Mixed cases and powder drum malfunction

I'll increase the flare, too.

 

Not a lot tho.

 

Aha! Take a look at the three photos here and look for the little aluminum disconnecter button on the lever. That and the chain & lever should’ve been in a plastic bag when you bought the auto drum. This could splain a lot

 

Actually, it was, I just failed to notice that CQP was pronouncing on what his measure does with a different caliber, not you describing a trial with .45s.
Let us know when you have tried some .45s.

Flare the dickens out of them, the most that will enter the seating die.
I put bullet condition ahead of "brass life".

 

True, as I described, that’s just what I set up & used as a test for this thread to refresh my recollection from when I used the auto drum. I also used it with 45ACP back then and the results were then and will now be the same of that I have no doubt.

But it’s not my problem we’re trying to solve, so OP by all means, test, test, test until you solve, solve, solve.

 

I'm not familiar with any of this. I can't wait to get home and check!

Would the drum work without these items?

I thought I knew enough about this powder dropper but apparently I barely know it at all.

 

Without button, yes for certain. You remove the button and use hole to attach chain. Relying on memory here, but the chain simply “automates” the reset on a progressive press I think, but manual reset is still there without the chain. I’d test it for you but I haven’t dragged out my turret press for this test, yet but don’t think it’s used on turret.

 

Don't worry about it. They were useless.

 

I think you conflated two separate statements.... I made no such assertion that they were all garbage. I asserted they are mechanically simular and the Lee was garbage.

 

I think you’re missing the point. With all the mixed range brass I’ve loaded, case length didn’t affect powder drop, with at least the LNL or Dillon measures. I don’t own a Lee drum, but would expect it to drop powder, consistently, within a range of case lengths as well, or it wouldn’t sell. I think it’s a bit harsh to call it garbage.

 

Agree on all points.

 

That’s fitting of its own thread…how much is a dickens?

 

And yet you use the button?

 

It’s the positive return for the powder measure. Not having it could cause intermittent no charges.




First time I had a similar problem was many years ago, with the original linkage for the Dillon powder measures. Gravity and springs work, until the measure sticks, then it doesn’t. That’s it in the pliers, the cure was the addition of the “fail safe” rod, that has the same purpose as the Lee chain, no matter what the measure is going to reset at the bottom of the rams stroke.

 

Everyone has a different standard. My expectation of performance is based on subsafe. Nasa developed a simular standard after challenger. I don't need a dramatic example to have high standards. I buy products that work as they should. I weigh every charge that goes into every case I load. The weakest link in any system is tolerance. In my system that's the tolerance of the scale.

 

The AutoDrum should work with most any resized case if installed properly.

As for

NOE makes PTX expanders that will fit in the AutoDrum setup. Lee is rumored to be working on m-type PTX plug, too.

This is the best info you will get! Most folks having issues with the AutoDrum have not installed it correctly into the PTX die— or the PTX riser— or a combination of BOTH. the powder measure must be fully screwed into the riser, which must be fully screwed into the die, which only then can be set up for proper case flare and powder drop function.

I agree!

 

I use the auto drum for 45/44/9mm/357. Never trim handgun brass and my auto drum works great. I worry about charge weight a lot pulling charged cases and weighing powder . The auto drum is very close if not spot on 99% .I must’ve got a good one .I load on lee classic turret press . I took the auto advance rod out because I still weigh a lot of charges. After years of loading I should be able to load more progressively but I suppose I have a touch of ocd . My auto drum works great far from garbage in my eyes.

 

I always allow a few seconds for the powder to drop. I also found when the drop starts to bridge powder. A clean up is due.

 

Are you sure you adjust die after the riser and auto drum are installed and not before? Looks like their confusing instructions indicate one way for pistol and another for rifle.

 

I haven’t used every powder measure imaginable, but I have used RCBS, Hornady, Dillon and 2 types of Lee, including the Auto Drum, and case length variations among mixed headstamps has never been an issue.

OP is using it on a turret press. I don’t think the “safety” reset chain that has been mentioned can be used on that press since the PM rotates with the turret head and is not stationary. But, the PM should be reset by the built-in spring unless it is binding or not installed correctly.

OP, I suggest you keep a sharp eye out on the drum to see if it resets every time. I agree with Rule3 to take it off, clean it and reinstall per Lee’s directions.

 

Yes. Quite sure. If the AutoDrum and riser are not fully screwed into the die, the drum will not rotate fully and dump powder. Additionally, there is no way for the AutoDrum & riser to hold adjustment unless they are fully screwed into the die.

Die height (amount the die is screwed into the turret) determines travel/flare from the case that actuates the AutoDrum.

 

As my photos show, I am familiar with how this unit is assembled and I do know how it works.

My question was about the sequence of adjusting the expanding/flaring die. It’s been several years but I thought the die was adjusted for depth and THEN the riser and auto drum were mounted on top.

I loaded only pistol and had consistent success but I don’t remember adjusting the die with all that stuff sitting on top of it. Oh well, doesn’t really matter since I don’t use it anymore.

Edit: Actually never mind. I just did it die first then added riser then added drum and that’s definitely the way I used to do it and it definitely works and it’s less clunky than trying to adjust fully assembled. Have no clue about rifle though.

 

I gave up on the auto drum a long time ago. Way too quirky and inconsistent for me. I use a Little Dandy on my LCT now. Works great.

 

I bought one of those adapters too and another type but then stopped altogether and now dip. Go figure