Lee Pro 1000 Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure Help

[General Lee]

I recently bought the Lee Pro 1000 progressive press.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=347040

If anyone has reloaded .223 with this press you know it has to use 2 disks stacked on top of the other. I found out after I bought the press I needed to buy the support bars and longer bolts to hold the powder measure on. While trying to get the powder charge correct it seems nearly impossible. It seems like if I get in a good rythm I can keep it to a .2 to .3 grain charge differential, but if I stop for any period of time I can get up to a .5 to .7 differential in the charge. Part of the powder hangs up on top of the top disk and causesthe powder to leak all over the place while using the press and causes this differential in charges.

I have heard from different people to try cleaning it with a dryer sheet and with soap and water to get the static charge from it, but it doesn't seem to work. Powder is constantly hanging up on top of the top disk. Which in turn causes the powder to leak once I finish getting powder in the shell.

If anyone has any ideas of now to fix this problem please let me know!

 

[noylj]

1) you wash the plastic parts in warm soapy water and let them dry. Do not rinse off.
2) Are you stacking them in accordance with Lee's directions for top disk and bottom disk?
3) For rifle loads, ±0.2gn is insignificant.
4) Have you cycled some powder with graphite through the measure to "season" it?
5) I would not use the auto-disk for rifle cartridges. Get the Perfect Powder Measure or the Hornady, RCBS, Lyman, Belding & Mull measures

 

[RustyFN]

Powder is constantly hanging up on top of the top disk.

The powder is hanging up on which disk? If it's the bottom disk then they are in backwards. You always want the top disk to have the smaller hole. I use the PAD on a classic turret with the double disk for 223 and my powder drops are very consistant.

Sorry just re-read it and saw the top disk. Make sure the bolts are tight enough and the wiper thingy is in good shape. You want everything to fit snug. Also the two side spacers can only go one way. I have heard of people putting them in backwards and having a problem like yours.

 

[bomb dropper]

I havnt got my double disk kit yet. But I did make my own with a couple aluminum spacers and in that process I learned that the torque you put on the screws has a pretty good effect on your charge weights. Make sure the two screws are not hung up and are sitting flush and are snug. Also what kinda powder are you using? Mine was giving me fits with varget and imr 4895

 

[General Lee]

I am using Win 748 powder. I am using the smaller disk on top. The powder is actually sitting on top of the top disk. I have finallly got this problem solved but powder still trickles down and makes a horrid mess after almost each use. I will try the other tricks listed and update. I kind of lost track of this post for a while I was frustrated.

 

[Rule3]

I have the Pro Auto Disk but do not use it for rifle cartridges, only for handguns.
As listed in the instructions you need to run at least one full canister of powder through it to coat the plastic to prevent "static cling" The disks will eventually get coated also. You can pour some powder in a bowl and swish the disks around in the powder to speed up the process. Make sure the little foot is engaged in the disk or you will have a real mess. I have the box of double disks but to be honest I have never used them. With handgun loads I can find the one disk that is close enough or use the adjustable charge bar. For rifles I use the perfect powder measure as I do not need large amounts of those. It's dead on consistent for 223. I have spot checked it since I bought it. For the 30-06 I weigh each one as I do not want to screw one of those up.

 

[bison]

What powder are you using? I use H335 for my .223 and only use one disc with the biggest hole - it drops 24.5 gns very reliably.

For larger rifle (270 and 30-06) I tried the double disc and also double-dumping and gave up. I either just measure or use the Perfect Powder measure.

 

[okespe04]

Cover all parts where powder is getting stuck with a #2 pencil. Just scribble all over the disks inside and out, the graphite acts as a nice lubricant and the power will slide right through.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Sounds like you're getting some flow out between the top of the discs and the wiper on the bottom of the dispenser. First, empty it and then clean all traces of powder grains off of the wiper and disc, then coat the plastic parts with graphite. And make sure the screws are tightened when you put it back together.

The heavy charges when you pause are from powder settling. I always run the powder drop 4-5 times after a break to get the charges to settle back to where you want them. And in rifle loading .2gr variation isn't a huge deal, you'll get almost as much shot-to-shot velocity variation with weighed charges.