Lee turret powder measure lesson to share - Page 2

Real Gun · June 11, 2015, 01:11 PM

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The only difference is the hopper. The mechanics (and the parts) below that are identical. I use the older style box hopper, which is now delivered clear instead of translucent red.

Nope. The old disc measure, the whole measure is turned/screwed into the top of the expander die. The pro measure, the threaded portion turns independently from the hopper. This allows the measure itself to stay stationary while screwing the bottom of the measure . Also the pro has a shut off in the base of the hopper to allow the changing of the discs WITHOUT having to tip the standard hopper over to empty it to allow the discs to be changed.

The swivel adapter can be purchased separately. All my powder measures have one.

There is an upgrade kit that allows converting standard auto disk measures to Pro features, but it really just replaces the hopper and includes the swivel adaptor that one may already have.

Real Gun · June 11, 2015, 01:13 PM

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An abbreviation is not an acronym.

Or do you call it your "pittux" ?!

I believe you have played the grammar nahtsie on this point before.

higgite · June 11, 2015, 01:26 PM

Heaven forbid you should get abbreviations and acronyms mixed up on a reloading forum. That could lead to a dangerously overpressured dangling participle!

Real Gun · June 11, 2015, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Have had no problems using the same case also with the Auto Disk powder measure.

Question? Are you using the 44 Mag die for your 44 Spl powder through die?
That's why I purchased a separate set of 38 Spl dies instead of using my 357 Mag set.

Good question. My die is stamped "Lee 44 SPL E3". I have another setup for jacketed bullets, and that die is stamped "Lee 44 SPL D4". Cursory measurements show no differences, E3 vs D4, but I will try the D4 to see if the results are any different.

Sevens · June 11, 2015, 01:34 PM

Maybe in the .327 Federal Club thread.

snuffy · June 11, 2015, 01:38 PM

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It finally occurred to me that I kept using the same case that had already been expanded. It wasn't causing enough resistance on the expander plug to fully activate the measure.

This is what is at issue here is that you think the measure is activated by drag or resistance of the expander plug pushing into the case. That is wrong! The powder disc/slide is fully activated by the case running into the belling portion of the expander plug whether you call it the PTX OR PTE.

It doesn't matter how long the PTE is, it's adjusted by moving the entire die up or down, watching the slide go all-the-way over the drop tube.

If not using a powder measure on the expander die, the aluminum cap is left on the die. Then the die is adjusted until the powder disc aligns with the drop tube AFTER or AT THE SAME TIME the desired belling is achieved. It has nothing to do with the friction of the expander plug on the inside of the case.

Real Gun · June 11, 2015, 01:47 PM

Thanks, Snuffy, but I know what I experienced and how I fixed the problem. I have repeatedly said that it seems to be working fine now, and that is as long as I resize the case mouth between test powder drops or pick a fresh case. During routine loading all is well.

I have the die set all the way down to the shell holder. There is j-u-s-t enough flare to nicely accept a bullet, no real bell at all. That's fine, because I have an expander die to get the precision I want in the next station. Probably don't really need it. I seem to have (5) expander plugs for 44 SPL in my inventory for some reason, and they all measure 1.092 in length.

BTW, my 44 Mag die, mounted on a separate turret with its own powder measure, is stamped "44 SPL C3".

June 11, 2015, 01:34 PM	#30
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Maybe in the .327 Federal Club thread. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

June 11, 2015, 01:26 PM	#28
higgite Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2010 Posts: 1,025	Heaven forbid you should get abbreviations and acronyms mixed up on a reloading forum. That could lead to a dangerously overpressured dangling participle!

June 11, 2015, 01:47 PM	#32
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	Thanks, Snuffy, but I know what I experienced and how I fixed the problem. I have repeatedly said that it seems to be working fine now, and that is as long as I resize the case mouth between test powder drops or pick a fresh case. During routine loading all is well. I have the die set all the way down to the shell holder. There is j-u-s-t enough flare to nicely accept a bullet, no real bell at all. That's fine, because I have an expander die to get the precision I want in the next station. Probably don't really need it. I seem to have (5) expander plugs for 44 SPL in my inventory for some reason, and they all measure 1.092 in length. BTW, my 44 Mag die, mounted on a separate turret with its own powder measure, is stamped "44 SPL C3".