Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure

[RB98SS]

Hey guys,

I just received my Classic turret and want to get a powder dispenser for it. I plan on ordering the Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure. I will be adding a Safety Prime also, so I will order the riser.

I'm a little confused though on the additional "add-ons" that supposedly make it higher capacity and more accurate. Specifically the Adjustable Charge Bar, and the Double Disk Kit.

Is it worth getting these "add ons"?

I plan on using it for .357, .45ACP, .44 and possibly .50AE.

Thanks, Gary

 

[ants]

The disks have fixed cavities. For a lot of folks that's no problem. The adjustable charge bar is rather hand for dialing loads between cavity sizes. Many users have difficulty getting it to work with small loads (under 2 grains) but your calibers shouldn't have that problem. It's up to you, but I think it's perfect for that powder measure.

The double disk is for rifle loads requiring 30 to 60 grains of powder. Your 50AE might need it, since max loads are generally up to 30 grains.

Both accessories are cheap. If you have a few extra bucks, might as well get them. That's the advantage of Lee equipment.

 

[Seedtick]

Hey RB,
I'm not the voice of experience, I've only had mine a few days, but I am amazed at the repeatability. I have only used the adjustable charge bar so far and it works great. I've loaded a few 9mm and 380 with HP 38 and Power Pistol. I also picked up the double disk set and the micro disk but I haven't tried them yet.

ST

 

[TeamRush]

Personally, since I shoot for accuracy, I prefer a micrometer adjustable powder dispenser.

I have the Lee disk primer, and it's anywhere from 2 to 5 grains off on EVERY charge.
Fine for wasting ammo, plinking ammo, scaring the neighbors cat ammo... ect.

But for accuracy rounds, my money is on Redfield micrometer adjustable powder thrower.

 

[jfh]

The pro version of the Auto Disk Measure will be fine for use with the Classic Turret.

Be sure you get a riser, and I would also recommend a swivel. (Because I upgraded my older gear, I am not sure how these 'accessories' are packaged with new gear these days.) The riser is necessary to provide clearance for the Safety Prime, and the Swivel makes it easy to align the measure on the radius, inside the circumference--the proper location.

I quit using Lee disks early on--bought an aftermarket adjustable charge bar fifteen years ago. There's nothing wrong with the disks, provided you sort out your preferred loads carefully with a scale. But, if you are going to do load development, not merely find a safe load, you need the ACB. I've updated my charge bars to the Lee versions, and I find they do not work reliably below about 3 grains--Ants, was that a typo?

Accurate weight will be repeatable with ball (231, #5, etc.) and smaller extruded powders or granules (Viht. powders). Flakes, long extrusion, etc., are problematic in my experience. I generally consider the ACB setup to deliver a chosen weight +- one tenth of a grain. If .50AE requires large--say over 25 gr.--charges, then you'll probably want to weigh the charge and not rely on disks or the ACB. (FWIW, for my novice rifle reloading, I am using H-335 with my aftermarket charge bar, and I can do .223 (rifle-type) production on my turret with weights of nominally 25 gr.)

The Safety Prime is a fine addition, too, but it may take some tweaking to get running right, and it does require developming a new 'muscle memory' sequence. If you are a new reloader, I would recommend doing your learning curve without the Safety Prime installed. IOW, set up the dies, try SS operation to get a feel for each die, then build some dummy cartidges, all the while learning the operation. Once you get the process down, then add in the auto-indexing of the press and build some more dummies. When comfortable, go back to SS operation and add in the Measure and get it set up. Once you are comfortable with the repeatability of the charge, then go back to auto-indexing. Meanwhile, stay with manual primer insertion.

Then install the Safety Prime, and start learning the kind of motion and force needed to reliably dispense the primers.

Any other questions, just ask.

Jim H.

 

[RB98SS]

I've been reloading for a few years so I'm good with the process. What I want is to be able to mount a charger on the press and have it dispense automatically. I'm not too concerned with exact charges as its mainly for pleasure shooting. If I want more consistancy, I'll use my Chargemaster and my Lyman press.

Jim, you said you bought an "aftermarket adjustable charge bar". What exactly does that do and will it fit the bill for me?

What other options are there for auto dispensing charges on the press?

Thanks again, Gary

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I have the Lee disk primer, and it's anywhere from 2 to 5 grains off on EVERY charge.
Fine for wasting ammo, plinking ammo, scaring the neighbors cat ammo... ect.

A 2 to 5 grain variation, if that is what you really have, indicates something is very very wrong. Either you haven't set it up right, or yours is defective.

