Lee Perfect Powder Measure with Alliant Power Pistol Accuracy

chasep255 · April 12, 2011, 09:51 AM

I was trying to throw a load for 6.7gr of PP last night using my Lee Perfect Powder Measure. Only problem is that my loads varied from 6.4 to 6.9gr of powder. So I think that the combination of a low end powder measure along with a flake powder is a complete disaster. A 0.5gr variation is just unacceptable.

cracked butt · April 12, 2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

I was trying to throw a load for 6.7gr of PP last night using my Lee Perfect Powder Measure. Only problem is that my loads varied from 6.4 to 6.9gr of powder. So I think that the combination of a low end powder measure along with a flake powder is a complete disaster. A 0.5gr variation is just unacceptable.

Use the LPPM for extruded/stick powders and the Lee Auto Disk for flake/ball powders.

overkill0084 · April 12, 2011, 10:28 AM

I haven't tried Power Pistol. But if it's anything like Unique, the Lee perfect won't like it much. My Lee Perfect does really well with Bullseye and 2400. With AA#5 it bound up if the tension screw wasn't adjusted perfect. It leaks with pretty much everything unless you tighten to the point that it's a pain to rotate. I tried to lube it with graphite, it helped for about 15 minutes. I ended up replacing it with a Redding 3BR. Life is too short to fight with your powder measure.

chasep255 · April 12, 2011, 10:39 AM

I was thinking maybe if I painted it with self lubricating duracoat it might help.

scsov509 · April 12, 2011, 01:20 PM

That's weird, I throw Power Pistol through my PPM all the time and it measures exceptionally well. It's a small flake, so you really shouldn't be having problems. Is it a new PPM? If so, you might try running whole pound of powder or some powdered graphite through it to get the moving parts all lubricated well. Another common issue on a new PPM is static, which can be resolved by washing it well with a mild soap and water solution or a dryer sheet rub down.

If it's not a new PPM then I don't know what to tell you. Make sure everything is adjusted right I guess, but my experience with that combination has been great.

Don P · April 12, 2011, 03:08 PM

Lee's powder measure does not do well with flake powder. This is from Lee's web site,
Perfect Powder Measure Consistency

Bumping against the stops when dumping and filling the metering chamber usually causes inconsistent loads with the Perfect Powder Measure. Be gentle at both ends of the stop when charging powder.

Also failure to condition the measure by running a pound of powder through the unit will cause inconsistent charges. You can speed the conditioning by dusting the metering surfaces with powdered graphite.

Lastly some powders do not meter well, Unique powder is one example that meters with "casual uniformity".

cracked butt · April 12, 2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Bumping against the stops when dumping and filling the metering chamber usually causes inconsistent loads with the Perfect Powder Measure. Be gentle at both ends of the stop when charging powder.

I don't think the measure would hold up well bu repeated bumping at the stops. I do however lightly tap my finger on the center of the measuring drum at the top and bottom of the stroke- just have to do everything consistantly every time, no matter what measure you use

**Unclenick** · April 12, 2011, 05:14 PM

After it's broken in and lubed and tensioned, adding a baffle to the hopper can help the Perfect. Also, keep in mind that it's plastic. When you tap it you pack the powder more densely and that can be hard on the polymer wiper. Just keep the hopper full and let gravity do the work in that measure.

chasep255 · April 12, 2011, 06:49 PM

Well I was looking for an excuse anyway to get a nicer powder measure so I went out today and bought an RCBS one. It too is inconsistent with the PP. Maybe I should change powder.

overkill0084 · April 12, 2011, 08:39 PM

Sounds just like what I did.

**Unclenick** · April 13, 2011, 06:29 PM

ChasePP,

Did you run graphite through or wipe the inside with a clothes dryer sheet to kill static? Did you use the pistol drum with it's narrower chamber and not the rifle drum?

**Shane Tuttle** · April 13, 2011, 08:07 PM

After a few thousand reloaded rounds, my powder measure just couldn't meter well with AA#2, #5, or #9. I haven't had much luck with any flake powder, either. I gave up the ghost with it regarding pistol powders. It worked well with extruded rifle powder. However, soon after I bought Midway's measure and others since then, making Lee's obsolete...

It was a hard working, inexpensive measure and served me well for what it was.

YARDDOG(1) · April 13, 2011, 08:32 PM

Mine works great with Unique

Yes Unique, A double tap at top & bottom dose wonders ; )
Y/D

res45 · April 13, 2011, 10:40 PM

I loaded about 300 rds. of 9mm this week using Power Pistol using my old RCBS DUO Measure,it has the built in baffle,about every 25th charge I would throw in the beam scale pan then double checked it on the digital. It never varied by more than two tenths of a grain on the extreme side most time it was only one tenth or non at all.

