Lee Disk powder measure question

iblong · September 2, 2009, 01:38 PM

A friend of mine just bought a Lee 4 hole classic press w/outo indexing and the powder disc system.He asked if I would set it up for him and show him how to use it.Mines an old 3 hole classic with manual indexing.Any way I was trying to set it up for him for 45 auto and used the disk recomended for unique and it was way light,I had to jump 2 disc sizes to get to the charge I was looking for.It also was failly incosistant on the weight.Is this because the bulkiness of unique powder? or is this typical of this charge system.
Bob.

snuffy · September 2, 2009, 01:54 PM

Yes, very typical on both questions. The disc's are normally light, that's in case some new loaders don't have a scale, they'll be safe with a lighter load.

Also Unique is terrible to run through most measures. It's bulky and large grained, so it doesn't flow very well.

cerberus65 · September 2, 2009, 02:00 PM

I started out with the Auto-Disk Powder Measure and found it to meter a bit light too. My solution was to get the Pro Auto-Disk Update Kit which includes the Adjustable Charge Bar. I have been much happier since I made that ~$20 upgrade.

The other "upgrade" you may end up wanting to make is removing the auto-indexing feature. I batch load and really didn't need it auto-indexing on me. If your friend is going to batch load it's a single screw to remove.

snuffy · September 2, 2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

The other "upgrade" you may end up wanting to make is removing the auto-indexing feature. I batch load and really didn't need it auto-indexing on me. If your friend is going to batch load it's a single screw to remove.

To disable the auto index, you simply remove the drive shaft. Then there's no screw to loose if you want to auto index in the future.

GP100man · September 2, 2009, 03:11 PM

i treat my powder tools with powdered graphite ,it saves me alot of greif!!

iblong · September 2, 2009, 03:14 PM

Thanks guys,As a temporary solution untill I made sure it wasnt defective I just put my uniflow on it,personally I like it better that way,its a lot easier to change the charge.
Bob.

Jim243 · September 3, 2009, 06:14 PM

The disks on the autodisk will throw 0.1 to 0.2 light, I use the Micro Disk that came with the upgrade kit. Works well. An old trick is to put 2 or 3 stainless steel washers on top of the powder and it will keep the throws consistant even as the powder goes down.

Jim

shepherddogs · September 4, 2009, 08:37 PM

I think Lee intentionally overstates the charge thrown by their measures. They probably figure some people would not bother to use scales so they give data that will cause light charges. Probably their lawyers idea. As far as consistency, I have had very good results with the auto disk measures. Just make sure the cavity cycles completely over the drop hole.

GP100man · September 4, 2009, 09:19 PM

i just unhook the spring lift the body of da measure up & change the disc.

i`ve never taken the screws out of the hopper on mine.

Tex S · September 4, 2009, 09:33 PM

Its funny that some of you have had issues with the disks throwing light. I seem to have the opposite problem. Let me explain...

Say we are working with W231. The .49 disk is supposed to throw 5.3gr. It always does if I am working the measure only, but as soon as I run a round through the complete cycle it begins throwing about .2gr heavy. I think this is because the motion of the press compacts the powder in the disk making for a heavier charge.

Just my experience.

For the record, last night I tried out the adjustable charge bar for the first time. I was surprised at how accurate the graduations on the thumb screw are. It worked perfect!!! Not too shabby for a cheap piece of plastic.

snuffy · September 4, 2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Yes, very typical on both questions. The disc's are normally light, that's in case some new loaders don't have a scale, they'll be safe with a lighter load.post #2.

Quote:

I think Lee intentionally overstates the charge thrown by their measures. They probably figure some people would not bother to use scales so they give data that will cause light charges. Probably their lawyers idea.

Thanks for the big 10-4! Or was it you didn't read the whole thread?

Jim243 · September 4, 2009, 10:17 PM

Tex It is and I have stopped using the disks unless throwing a charge for rifle.

shepherddogs · September 4, 2009, 11:13 PM

You caught me Snuffy. I'll pay more attention to your posts in the future. I hope you don't mind me having the same opinion as you.

shepherddogs · September 4, 2009, 11:14 PM

You caught me Snuffy. I'll pay more attention to your posts in the future. I hope you don't mind me having the same opinion as you.

snuffy · September 4, 2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

You caught me Snuffy. I'll pay more attention to your posts in the future. I hope you don't mind me having the same opinion as you.

