Lee Pro Auto Disc Problem

[tkcomer]

Having problems using the Lee Pro Auto Disc Powder measure. While stationary, I can consistently measure 25.6grs of Tac powder. But while in motion on the turret press, it measures 26grs of powder. Stop the turret, and it goes back to 25.6grs. Put the turret in motion, it measures 26grs. I've noticed this in other powders also. Is this a common problem with the Auto Disk? Trying to figure out if the best way is the “shake” the powder measure to get my load readings. Has anybody else run into this?

 

[GP100man]

tk
ive used the AD for yrs. & i always give the press a good solid bump at the bottom of down stroke , i can keep herco & 800x to within a tenth or 2 this way

GP100man

 

[jfh]

I got rid of this problem

by using a charge bar instead of the disks--but probably even more important was

1. keeping the container full,

2. tapping it firmly to settle the powder, and THEN

3. setting the charge on the bar and confirming the charge by weighing.

That was with most ball powders; I used mostly 231 then--and still will now that I'm reloading again.

Jim.

 

[tkcomer]

Here's the thing. The disk will consistently put out 26grs of Tac as it is rotating. Rotate it around, and it drops 26grs. Stop the press and it will fall back to 25.6. It will jump .2grs with True Blue and the Micro Disk.. Doesn't sound bad until you realize 3.6 to 4.0 is the range for my 38s. It seems to be consistent with a full hopper or a low hopper. Stationary it drops one charge and after rotating around, drops another charge. If I do shake it a little, it will drop the higher charge consistently. Tac and True Blue are very fine grain powders. I love this new Lee Classic Turret setup, it's just this powder inconsistency is puzzling me. Kinda frustrating to figure out what disks to use only to have the charge change when the press goes into operation.

 

[wally]

If you will be rotating the turret when charging use the disk or adjustment that throws the weight you want after its rotated. If it will be stationary, us the other setting.

Any by volume measure will throw charges that vary with changing "vibrations" if used in a different mode of operation. You have to make it consistent in operation. The lighter charges ( 3-4gr) will have much smaller volumes making the variations caused by the vibrations proportionally less, but you'll still find them if you look. Consistency in operation is the key.

If you make two sets of say 10 rounds each, weighing every charge to make a 1% variation between them, (say 20gr vs. 19.8gr or 20 gr vs. 20.2) when actually shooting these loads I doubt you could tell them apart unless you were really pushing max load limits.

--wally.

 

[pinkymingeo]

My Pro Autodisk is consistently inconsistent with most powders. The first drop will be be .1-.2 high, the next dead-on. It's a pain, but when getting close to max loads I dump the first charge, then recharge checking every fifth on the scale. The exception I've found is Titegroup, which meters perfectly every time.

 

[RustyFN]

tkcomer, as the disk rotates the powder is shaken and settles into the disk which allows a little more to fall in. When it is stationary you don't have the shake to help settle the powder. Set it up like Wally suggested. I put a case in the shell holder and drop powder into it and then measure the powder drop. I do this a few times measuring every one and making the turret go around on every drop. If I have to make a change to a disk or charge bar I always make the turret spin a complete revolution before I run the case into the powder die. I always make sure I get five consistent drops before I am comfortable I have the right charge. It isn't as hard as I probably made it sound. Hope this helps.
Rusty

 

[mc223]

That sounds like very good advice RustyFN.

 

[RustyFN]

mc223: That sounds like very good advice RustyFN. Is this an inherent issue with this equipment or would it be the exception? Almost seems a shame I got mine somewhere other than WalMart.

It's not really an issue. You just need to set it up the same way it is going to be used. I have found the Pro Auto Disk to be very accurate. I know what you mean, I couldn't buy my Lee equipment at Walmart either. They only sell RCBS equipment.
Rusty

 

[RobZ71LM7]

Weird. My pro auto disk is extremely consistent with Ramshot TAC. It's usually +/- .05-.1 grains at the worst. It performs similarly with H335 and Win231.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

It's usually +/- .05-.1 grains at the worst.

What kind of scale are you using that will measure 0.05g?

 

[tkcomer]

I think I'll use the “shake powder measure method” to get my charge weight. Like I said, it is consistent and that is what it's dropping during reloading. I haven't had this setup very long and this kinda threw me off. Sierra lists a max of 26.3grs of Tac for the .223 in 55gr. Thought I'd be OK at the 25.6gr load, but later found out it was actually kicking out 26gr. I'm trying to figure out if the stopping and starting the press, checking the powder, and loading different charges is the cause of some of my fliers. But then again, my trigger finger is probably the culprit of that.

 

[FieroCDSP]

On my Loadmaster I give the measure two or three solid taps before raising the ram to charge. Then I place the bullet and tap measure for the next one. Then again, I use mostly flake powders, but I manage the better consistancy with the taps than without.