I called kempf gun shop today to ask them with the lee classic press kit he offers and upgraded to the pro autodisk powder Measure he said you don't need a scale I called because it says comes with everything needed he said people don't use a scale with the pro auto disk. What are you'r thoughts on just plinking.
PRO AutoDisk Powder still need scale or not
- Thread starter badbowtie
- Start date
- Status
Exposure
Member
I have the Pro Auto Disk and I very strongly advise you to get a scale. It comes with a chart giving a reference for what hole size to use for what charge but I have found I sometimes need to go two holes one direction or the other to get the correct charge. Not to mention that the chart doesn't cover every single powder out there. So without a scale you would have a major problem if you had an unlisted powder.
Plus a scale is nice for peace of mind. Even when I am rocking and rolling with my press I still stop about every twenty five rounds and cycle the powder measure 2 to 3 charges just to make sure I am still okay.
A good beam scale can be had for relatively little money. Don't risk your safety by not getting a scale. It is THE most important element in any reloading setup!
Guess work and reloading don't go together.
Plus a scale is nice for peace of mind. Even when I am rocking and rolling with my press I still stop about every twenty five rounds and cycle the powder measure 2 to 3 charges just to make sure I am still okay.
A good beam scale can be had for relatively little money. Don't risk your safety by not getting a scale. It is THE most important element in any reloading setup!
Guess work and reloading don't go together.
That advice will get you hurt and/or damage your guns. GET A SCALE. Even the Lee instructions say that the Auto Disk is not perfect. I use the Pro Auto Disk and measure every tenth charge. I have used three different containers of powder so far and none of them match the indicated weights included with the Pro Auto Disk. They're close, but serve only as a starting point.
Get a scale and measure your charges. $50 for a scale and 1 minute of your time sure beats destroying a $1,000 gun, losing some fingers or an eye, or spending a night in the hospital.
I'll say it again just in case I'm not clear: Get a scale and measure your charges.
Get a scale and measure your charges. $50 for a scale and 1 minute of your time sure beats destroying a $1,000 gun, losing some fingers or an eye, or spending a night in the hospital.
I'll say it again just in case I'm not clear: Get a scale and measure your charges.
That is what I kind of figured I think I am going to buy a lee safety powder scale or this one what you guys think http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=62726&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
Member
badbowtie,
The questions you're asking indicate to me you haven't done your basic reading before making any purchase decisions. There is a sticky at the top of the page for new reloaders. In it, there's a list of books and a good description of various types of equipment and things you might need.
BEFORE you buy any equipment or make any reloading decisions, I strongly advise you to either buy or check out of your local library one of the books about reloading listed in that sticky.
You'll be able to make a much more informed decision about equipment purchases once you have read a couple of those basic books and will have a much better understanding of how to use the equipment once you purchase it. In the meantime, be a bit more patient and hold off buying until you're better informed.
I'd like to have you join the ranks of reloaders, but don't want to see you get hurt and reloading is a place you can get hurt pretty badly or ruin an expensive firearm if you don't know what you're doing or if you haven't done your homework.
Regards,
Dave
The questions you're asking indicate to me you haven't done your basic reading before making any purchase decisions. There is a sticky at the top of the page for new reloaders. In it, there's a list of books and a good description of various types of equipment and things you might need.
BEFORE you buy any equipment or make any reloading decisions, I strongly advise you to either buy or check out of your local library one of the books about reloading listed in that sticky.
You'll be able to make a much more informed decision about equipment purchases once you have read a couple of those basic books and will have a much better understanding of how to use the equipment once you purchase it. In the meantime, be a bit more patient and hold off buying until you're better informed.
I'd like to have you join the ranks of reloaders, but don't want to see you get hurt and reloading is a place you can get hurt pretty badly or ruin an expensive firearm if you don't know what you're doing or if you haven't done your homework.
Regards,
Dave
I agree with the above posters. You are playing a dangerous game with a potentially explosive situation without a scale. The Lee measure is good, but rarely (if ever) dead on with the projected charges, IME. Most of the time you will be under, sometimes a lot. I doubt you would ever be over, but it is too dangerous to know.
I made my own chart on what each disk throws. I still get out the scale EVERY time that I load. Cheap insurance, if you ask me.
I made my own chart on what each disk throws. I still get out the scale EVERY time that I load. Cheap insurance, if you ask me.
tasco 74
Member
yep .. they're right on ...get a scale and use it EVERY TIME you reload ..........
G_W
Member
You will want a scale that has both the resolution and accuracy to read/measure to 1/10 of a grain. Lack of specs on the basspro scale makes me think it does neither.
The Lee scale will do the job. I almost bought one. Happy I got a RCBS 5-0-5 instead.
Last edited:
YES!!!!!
Lee has a good scale. Used it for 20 yrs. Recently bought this.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpa...3372&utm_source=713372&utm_medium=homepage319
It's real nice. Even has a tare button.
