Press mounted powder measure.

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CrankyCraig

CrankyCraig

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I’m looking for a good powder measure I can mount to my LCTP. I have the Lee autodrum and it’s crazy accurate even with Unique +/- .1 of a grain.

However, when I load 231 or CFE Pistol it leaks enough to be a pain in the ass. If it can’t handle that then HS6 or AA#5 are not even an option. it’s Accurate but it leaks around the drum I tried everything tighten it up try different drums etc, etc. seems this is a known issue.

I would really like something press mounted or if not press mounted something that will not leak 231 and the like. I guess that’s what I get for a $35.00 powder measure.


Thanks in advance,
Craig.
 
I have the Hornady mounted on the Lock n Load progressive press. It measures very well with both Unique and 231. I have used it with CFE 223 as well with good results. The powder measure is only $65 but you will need additional linkage and mounting hardware to mount it to the press and I'm not sure which pieces it takes to do that. A call to Hornady may be the fast way to figure that out. I wish I had a second one that I could use off the press just as a standard powder drop.
Did some additional research:
You may only need the case activated powder drop linkage to mount it to your press. Another $60 though. This would let you use the powder through expander dies which I like. Just make sure the one you order has the pistol rotor, the rifle rotor won't likely measure small pistol drops as accurate as you would like.
 
HHmm, my Lee autodrum is OK with AA#2, might pull it apart and clean it and make sure everything is tight.
Seem to recall a post where someone else had this issue and a solution but can't seem to locate it at the moment. (or recall what the solution was)
I have the Hornady measure on my LNL, nice measure, but I think you can make the Autodrum work.


https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lee-autodrum-leaking-h335.803460/

If you don't tighten it up enough and it starts to leak, you have to start over and take the whole thing apart. If there's stray powder in the works, it's going to leak.
Click to expand...
 
I've got two Lee Autodrums and neither of them leaks enough to worry about with CFE-P. At worst a few granules between the dies in the middle of the turret after 200 rounds. I'm thinking any cure might be worse than the disease.

Have you tried a different drum? Is the groove around the edge of your measure housing perfectly machined? I just set up a new Autodrum today and found the sanding on the drum was a bit rough and cleaned it up with some 400 grit wetorday. If both are good it should be just a matter of a little more nut tension to achieve a good seal. I know it's a PIA but if you send it back to Lee I'm sure they'll bend over backwards to help you with the issue.
 
Three Auto Drums, using CFE-Pistol, Win 231, Unique, 2400, and BE-86. Very slight leakage out of one, the others needed a little TLC when I set them up, but neither one leaks more than a few grains during a 2 or 300 round session. By TLC, I mean I used some 600 grit paper on the pop metal and some graphite lube. I also had to fiddle with different drums to find the combination with the smallest tolerances. The third one I set up and it ran just file. I like 'em and I have a little camel hair brush I use to sweep up the few grains that occasionally leak. I've no experience with really fine powder. I reviewed a number of youtube videos on how to setup the Auto Drums; check out youtube. Hope you get some satisfaction.
 
ray15 said:
I've got two Lee Autodrums and neither of them leaks enough to worry about with CFE-P. At worst a few granules between the dies in the middle of the turret after 200 rounds. I'm thinking any cure might be worse than the disease.

Have you tried a different drum? Is the groove around the edge of your measure housing perfectly machined? I just set up a new Autodrum today and found the sanding on the drum was a bit rough and cleaned it up with some 400 grit wetorday. If both are good it should be just a matter of a little more nut tension to achieve a good seal. I know it's a PIA but if you send it back to Lee I'm sure they'll bend over backwards to help you with the issue.
Click to expand...
I loaded about 20 rounds and it looked like I leaked 3 grains lol yeah I tried 3 drums. I’ll look it over again.
 
I haven't tried the Lee AutoDrum but I do use a Pro AutoDisk and it works well for me. I also have a Lyman #55 but only use it as a stand alone when loading rifle ammo on a single stage press.
 
ray15 said:
I've got two Lee Autodrums and neither of them leaks enough to worry about with CFE-P. At worst a few granules between the dies in the middle of the turret after 200 rounds. I'm thinking any cure might be worse than the disease.

Have you tried a different drum? Is the groove around the edge of your measure housing perfectly machined? I just set up a new Autodrum today and found the sanding on the drum was a bit rough and cleaned it up with some 400 grit wetorday. If both are good it should be just a matter of a little more nut tension to achieve a good seal. I know it's a PIA but if you send it back to Lee I'm sure they'll bend over backwards to help you with the issue.
Click to expand...
I have several drums & yeah a few look rough one is so slick you can almost comb your hair in it but the others look rough.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
I haven't tried the Lee AutoDrum but I do use a Pro AutoDisk and it works well for me. I also have a Lyman #55 but only use it as a stand alone when loading rifle ammo on a single stage press.
Click to expand...
I have the pro auto disk and charge bar as well. I may be going back to it. Depends on if I can get this darn thing to stop leaking.
 