My Lil Dandy throws it just as consistent,a half grain spread seems odd as it has metered very well for me.

April 12, 2011, 09:51 AM	#1
chasep255 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 727	Lee Perfect Powder Measure with Alliant Power Pistol Accuracy I was trying to throw a load for 6.7gr of PP last night using my Lee Perfect Powder Measure. Only problem is that my loads varied from 6.4 to 6.9gr of powder. So I think that the combination of a low end powder measure along with a flake powder is a complete disaster. A 0.5gr variation is just unacceptable.

April 12, 2011, 03:08 PM	#6
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,213	Lee's powder measure does not do well with flake powder. This is from Lee's web site, Perfect Powder Measure Consistency Bumping against the stops when dumping and filling the metering chamber usually causes inconsistent loads with the Perfect Powder Measure. Be gentle at both ends of the stop when charging powder. Also failure to condition the measure by running a pound of powder through the unit will cause inconsistent charges. You can speed the conditioning by dusting the metering surfaces with powdered graphite. Lastly some powders do not meter well, Unique powder is one example that meters with "casual uniformity". __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

April 12, 2011, 05:14 PM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,743	After it's broken in and lubed and tensioned, adding a baffle to the hopper can help the Perfect. Also, keep in mind that it's plastic. When you tap it you pack the powder more densely and that can be hard on the polymer wiper. Just keep the hopper full and let gravity do the work in that measure. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 13, 2011, 06:29 PM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,743	ChasePP, Did you run graphite through or wipe the inside with a clothes dryer sheet to kill static? Did you use the pistol drum with it's narrower chamber and not the rifle drum? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 13, 2011, 08:07 PM	#12
Shane Tuttle Staff Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 9,455	After a few thousand reloaded rounds, my powder measure just couldn't meter well with AA#2, #5, or #9. I haven't had much luck with any flake powder, either. I gave up the ghost with it regarding pistol powders. It worked well with extruded rifle powder. However, soon after I bought Midway's measure and others since then, making Lee's obsolete... It was a hard working, inexpensive measure and served me well for what it was. __________________ If it were up to me, the word "got" would be deleted from the English language. Posting and YOU: http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

April 12, 2011, 10:28 AM	#3
overkill0084 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Northern, UT Posts: 1,162	I haven't tried Power Pistol. But if it's anything like Unique, the Lee perfect won't like it much. My Lee Perfect does really well with Bullseye and 2400. With AA#5 it bound up if the tension screw wasn't adjusted perfect. It leaks with pretty much everything unless you tighten to the point that it's a pain to rotate. I tried to lube it with graphite, it helped for about 15 minutes. I ended up replacing it with a Redding 3BR. Life is too short to fight with your powder measure.

April 12, 2011, 10:39 AM	#4
chasep255 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 727	I was thinking maybe if I painted it with self lubricating duracoat it might help.

April 12, 2011, 01:20 PM	#5
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	That's weird, I throw Power Pistol through my PPM all the time and it measures exceptionally well. It's a small flake, so you really shouldn't be having problems. Is it a new PPM? If so, you might try running whole pound of powder or some powdered graphite through it to get the moving parts all lubricated well. Another common issue on a new PPM is static, which can be resolved by washing it well with a mild soap and water solution or a dryer sheet rub down. If it's not a new PPM then I don't know what to tell you. Make sure everything is adjusted right I guess, but my experience with that combination has been great.

April 12, 2011, 06:49 PM	#9
chasep255 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 727	Well I was looking for an excuse anyway to get a nicer powder measure so I went out today and bought an RCBS one. It too is inconsistent with the PP. Maybe I should change powder.

April 12, 2011, 08:39 PM	#10
overkill0084 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Northern, UT Posts: 1,162	Sounds just like what I did.

April 13, 2011, 08:32 PM	#13
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 721	Mine works great with Unique Yes Unique, A double tap at top & bottom dose wonders ; ) Y/D __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

April 13, 2011, 10:40 PM	#14
res45 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 753	I loaded about 300 rds. of 9mm this week using Power Pistol using my old RCBS DUO Measure,it has the built in baffle,about every 25th charge I would throw in the beam scale pan then double checked it on the digital. It never varied by more than two tenths of a grain on the extreme side most time it was only one tenth or non at all. My Lil Dandy throws it just as consistent,a half grain spread seems odd as it has metered very well for me. __________________ The Reloaders Network discord Channel https://discord.gg/Nafuzht Last edited by res45; April 13, 2011 at 10:47 PM.