Mine is +/- 0.1 or 0.2 at the most. The Pro-Auto Disk is fine for most uses. That said, I prefer the Hornady case activated powder measure.

 

[jfh]

RB98SS: That aftermarket bar is a simple version (no vernier, etc.) of the Lee bar. It's extruded and machined aluminum, polished and anodized, and of large capacity, etc. It's no longer available.

The PADM on the Turret will be perfect, given your reloading experience already. Just watch the operation as you charge the case, and always be sure to do full strokes of the press when charging.

Jim H.

 

[RB98SS]

One more question. Does the Auto Disk riser sit on top of the powder thru expander die, or do I need something in addition. How is it secured?

Thanks again.

 

[RustyFN]

One more question. Does the Auto Disk riser sit on top of the powder thru expander die, or do I need something in addition. How is it secured?

Yes the riser will screw into the powder die and the measure into the riser. The pro auto disk measure will come with the swivel already attatched to the measure. I use the pro auto and found it to be very consistant. For example loading 9mm I will select the disk to throw 4.2 grains of Titegroup and it will throw 4.2 grains all day with no variation. You will have to settle for the loads the disks will throw but I have been able to find good loads with the disks. I have a charge bar and had trouble with it but I was trying to throw light loads. I also have the double disk kit for loading 223 and it works very good. Here is a picture of the riser and pro auto.





Rusty

 

[ants]

[Variation of] 2 to 5 grains off on EVERY charge.

That's often the result of installing the hopper backwards. The drop hole is no longer aligned with the cavity.

 

[jpwilly]

My Lee Auto Disk Pro throws very accurate charges. For example the .53cc chamber virtually always dumps 4.8gr of Bullseye into my 45acp cases. It's +-.1gr accurate. It's worked perfectly since the first day I set it up after 1000's of rounds ago and almost 2 years.

I have the Lee disk primer, and it's anywhere from 2 to 5 grains off on EVERY charge.
Fine for wasting ammo, plinking ammo, scaring the neighbors cat ammo... ect.

May I ask what you are doing throwing powder with a "Lee disk primer" Ha ha ha...LOL I know you wrote that wrong but I don't buy it!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm also using a Lee 4 Hole Turret Press with the Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure and I'm very happy with the setup.

I bought the "double disk kit" but I hardly use it so you might want to save your money on they item.

I use the "adjustable charge bar", it's a good item to buy.

Another very good add-on it the "micro-disk" because it's reliable throws very light charges whereas the adjustable charge bar doesn't.

 

[GP100man]

i have regular auto discs & have added a swivel & riser & don`t regret it a bit!
i treat the hopper with powder graphite & that helps with consistentsy alot!

GP100man

 

[evan price]

The "Double disk kit" consists of another set of 4 disks, a pair of longer hopper screws, and a couple of metal reinforcing bars that bridge the gap between the hopper and the measure's body to make room for a second stacked disk. If you want to load anything that takes a lot of powder (the .500 possibly) you would need either a double-disk kit, or just select a charge that can be easily divided in half and throw it twice.

Be aware that stacking two identical disks does not always get you double the charge.

I personally worked up loads I like then customized my own set of disks to throw whatever I want by reaming the holes. I marked those disks so I know what they are.

My Lee Autodisk throws right at +0 and -.1 grains consistently. I use it for all different charge weights.

Typically the AD will throw a bit light, usually .2 or .3 light. This is a "design feature" so that in a worst case scenario (such as a denser lot of powder that is humid or something) you do not exceed the nominal weight.

All powder measures dispense a volumetric measurement of a substance that needs to be measured for avoirdupois weight instead. Lee went ahead and made a volumetric measurement conversion ratio for most of the common powders and it is this that you use to get in the ballpark to getting the drop you want.

 

[aerod1]

I have the Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure, with the double disk kit, the adjustable charge bar and the micro disk. I have been able load pretty much anything I want with this set up on my LCT.

 

[RB98SS]

Well I got all my goodies the other day. The disks, bin, and charger all needed some powder graphite to get a smooth powder flow but everything seems to work pretty good. I do wonder how tight and how well that one screw is going to hold the hopper in place with repeated twisting to open and close the hopper though.

Otherwise, I like it so far.

Also, I put a sleeve of plastic tubing around the spring to get rid of the "twang" everytime I threw a powder charge.

 

[TX1911fan]

For pistol, the adjustable charge bar is a MUST!! It is so great to be able to fine tune your load without changing disks. I use the double disk kit for rifle and it works great too, just not as fine tuneable.