Lee Turret, W296/H110 powder metering

[Warners]

I just started loading 44 magnum, and I bought some W296/H110 to do this. Initially, I started with the single 1.57cc powder disk, which seemed to throw 24 grains pretty consistently, just like I'm used to when loading with HP38.

In actual practice though (with the turret spinning around instead of me cycling the flaring/powder charge station over and over without letting the turret spin, I found that was getting a wide variety of powder charges, and they were fairly consistently OVER the 24 grains that I wanted, often running as high as 24.6 grains. THAT wasn't going to work! While loading, I found myself delicately dumping small bits of powder from the case back into the powder bin until my charge weight was correct. VERY time consuming and NOT what I was looking for with a turret press.

I recently purchased the double-disk kit for the Lee press, so figured I'd give that a try. After putting the double stack kit on, I decided to go with a combination of .88 on bottom with a .66 disk on top, totaling 1.54 cc's. After doing this, I got weights between 23.6 and 24.0 grains, but never more than 24.0 grains. The difference in weights was DIRECTLY related to whether or not I ran the turret around or just ran it like a single stage press, charging the case then weighing it, over and over. If I ran it as a single stage press, I'd get the lower powder weights. If I ran it with the indexing bar in (so to speak), I'd get consistent weights of 24.0 grains. I believe the reason for this is because as the turret spins around, it shakes up the powder bin, causing more powder to "shake down" into the disk holes. To me, that HAS to be the difference.

I got to a stopping point reloading (had to pick the wife up from work), but when I start back up, I'm going to test again repeatedly, weighing each individual charge again. If I don't see any charges OVER 24.0 grains after loading another 50 rounds, I'm going to feel more comfortable that I won't overcharge any cases with this double disk setup. If some cases "only" have 23.6 grains, I can live with that.

This W296/H110 is like freakin' SAND!

Thanks for any and all feedback!

Warner

 

[rondog]

Yeah, I think the jarring action of the turret spinning around is factored in to the powder amount dispensed. At least I've noticed the same thing. A good reason to shoot for mid-range loads rather than full-power loads, more latitude for safety.

 

[dickttx]

I did not like mine to move around while the turret turned so I used it without a riser and with the measure to the inside. Much less movement and no problem with the Safety Prime.
When I acquired a LnL AP I moved my Lee Dies and the PAD to it. There it does not move at all. VERY consistent.

 

[Warners]

Yeah, I finally "threw in the towel" with trying to get 24.0 grains exactly. It seemed no matter what combination of disk holes I had in there, if I ran the turret around like you're supposed to, I'd always get overcharges. I switched down one increment at a time and now I'm throwing 23.5 or 23.6 grains EVERY time, without having to mess with anything. I'll have to look at my notes downstairs in the basement to see what disk combination I used to get there. Still a healthy charge and NO over loading. The other thing I knew, but discovered first hand and was somewhat amazed by it is just how quickly one can go through a pound of powder loading up 44 magnum. Zoinks Scooby!

Warner

 

[joecil]

With Lee disks system you can get close but few powders through exact in all cases. Now if you can get a constant charge close to what you want and withing the range for safe loads, then I go with it. Now if I want very concise measurements I throw them like and use a powder tickler to get them exact. Now I have even modified a set of spacers to run a triple disk setup which in some cases will get me even closers.

Now for the log type powders I mostly used in my 45-70 I have actually gone to a Lee Perfect Powder Measure mounted on top of the powder thru die. It works well with flake and stick powders but not so good with fine powders. I also load them as single stage mode without the indexing rod with my pistol calibers with the index rod in.

I have actually stopped using either H110/296 and gone to Lil'Gun as it does meter better for my 454. I also find unlike H110/296 it has a broader load range without creating problems.