W231/Lee autodisk

czhead · June 14, 2009, 05:04 PM

I am not getting good results with W231 and my Lee autodisk powder measure. For some reason I keep getting an occaisonal short throw and an occaisonal heavy throw. I have switched disks but still can't get reliable results each time. Are 231 and the autodisk non compatible or am I not seeing something else?

jaguarxk120 · June 14, 2009, 06:21 PM

Get a Redding Master powder measure, that should solve your problem.

RickV · June 14, 2009, 07:14 PM

I use a lot of W231 in my Lee Auto Disk Pro and it is always dead on. Try putting a dusting powdered graphite in the hopper and also some on the flat surface where the disk rides. The only powders I have trouble with are the "Stick" type powders the ball powders all meter well.

rantingredneck · June 14, 2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

I use a lot of W231 in my Lee Auto Disk Pro and it is always dead on

Me too. It's what I use for .45ACP and it throws very nice consistent charges.

RickV · June 14, 2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Me too. It's what I use for .45ACP and it throws very nice consistent charges.

I use it for 40SW and 45acp and was using it in 38/357 until I tried some Power Pistol in those. It meterers well also.

benzuncle · June 14, 2009, 08:20 PM

Different types of powders meter better than others with the Lee Disks. I use HP-38, which is the same as Win231. I also use the Pro Auto Disk Powder measure, not the auto disk setup. I've been loading 45acp and 380acp with it for 18 months with no problems. When I added the 357Sig round and Accurate Arms #9 powder, that changed. AA#9 is so fine that it leaks a wee bit with each throw. I will be using another powder charge for that particular powder, probably the RCBS Uniflow as it has a very good reputation. But for the HP-38 and the Pro Auto Disk setup, I'm sticking with that as it isn't broken.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · June 14, 2009, 09:30 PM

HP-38 in my auto disk is right on everytime. Meters very well. Make sure you teflon insert is not boogered up and is seating flush to the disk.

Seedtick · June 14, 2009, 11:34 PM

I use the micro adjustable charge bar and have no trouble with HP38. I'm sure glad I got the mic. adj. it works great for 9mm and 380 small charges.

ST

**Mike Irwin** · June 15, 2009, 12:39 AM

Absolutely no problems with 231 here in my Lee.

Pocketfisherman · June 15, 2009, 10:13 AM

I use 231 a lot, and have had no problems with the Autodisk. You might try making a baffle out of card stock. Fold it into an inverted V and put it in the powder hopper in the center.

Russ5924 · June 15, 2009, 11:09 AM

I have had no problems with W231 at all. Are you sure you are not having a problem with static electricity

I can't see how you get more powder the disk can only hold so much unless it is sticking from static electricity

What no. are you using on the disk for how much powder.

Seedtick · June 15, 2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Russ5924 static electricity

I do wipe out the hopper with a used dryer sheet before I put powder in it. I noticed the s.e. when I was putting the powder up when I was done loading and it seemed to help.

ST

czhead · June 15, 2009, 04:51 PM

and wouldn't you know it every one of them hit the same.

I used the number 30 on the auto disk and it hit 3.5 grains of w231 every time.

It is just like the pot of water that won't boil if you watch it and the noise the car makes until you get it in front of the mechanic.

Seedtick · June 15, 2009, 05:29 PM

Well, there ya go. Good news.

ST

Russ5924 · June 15, 2009, 06:20 PM

Someone else on here had the same complaint and after using it, it smoothed right out and was throwing the right amount of Grains

pit808 · June 16, 2009, 04:26 PM

I also use the micro bar and it is right on every time (HP38). The key to setting it up is to check/adjust the charge AFTER cycling the press as if you were loading rounds. I noticed cycling the turret press and the slight jarring of the press when taper crimping compacts the charge and causes it to throw heavy so adjust your weight IAW the post cycle charge weight.
hope this helps.

GP100man · June 17, 2009, 05:40 PM

cz
clean the tube the powder drops down , then take a litle bit of powdered graphite & put it on a fluffy patch & shake it until the hopper is black & rub it down the tube .
this`ll disipate static & "lube" everything up slick as u know what!!

ever wondered why most powders are gray?? YEP graphite.

save the patch till next time , use a little at first & wear throw away gloves.

hope this helps even if a little.

GP100man

CENTURION1945 · June 17, 2009, 06:41 PM

My machine is 12 years old, always reloading with W-231: 4,3 gr. out from the 0.43 cavity and 5,7 gr. out from the 0.57 cavity. No problem at all.

QBall45 · June 18, 2009, 10:46 AM

I think the answer of using a bit of graphite should fix things for ya. My auto disc has no trouble with 231 it had trouible when new with bullseye. I think the directions indicate to run a full hopper of powder through first. This helps with consistancy I guess.

aerod1 · June 18, 2009, 09:09 PM

I have no problems with 231 in my Lee Pro Auto Disk on my Lee Classic Cast Turret. I love the Pro Auto Disk system.

220combat · June 19, 2009, 04:30 AM

I also reload with the Lee auto disk, and have no problems with W231 powder. Meters perfectly everytime.

