Single stage Powder measure mod.

Lead Express · July 5, 2012, 02:54 PM

Hello again!

I have been reloading a lot more on a single stage press than my progressive recently. My single most time consuming process now has been charging cases with powder, and wanted to speed that up a little. The Lee powder measure is accurate with a few taps each charge, but I have this auto-disk powder measure with a charge bar that is dead on. After looking around at the hardware store, I found a .$99 spring that would allow me to use the LM powder measure on the single stage (it charges as the case neck is flared, and resets when the ram is lowered) and it charges cases fast and efficiently.

I wanted to share this if anyone has wondered or has done this before.

The spring hooks onto the hole where the chain would go on the powder return, and the other end of the spring goes through a little eye hook I screwed into my bench. The measure is also backwards on my press, as it keeps everything out of my left hand side.

mikld · July 5, 2012, 03:43 PM

Good idea. One thought though. Why not make a stand and mount the powder measure on a piece of wood large enough to make a stable stand? Or is it easier to mount the powder-through/flaring die and power measure in your press? I made a small "table" (12"x18" heavy particle board top mounted on 2x4 legs) and mounted my Lee PPM to that. It's about 6" high and the measure is mounted to one side and plenty of room for my scale. Brings measure and scale closer to eye level...

Lead Express · July 5, 2012, 04:03 PM

I do have a Lee PPM as well, but it's not as accurate as I want without "tapping" all of the powder out of it during each charge. The PM on the single stage is the Lee Pro-Auto disk measure that comes with the Lee Loadmaster, and is consistently accurate to +/-.01 grain. After expanding the case mouth and inspecting the powder level, I place a bullet in the case before putting it on my reloading block. It's a pretty seamless method, and I can crank (obviously while not rushing) out about 100 rounds in less than 30 minutes now.

dickttx · July 5, 2012, 07:24 PM

You should be able to use the PAD with the powder drop/flaring bushing in place, and there should have been a return spring with your PAD. That is what I use on my Lee Classic Turret.

July 5, 2012, 03:43 PM	#2
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Good idea. One thought though. Why not make a stand and mount the powder measure on a piece of wood large enough to make a stable stand? Or is it easier to mount the powder-through/flaring die and power measure in your press? I made a small "table" (12"x18" heavy particle board top mounted on 2x4 legs) and mounted my Lee PPM to that. It's about 6" high and the measure is mounted to one side and plenty of room for my scale. Brings measure and scale closer to eye level... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

July 5, 2012, 04:03 PM	#3
Lead Express Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2012 Location: Sacramento Posts: 125	I do have a Lee PPM as well, but it's not as accurate as I want without "tapping" all of the powder out of it during each charge. The PM on the single stage is the Lee Pro-Auto disk measure that comes with the Lee Loadmaster, and is consistently accurate to +/-.01 grain. After expanding the case mouth and inspecting the powder level, I place a bullet in the case before putting it on my reloading block. It's a pretty seamless method, and I can crank (obviously while not rushing) out about 100 rounds in less than 30 minutes now. __________________ ”An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it.” ~Col. Jeff Cooper Last edited by Lead Express; July 5, 2012 at 04:36 PM.

July 5, 2012, 07:24 PM	#4
dickttx Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2011 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 500	You should be able to use the PAD with the powder drop/flaring bushing in place, and there should have been a return spring with your PAD. That is what I use on my Lee Classic Turret. __________________ Education teaches you the rules, experience teaches you the exceptions (Plagiarized from Claude Clay)