Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure Problem

[Sam Adams]

I got a Lee Classic Turret a few weeks back from Midway. Its mounted, I've got dies set up just the way I want them in one of the turrets for 9mm (I have 7 others for calibers that I'll also load on it), and everything is perfect...except that the powder measure is throwing powder all over the place.

Obviously, I have the thing set up incorrectly. I think that I either have the disks (I got the double disk kit, and the micro disk) placed in the wrong position, or they're upside down (though the micro is above the standard disk, as per Lee instructions), or the powder measure is facing the wrong direction - or some combination of these. I don't think that the spring is set up the wrong way, as the press seems to correctly turn the turret with each pull of the lever.

Can someone with a bit more expertise/experience setting up the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure please give me a step-by-step list of exactly what to do. Use simple, child-like language and imagery, so that it penetrates my thick skull.

Many thanks, in advance. It'll say me a lot of time cleaning powder off the bench, floor and press (where lots of it sticks because I've wiped all of the metal with FP-10).

 

[benedict1]

Obviously, I have the thing set up incorrectly. I think that I either have the disks (I got the double disk kit, and the micro disk) placed in the wrong position, or they're upside down (though the micro is above the standard disk, as per Lee instructions), or the powder measure is facing the wrong direction - or some combination of these. I don't think that the spring is set up the wrong way, as the press seems to correctly turn the turret with each pull of the lever.

I don't believe that you can use the Micro Disk as one of the pair in a double disk setup. The Micro Disk has a special adapter so it fits the groove in the measure--if that's not in place the powder will just fly out the end. It lodges in the drop hole on the measure and must be in place.

Who told you that you could use the Micro Disk as part of the Double Disk setup?

 

[Sam Adams]

if that's not in place the powder will just fly out the end.

It is almost as if you were in my garage watching this happen.

The Micro Disk has a special adapter so it fits the groove in the measure. It lodges in the drop hole on the measure and must be in place.

Who told you that you could use the Micro Disk as part of the Double Disk setup?

It seemed that way from the instructions. They aren't, IMHO, very clear, but that's just me...and I can even chew gum unt typpppppppeeee et ze zaim tttyme.

Thanks VERY much for your post - now I'll see if I can actually start producing ammo instead of cleaning Titegroup out of the tiny little holes that it finds its way into.

 

[RustyFN]

I was wondering why you would need the micro disk when you would be using one of the smallest disks with Titegroup for 9mm already? I use the disk labeled .32 and throw 4 grains of Titegroup. Titegroup is one of my favorite powders for 9mm. By the way great choice on presses I love my Classic.
Rusty

 

[Sam Adams]

RustyFN and benedict1

I was wondering why you would need the micro disk when you would be using one of the smallest disks with Titegroup for 9mm already? I use the disk labeled .32 and throw 4 grains of Titegroup. Titegroup is one of my favorite powders for 9mm. By the way great choice on presses I love my Classic.

I was hoping to fine-tune the load to 4.3 grains, which I had previously found was a very accurate and dependable load. As it turns out, I used the .37 hole and got 4.2-4.3 grains - I'm happy with that, because while I'm a pretty decent shooter, I'm not good enough to notice that small a level of inconsistency in a powder charge.

By the way, it took until last night to finally start pumping out rounds. I made 60 rounds in about 15 minutes, though only using 2 of the dies (the vast majority of my handgun cases have already been sized/deprimed, primed and belled). I'm pretty happy, and I'm looking forward to making many thousands of rounds of various calibers. The Lee Classic Turret Press is a marvel of good engineering and great quality control. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Thank you both for your help.

 

[RustyFN]

Sam you might want to try the adjustable charge bar. Just be careful when you try to throw to small of a charge. It should work fine with Titegroup over 4 grains. I had trouble trying to throw 3 grains of Titegroup.
Rusty

 

[Sam Adams]

Thanks. I have the adjustable charge bar, I just haven't used it yet. The 9mm that I've been loading is the first thing that I've used on the turret, but I'm sure that I'll be needing to make some really fine-tuning soon (as in loading for accuracy with rifles). As for going too low on Titegroup, that just won't happen. The 4.2-4.3 grain loading for 9mm is the least that I'll be using (my only other use is .45, and I use 5.3 grains for that with 230 gr RN bullets).

 

[Zippy06]

Sam and rusty.
I got the same dilemma. Titegroup and 9mm. Try to load LWC in .357. Book indicates 3gn. And bullet flush with case. It's a little hot.
Tried the adjustable measure. Didn't work out. There was a very fine line. Either no powder or too much(a few flakes or over 4gn. After that fine.) . :banghead:
I went with the smallest disk/hole. Still a little hot.

 

[fastbike]

How about the micro disk

Have you tried the micro disk? I thought it was particularly design for very small loads.

 

[Sam Adams]

Rusty & Benedict

Last night I loaded up 2 1/2 boxes of 9mm. The first 1 1/2 were done in bits and pieces (and extra couple of minutes here and there on trips to the garage to take out the garbage or get something from the freezer), and the last in about 12 minutes while She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed was on the phone with my M-I-L.

I'm in reloader's heaven - I LOVE my turret press, and I wonder where its been my whole life. OK, OK, not really - but that's not far off. Once I'm done with 10 boxes, I'll load up a new turret with .45 dies and be off to the races with that.

My wallet is beginning to cringe, knowing how much powder and how many bullets I'll be reloading this year.