June 14, 2009, 05:04 PM	#1
czhead Member Join Date: February 12, 2002 Location: Plano, Tx Posts: 29	W231/Lee autodisk I am not getting good results with W231 and my Lee autodisk powder measure. For some reason I keep getting an occaisonal short throw and an occaisonal heavy throw. I have switched disks but still can't get reliable results each time. Are 231 and the autodisk non compatible or am I not seeing something else? Last edited by czhead; June 14, 2009 at 05:32 PM.

June 14, 2009, 09:30 PM	#7
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	HP-38 in my auto disk is right on everytime. Meters very well. Make sure you teflon insert is not boogered up and is seating flush to the disk. __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

June 15, 2009, 11:09 AM	#11
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	I have had no problems with W231 at all. Are you sure you are not having a problem with static electricity I can't see how you get more powder the disk can only hold so much unless it is sticking from static electricity What no. are you using on the disk for how much powder. __________________ Russ5924

June 15, 2009, 04:51 PM	#13
czhead Member Join Date: February 12, 2002 Location: Plano, Tx Posts: 29	Well, I just finished with 50 throws, and wouldn't you know it every one of them hit the same. I used the number 30 on the auto disk and it hit 3.5 grains of w231 every time. It is just like the pot of water that won't boil if you watch it and the noise the car makes until you get it in front of the mechanic.

June 15, 2009, 06:20 PM	#15
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	Someone else on here had the same complaint and after using it, it smoothed right out and was throwing the right amount of Grains __________________ Russ5924

June 14, 2009, 06:21 PM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	Get a Redding Master powder measure, that should solve your problem.

June 14, 2009, 07:14 PM	#3
RickV Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 172	I use a lot of W231 in my Lee Auto Disk Pro and it is always dead on. Try putting a dusting powdered graphite in the hopper and also some on the flat surface where the disk rides. The only powders I have trouble with are the "Stick" type powders the ball powders all meter well.

June 14, 2009, 08:20 PM	#6
benzuncle Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 357	Different types of powders meter better than others with the Lee Disks. I use HP-38, which is the same as Win231. I also use the Pro Auto Disk Powder measure, not the auto disk setup. I've been loading 45acp and 380acp with it for 18 months with no problems. When I added the 357Sig round and Accurate Arms #9 powder, that changed. AA#9 is so fine that it leaks a wee bit with each throw. I will be using another powder charge for that particular powder, probably the RCBS Uniflow as it has a very good reputation. But for the HP-38 and the Pro Auto Disk setup, I'm sticking with that as it isn't broken.

June 14, 2009, 11:34 PM	#8
Seedtick Member Join Date: June 11, 2009 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 45	I use the micro adjustable charge bar and have no trouble with HP38. I'm sure glad I got the mic. adj. it works great for 9mm and 380 small charges. ST

June 15, 2009, 12:39 AM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	Absolutely no problems with 231 here in my Lee. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

June 15, 2009, 10:13 AM	#10
Pocketfisherman Member Join Date: June 2, 2009 Location: Central TX Posts: 92	I use 231 a lot, and have had no problems with the Autodisk. You might try making a baffle out of card stock. Fold it into an inverted V and put it in the powder hopper in the center.

June 15, 2009, 05:29 PM	#14
Seedtick Member Join Date: June 11, 2009 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 45	Well, there ya go. Good news. ST

June 16, 2009, 04:26 PM	#16
pit808 Junior Member Join Date: May 4, 2009 Posts: 10	I also use the micro bar and it is right on every time (HP38). The key to setting it up is to check/adjust the charge AFTER cycling the press as if you were loading rounds. I noticed cycling the turret press and the slight jarring of the press when taper crimping compacts the charge and causes it to throw heavy so adjust your weight IAW the post cycle charge weight. hope this helps.

June 17, 2009, 05:40 PM	#17
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	auto disc cz clean the tube the powder drops down , then take a litle bit of powdered graphite & put it on a fluffy patch & shake it until the hopper is black & rub it down the tube . this`ll disipate static & "lube" everything up slick as u know what!! ever wondered why most powders are gray?? YEP graphite. save the patch till next time , use a little at first & wear throw away gloves. hope this helps even if a little. GP100man

June 17, 2009, 06:41 PM	#18
CENTURION1945 Junior Member Join Date: April 4, 2009 Location: Barranquilla, Colombia. Posts: 11	Lee pro 1000 My machine is 12 years old, always reloading with W-231: 4,3 gr. out from the 0.43 cavity and 5,7 gr. out from the 0.57 cavity. No problem at all.

June 18, 2009, 10:46 AM	#19
QBall45 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: South Central Minnesota Posts: 584	I think the answer of using a bit of graphite should fix things for ya. My auto disc has no trouble with 231 it had trouible when new with bullseye. I think the directions indicate to run a full hopper of powder through first. This helps with consistancy I guess.

June 18, 2009, 09:09 PM	#20
aerod1 Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2000 Location: Garland Texas U.S.A. Posts: 734	I have no problems with 231 in my Lee Pro Auto Disk on my Lee Classic Cast Turret. I love the Pro Auto Disk system. __________________ NRA Life Member, TSRA Life Member, C&R 03 FFL, Texas LTC Recreational Reloader U.S. Navy Veteran (USS Midway V-1 Division)

June 19, 2009, 04:30 AM	#21
220combat Junior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Posts: 12	I also reload with the Lee auto disk, and have no problems with W231 powder. Meters perfectly everytime.