Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure Driving Me Nuts

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

almadude

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2009
Messages
7
I have a Lee Pro 1000 reloader and it has the Auto Disk Powder Measure on it and the damn thing is driving me nuts:cuss:

I am using Unique powder and 180 gr cast bullets and the Lee instructions that came with the 40 S&W dies state that I should start with 5.2 grains of powder using the .57 disk. I tried that and after weighing the powder many, many times on an electronic scale, I am only getting 4-4.2 grains:banghead:

I am only getting 5.0 to 5.2 grains when I use the .66 disk which according to cavity chart that came with the measure, should be putting out 6.0 grains. What am I doing wrong? Also how do I pull the bullet out of already loaded rounds without messing them up?
 
Got the same problem. Using the .88 disk which should be 8.1 gr. weighing it on the scale it's only 7grs. I use the trickler to make it 8.0grs. To pull the bullet out after it's been loaded can use the kinetic bullet puller
 
The powder measure is set up like the dipper, to throw light charges in case some dumbass tries to use them without a scale. Just bump up in size or get the adjustable charge bar.
 
You're not doing anything wrong. The chart is only nominal and in my experience using it gives light charges. You need to weigh a sample of thrown charges to get the actual weight a particular hole will throw. You need to find a hole that will give you a charge that you want or get you close to a charge that you want. After you've done that you will find the system works well. Also realize that Unique is not the best metering powder, ball powders like 231 work better in the auto disc.
 
I have also experienced this and do exactly what the others have mentioned. I write down the disk holes that I use for each powder and drop that I get with that powder. I will also add that I have experienced this will all the powders I have used in the auto disk.
 
Throw the chart away and rely on your scale, select the hole that gives you the scaled weight you desire.. Mine didn't follow the chart either. Throw 20 - 25 charges and weigh them, then rock on.
 
I have also experienced this and do exactly what the others have mentioned. I write down the disk holes that I use for each powder and drop that I get with that powder. I will also add that I have experienced this will all the powders I have used in the auto disk.
Click to expand...

Ditto. I think that the Lee Auto Disc thing is very consistent, once you figure out what it's throwing. But yes, with Unique and W231 I've found it throws a fair amount LESS than the Lee chart says.

One other lesson I learned: even though the Lee auto disc is very consistent, I would still check maybe every 20th or 25th (pistol) round charge. During one of my reloading sessions the little screws that hold the top part onto the disc assembly came loose, causing larger and larger charges to get thrown since there was more and more room for powder to pour into as the screws loosened. I was surprised to see that what I thought was a 5.0 grain charge had gotten up to the 5.4 5.5 range in just a little bit, I'm glad I checked before it got too far!

The variable charge bar is nice, but I think I get more consistently thrown charges with the discs so I haven't used my variable charge bar in over a year now.
 
Same deal here, disk throws light charges. I think Lee did this for legal and safety reasons. Use the chart to get started, then weigh your charges to get what you want. As long as it throwes consistant charges after that you're good to go.

Only other tip is to upgrade to the Pro model then there won't be any screws to strip out.
 
just did my first reloads last night on my new Lee Classic Turret. I opted for the adjustable charge bar Lee PN# 90792 (about $10) rather than using the provided disks and it was very simple to dial in the exact load I needed with about 6 or 7 tries (I use only 231/HP-38).

Since I reload for .380, 9mm and 45ACP in different weights/styles of plated and jacketed bullets, I figured the adjustable bar would simply my life greatly rather than unscrewing and rotating disks all the time.

FWIW the thing throws very consistent charges once you get it set and at least mine had zero leakage of the powder during operation.

I made the "error" of buying the standard disk kit and the adjustable bar separately. I have since also sent away for the Pro upgrade kit. I didn't realize that the Pro Disk measure would work on a standard turret, as well as a progressive,(it includes the spring and lever). The upgrade kit also comes with the charge bar, so now I have two. Oh well, learn by doing over - lol
 
Thanks for all the answers!! Now will the 180 gr bullets with only 4 grains of powder leave the barrel?
 
For some powders the chart is pretty decent, with others it is way off.

I do as MassMatt and write down the hole size that gives me the charge i'm looking for and put it on the load label, makes for easy prep when doing the same load the next time.

For reference with unique I use for my 9mm loads:
.61 LAD=4.8gr.
.66 LAD=5.2gr.

The chart can give you a good starting point but weighing the charge per hole is the only way to know for sure what the LAD is throwing.

As to the consistancy of unique, I have no problem with it giving the right charge weight every time. You do have to watch for the problem with the unit unscrewing as gator had. I've only had this happen once, but it does happen if you don't tighten down the thumbscrews enough.
 
I had the same problem when I first started using the disk. I talked with the good folks at Lee and they indicated the chart was a starting point and had been developed using Bullseye powder for all the cavaties of the disks.

Well, I happened to have some Bullseye and I checked two complete disks and sure enough each cavity threw right on the number of grains the chart said it would.

So, having that information it made things easier for those loads which use Bullseye, and for the other loads of Unique I experiment until I find the cavity which suits my needs.

Just my 2 cents worth.
 
W231(light), Power Pistol(+P), H110(magnum) are the powders I use because of their reputation, and they work well in Lee's Perfect Powder and Auto Disk powder droppers.

Unique and 700X guys can use the dipper. :p
 
Unique and 700X guys can use the dipper. :p
Click to expand...

700x measures ok out of mine. I have used it for light lead target loads, and its always within .1-.2grains. Close enough for a light target load. Especially considering I could go up a full grain before having problems. As far as other powders, its dead on and reliable with bullseye.
 
Throw the chart away and rely on your scale, select the hole that gives you the scaled weight you desire.. Mine didn't follow the chart either. Throw 20 - 25 charges and weigh them, then rock on

Well I wouldn't throw out the chart as it does put you in the ball park. I find the Auto Disk does throw out lighter charges than listed also. Other than that, I agree with the above advice.
 
I have found the same, but if you read the instructions that come with the measure, it tells you it probably won't be right on because of the varying densities of different lots of even the same powder.

I also got the adjustable charge bar and it is great for loading pistol (9mm). Very consistent with HS-6.
 
The orifice specified is an approximation. You should try others that are close to the one specified and weigh each. The one that throws the weight you want is the one you should use.
Once you learn how to use the Pro Auto Disk it is a great system!!:)
 
I have the same loader, it has provided me with plenty of fun problems to try and fix. Im saving up for a single stage press and a powder measure. The first thing to start messing up on mine was the auto primer. One case wouldn't get primed and i'd end up with H110 everywhere.
 
I have a Dillon 650, my first press was a Lee Loadmaster....I like the accuracy of the Lee powder measure so much, that I have put it on my Dillon...You may have to find the right disc, but once you do...it is ALWAYS the same load..
 
Ghiller,

Doesn't the Dillon operate the same (with a cavity) as the Lee?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

area51
  • Locked
Lee pro auto disc and Unique...
Replies
22
Views
3K
Dudedog
Dudedog
L
  • Locked
lee pro disk powder measure
Replies
12
Views
523
squarles67
S
ClemBert
  • Locked
CONFUSED: Lee PRO vs Non-pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure
Replies
24
Views
5K
dickttx
D
T
  • Locked
Best Powder for Lee Pro Auto Disk
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
1SOW
1
T
  • Locked
Lee auto disk powder measure vs pro auto disk powder measure
Replies
3
Views
490
ReloaderEd
R
Back
Top