Dudedog said:
HHmm, my Lee autodrum is OK with AA#2, might pull it apart and clean it and make sure everything is tight.
Seem to recall a post where someone else had this issue and a solution but can't seem to locate it at the moment. (or recall what the solution was)
I have the Hornady measure on my LNL, nice measure, but I think you can make the Autodrum work.


https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lee-autodrum-leaking-h335.803460/
Click to expand...
Thank you I’ll give it a shot!
 
I have 3 measures. All 3 have their favorite powders & powders that don't measure worth a darn.

1. Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure
2. RCBS Uniflow
3. Dillon Powder Measure.

The Dillon works GREAT with TiteGroup, Accurate #2, #5 & #7, W231, Universal, RL-15, Varget & others
Does NOT work well with 2400 & Lil Gun.
Lee Measure works great for those 2.

Uniflow works with pretty much everything, but I don't have the linkage to put it on the press.

Not 700X - I haven't found a PM that measures that powder. :( :barf:
 
Dudedog said:
HHmm, my Lee autodrum is OK with AA#2, might pull it apart and clean it and make sure everything is tight.
Seem to recall a post where someone else had this issue and a solution but can't seem to locate it at the moment. (or recall what the solution was)
I have the Hornady measure on my LNL, nice measure, but I think you can make the Autodrum work.


https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/lee-autodrum-leaking-h335.803460/
Click to expand...

DudeDog, Thanks for all your help after a nice slice of pumpkin pie I pulled it apart and cleaned it out as meticulously as possible & tightened it up a great deal more. I dropped 20 charges of CFE and didn’t experience any powder showers heck I could not find a flake on my press. I’ll just make sure I follow the same process from here on out. Really appreciate your efforts to help me out.

Thanks again!
 
CrankyCraig said:
DudeDog, Thanks for all your help after a nice slice of pumpkin pie I pulled it apart and cleaned it out as meticulously as possible & tightened it up a great deal more. I dropped 20 charges of CFE and didn’t experience any powder showers heck I could not find a flake on my press. I’ll just make sure I follow the same process from here on out. Really appreciate your efforts to help me out.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Yes, even a stray flake or two inside the drum housing or on the drum can cause leakage!

Always use a soft brush to clean out everything when changing drums.

One other hint: there’s a big o-ring under the nut that holds the drum. It can fall off when making changes, so always check for it when switching.
No o-ring = a big mess of powder on your press and bench!
 
If you have the auto disk and it doesn’t leak, that’s what I would use, zero cost.

I prefer the disks to the adjustable bar myself.
 
Yeah, despite all the hype about the autodrum's accuracy, I never switched from my Pro Auto Disks. No issues and they meter everything in pistol that I use well (W231, CFE Pistol, Trail Boss).
 
Another Lee Pro auto disk user. I use it in Dillon RL 550 and LNL AP.
Easier to adjust the bell and empty. I use Bulleye, W231 and WST powders.
 
Wow
I’m getting ready to setup my bench after moving
I too have a LCT and am getting ready to start loading higher volumes so am looking for a powder dispenser to go in the press

Based on the comments it looks like the best choice depends on the powder used

Does anyone use BE86 in a LCT and if so which powder dispenser do you use?

How about H335?

And I’m fine with both having their own dispenser as I have multiple turrets and keep the dies in the press
 
Hokie_PhD said:
Based on the comments it looks like the best choice depends on the powder used

Does anyone use BE86 in a LCT and if so which powder dispenser do you use?

How about H335?

And I’m fine with both having their own dispenser as I have multiple turrets and keep the dies in the press
Click to expand...
The older Lee Auto Disk measure was somewhat picky about the powder used, but the current Auto Drum works pretty well with about any common powder. They are also cost effective and essentially designed for the LCT, so I'd try one before getting exotic.They are cheap enough to have several but also easy to move from turret to turret. I like having one dedicated to each powder I routinely use so I don't have to clean out a measure every time I change powder.
 
I’m not biased to any brand. If Lee gear will work well then I’ll go that route. Hence having a LCT.

Once I get my new bench setup I’d like to have each caliber setup and ready to go. I hate messing around trying to get the charge right. So any that drop consistently are preferred.

The price I’d the Auto disk is great if I’m not mistaken. The Drum is a bit more. If it’s wort( the extra money then I’d go that route. Likewise the Pro is even more expensive, but I’m not sure if it’s worth it. Again if it’s much more accurate, then it’d be worth it.

If someone has one that works better than the Lee ones that’s fine too. Again the question becomes is the added cost worth it.
 
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