Naw, I was just poking a little fun at ya! Great minds think alike!

September 2, 2009, 01:38 PM	#1
iblong Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2008 Location: MN Posts: 559	Lee Disk powder measure question A friend of mine just bought a Lee 4 hole classic press w/outo indexing and the powder disc system.He asked if I would set it up for him and show him how to use it.Mines an old 3 hole classic with manual indexing.Any way I was trying to set it up for him for 45 auto and used the disk recomended for unique and it was way light,I had to jump 2 disc sizes to get to the charge I was looking for.It also was failly incosistant on the weight.Is this because the bulkiness of unique powder? or is this typical of this charge system. Bob.

September 2, 2009, 03:11 PM	#5
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	Lee ad i treat my powder tools with powdered graphite ,it saves me alot of greif!! __________________ GP100man Last edited by GP100man; September 2, 2009 at 03:12 PM. Reason: spelun

September 4, 2009, 09:19 PM	#9
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	changing discs i just unhook the spring lift the body of da measure up & change the disc. i`ve never taken the screws out of the hopper on mine. __________________ GP100man

September 2, 2009, 01:54 PM	#2
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	Yes, very typical on both questions. The disc's are normally light, that's in case some new loaders don't have a scale, they'll be safe with a lighter load. Also Unique is terrible to run through most measures. It's bulky and large grained, so it doesn't flow very well. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

September 2, 2009, 02:00 PM	#3
cerberus65 Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2008 Posts: 384	I started out with the Auto-Disk Powder Measure and found it to meter a bit light too. My solution was to get the Pro Auto-Disk Update Kit which includes the Adjustable Charge Bar. I have been much happier since I made that ~$20 upgrade. The other "upgrade" you may end up wanting to make is removing the auto-indexing feature. I batch load and really didn't need it auto-indexing on me. If your friend is going to batch load it's a single screw to remove.

September 2, 2009, 03:14 PM	#6
iblong Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2008 Location: MN Posts: 559	Thanks guys,As a temporary solution untill I made sure it wasnt defective I just put my uniflow on it,personally I like it better that way,its a lot easier to change the charge. Bob.

September 3, 2009, 06:14 PM	#7
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	The disks on the autodisk will throw 0.1 to 0.2 light, I use the Micro Disk that came with the upgrade kit. Works well. An old trick is to put 2 or 3 stainless steel washers on top of the powder and it will keep the throws consistant even as the powder goes down. Jim

September 4, 2009, 08:37 PM	#8
shepherddogs Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 1,007	I think Lee intentionally overstates the charge thrown by their measures. They probably figure some people would not bother to use scales so they give data that will cause light charges. Probably their lawyers idea. As far as consistency, I have had very good results with the auto disk measures. Just make sure the cavity cycles completely over the drop hole.

September 4, 2009, 09:33 PM	#10
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Its funny that some of you have had issues with the disks throwing light. I seem to have the opposite problem. Let me explain... Say we are working with W231. The .49 disk is supposed to throw 5.3gr. It always does if I am working the measure only, but as soon as I run a round through the complete cycle it begins throwing about .2gr heavy. I think this is because the motion of the press compacts the powder in the disk making for a heavier charge. Just my experience. For the record, last night I tried out the adjustable charge bar for the first time. I was surprised at how accurate the graduations on the thumb screw are. It worked perfect!!! Not too shabby for a cheap piece of plastic.

September 4, 2009, 10:17 PM	#12
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Tex It is and I have stopped using the disks unless throwing a charge for rifle.

September 4, 2009, 11:13 PM	#13
shepherddogs Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 1,007	You caught me Snuffy. I'll pay more attention to your posts in the future. I hope you don't mind me having the same opinion as you.

September 4, 2009, 11:14 PM	#14
shepherddogs Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 1,007	You caught me Snuffy. I'll pay more attention to your posts in the future. I hope you don't mind me having the same opinion as you.