pretty accurate with small charges of "flake" powder like bullseye. I've loaded alot of .380ACP and even some .25ACP with the PPM.
My complaint with this measure is that it likes to leak powder all over the place. Seems wasteful and maybe even dangerous. I recently replaced my Lee with an RCBS uniflow (which I had issues with from the get go, and had to get replacement parts to resolve but thankfully RCBS customer service was pretty good).
guncheese, that auto drum looks interesting, thanks for sharing that. If it doesn't leak as bad as the PPM I might consider buying one.
My complaint with this measure is that it likes to leak powder all over the place. Seems wasteful and maybe even dangerous. I recently replaced my Lee with an RCBS uniflow (which I had issues with from the get go, and had to get replacement parts to resolve but thankfully RCBS customer service was pretty good).
guncheese, that auto drum looks interesting, thanks for sharing that. If it doesn't leak as bad as the PPM I might consider buying one.
Average Joe
Member
For the price of that new Lee
classic powder measure, I think I would rather buy a RCBS Uniflow , its around the same price.
classic powder measure, I think I would rather buy a RCBS Uniflow , its around the same price.
kerreckt
Member
Mine work great. I use them for the difficult to meter powders. The extruded "logs". They do this better than my #55 or Uniflow. They feel cheap but are amazingly accurate and last a long time with a little TLC. I never had any problems. They were less than $20.00. IIRC, $15.99. An incredible value in my opinion.
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