Lee has a good scale. Used it for 20 yrs. Recently bought this.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpa...3372&utm_source=713372&utm_medium=homepage319
It's real nice. Even has a tare button.
Sam Adams
Member
I'll jump on the bandwagon and say that you MUST have a scale, and you MUST use it.
I've been reloading for about 15 years. I have NEVER had a reloaded round misfire, I've never double charged or non-charged a case - because I'm very careful. I don't want to spend the rest of my life kicking myself in the rear because I didn't do what I should have, and lost an eye or the use of a hand as a result.
Until a few weeks ago, I used a single-stage press, but now I have the Lee Classic Turret with the Pro Auto Disk. I like the turret a LOT, as it is far faster. The Lee disks are, in my experience, off by one or 2 holes. This is on purpose - Lee would rather you have an undercharge than risk having too much pressure due to an overcharge. Keep in mind that the same type of powder can have different characteristics between batches, despite rigorous quality control. When switching to a new powder (or a new weight of the same powder), I will weigh at least the first 5 charges (dumping the powder back in the measure, of course) to see that I not only get the weight I want, but that the weight is consistent. If I have to go to 10 charges this way, I do it. With the Auto Disk, once I've established that it is doing what I want, I STILL check the weight of the powder every 10-20 rounds. Note: I also check OAL of the loaded rounds - at least every 5 rounds, sometimes more often...as I'm sure you're aware, a round that is too short will have increased pressure, sometimes dangerously so.
Take a bit of extra time and do it the right way. You only have 2 eyes, 10 fingers, etc. - and your fun hobby shouldn't maim you for life. So you'll load a few less rounds per hour (though still a LOT with the turret press) - aren't you worth it?
I've been reloading for about 15 years. I have NEVER had a reloaded round misfire, I've never double charged or non-charged a case - because I'm very careful. I don't want to spend the rest of my life kicking myself in the rear because I didn't do what I should have, and lost an eye or the use of a hand as a result.
Until a few weeks ago, I used a single-stage press, but now I have the Lee Classic Turret with the Pro Auto Disk. I like the turret a LOT, as it is far faster. The Lee disks are, in my experience, off by one or 2 holes. This is on purpose - Lee would rather you have an undercharge than risk having too much pressure due to an overcharge. Keep in mind that the same type of powder can have different characteristics between batches, despite rigorous quality control. When switching to a new powder (or a new weight of the same powder), I will weigh at least the first 5 charges (dumping the powder back in the measure, of course) to see that I not only get the weight I want, but that the weight is consistent. If I have to go to 10 charges this way, I do it. With the Auto Disk, once I've established that it is doing what I want, I STILL check the weight of the powder every 10-20 rounds. Note: I also check OAL of the loaded rounds - at least every 5 rounds, sometimes more often...as I'm sure you're aware, a round that is too short will have increased pressure, sometimes dangerously so.
Take a bit of extra time and do it the right way. You only have 2 eyes, 10 fingers, etc. - and your fun hobby shouldn't maim you for life. So you'll load a few less rounds per hour (though still a LOT with the turret press) - aren't you worth it?
I understand the reading and have watched people load ammo many times and have read the hornady 7th addion reloading book and almost done reading the lee reloading book. I was real just making a point that the guy at kemp gun shop says you don't need a scale when you use the pro disk.
I don't know why Kempf's gun shop is giving you this information. You need a scale if you don't have one.
I called Kempf's gun shop once interested in the Lee Classic Turrent kit and asked why the kit does not come with a scale. The woman there told me that they don't include it becuse most people are bying the kit to upgrade from single stage and have there own scales.
Don't know they would be giving you this information.
I called Kempf's gun shop once interested in the Lee Classic Turrent kit and asked why the kit does not come with a scale. The woman there told me that they don't include it becuse most people are bying the kit to upgrade from single stage and have there own scales.
Don't know they would be giving you this information.
I understand what your saying. Theoretically you don't need a scale with the lee auto pro measure because it has numbered powder holes and chart for load weights, but every reloader worth his or her salt is going to go on the side of safety and check those loads with an accurate scale.
You’re doing the right thing by getting the scale. I was just a bit concerned because I want to buy the same kit and a lot of other reloading supplies from them.
I don't have any complaints about them the only thing that I feel is when I ordered the kit from him I wish on line it said out of stock or maybe send me a email or even call me letting me no. They are supposed to have some come in next week and just have to wait to see how many come in compared to were I am on the list of getting mine. I have had mine orderd for a week.
That makes sense. I got my turret kit from them and didn't need to waste money on another scale like with the Cabelas kit.
Since the Lee charts for the auto disc is conservative you could probably get by safely by using their charts and not weighing charges, like using powder dippers, but you'll never get close to the full potential of your cartridges.
- Status