Lee Perfect Powder Measure

Prof Young · June 22, 2012, 10:24 AM

Loaders:

So, I'm learning to use my Lee Prefect Powder measure and pretty much like it a lot. I did the "break in" thing according to the instructions where you run a powder through it to get it "lubricated." Now it seems like the first five or so loads get progressively lighter. I'll start at 7.4 grains and five loads later it is down to 7.1. So I re adjust and it stays pretty consistent for the remainder. I'm checking the weight every five or ten loads. Anybody else run into this?

Live well, be safe
Prof Young

a7mmnut · June 22, 2012, 10:31 AM

Powder contains graphite. You can buy raw graphite at your local hardware store. It's great to lube anything that needs to absolutely stay dry--especially your cases.

-7-

jcwit · June 22, 2012, 11:07 AM

No! Mine measures consistant, how full are you filling the hopper, I never let mine get below approx 1/2 full. Not sure but this may have something to do with this.

Striker1 · June 22, 2012, 11:45 AM

Lots of guys recommend tapping the handle at the end of the up or down stroke to keep the powder settled. The key is to be consistent in your stroke.

Works for me

dacaur · June 22, 2012, 02:20 PM

Right tapping is the key. Start with the handle in the UP position. Bring the handle down and give two firm taps at the base of the handle, get the case under the spout and bring the handle up, then before removing the case give two more firm taps.... Also do keep the hopper at least 2/3 full at all times....

Prof Young · June 22, 2012, 05:14 PM

Loaders:

Thanks. I am starting to think that it is my scale that is at fault. I'm using an electronic Hornady scale. I suspect it it too susceptible to conditions. Thinking maybe I need to look into getting a balance type scale.

Live Well, be safe
Prof Young

dacaur · June 22, 2012, 09:16 PM

Ah.... That could be a problem. where are you loading? climate controlled or a garage/shed? Big temp changes will mess with a scale, like turning on a heater or AC when you go in to reload, or bringing the scale from inside to a garage/shed with a big temp difference... You want to let it acclimate to a stable temp for 30 min if thats the case. You also want to make sure no fans or hvac is blowing on it, that would mess with a beam scale too....

Lees beam scale can be difficult to use, but once you get it down, its very accurate and at a reasonable price. I trust my lee beam scale over my electronic any day. If they ever do not agree, I calibrate my electric, and just like that, they agree...

When working up loads, the electric is easier to use, but when working with a known weight once the load workup is done, I always use the beam scale.

mohr308 · June 24, 2012, 10:52 AM

at the top and bottom of each pull I give mine a double tap on the front of the drum. Also when Im first dialing in a specific measure, I always run 3-4 throws first then take the next one and check my weight then re-adjust if needed. mine has been very consistent. oh yeah, my first rookie mistake was not having the hopper lined up correctly and on the upstroke the lever was hitting the side of the hopper

Mike-Mat · June 25, 2012, 07:25 PM

I turn off all the fans and close the door before taking any powder measurements on the scale. My Lee Powder measure is usually +/- .1 gr.

Mike

nikdfish · June 25, 2012, 09:50 PM

Consistency is crucial to using the PPM. With or without the tapping, each load thrown should involve the same pattern & timing. I sometimes find myself literally counting out a rhythm to the sequence. It also helps to add a baffle at the bottom of the hopper to keep the powder weight pressing into the discharge area more consistent. Aluminum from a soda can works fine & can be cut to shape with scissors then bent to fit.

With fine powder, like H110, I frequently see consistent drops that look to be within 0.02 grains of the target amount when not dead on. After getting the drop dialed in, I'll check every tenth round or so to double check that things are staying on target.

I find larger extruded powder, like IMR 4895, more problematic, with variations between throws sometimes a tenth of a grain or more, probably due to variability in the density of a given drop. I generally end up throwing a somewhat lighter amount than desired & trickle to the full amount.

I use a lee safety scale for weight checking, using the poise lock for the target amount. I added plus/minus 0.1 and 0.2 grain reference marks above/below the balance point mark & it is pretty easy to interpolate to roughly 0.01 grain variations when checking throws.

Some less expensive electronic scales cannot hit all the 0.1 grain measures & will "skip" some 0.1 levels (i.e. jump from 0.2 to 0.4 for example). They are typically accurate to 0.01 gram & convert that to get grains. Rounding error results in the skipped 0.1 grain values.

Nick

June 22, 2012, 10:24 AM	#1
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Lee Perfect Powder Measure Loaders: So, I'm learning to use my Lee Prefect Powder measure and pretty much like it a lot. I did the "break in" thing according to the instructions where you run a powder through it to get it "lubricated." Now it seems like the first five or so loads get progressively lighter. I'll start at 7.4 grains and five loads later it is down to 7.1. So I re adjust and it stays pretty consistent for the remainder. I'm checking the weight every five or ten loads. Anybody else run into this? Live well, be safe Prof Young

June 22, 2012, 05:14 PM	#6
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	May not be the measure that's at fault. Loaders: Thanks. I am starting to think that it is my scale that is at fault. I'm using an electronic Hornady scale. I suspect it it too susceptible to conditions. Thinking maybe I need to look into getting a balance type scale. Live Well, be safe Prof Young

June 25, 2012, 07:25 PM	#9
Mike-Mat Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2010 Location: Phoenix area Posts: 361	I turn off all the fans and close the door before taking any powder measurements on the scale. My Lee Powder measure is usually +/- .1 gr. Mike __________________ Mike Mattera - Tips For Mfg Video Training For CadCam Systems http://www.tipsforcadcam.com

June 22, 2012, 10:31 AM	#2
a7mmnut Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: NC Foothills Posts: 1,150	Powder contains graphite. You can buy raw graphite at your local hardware store. It's great to lube anything that needs to absolutely stay dry--especially your cases. -7-

June 22, 2012, 11:07 AM	#3
jcwit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2007 Location: Upper Indiana Posts: 609	No! Mine measures consistant, how full are you filling the hopper, I never let mine get below approx 1/2 full. Not sure but this may have something to do with this.

June 22, 2012, 11:45 AM	#4
Striker1 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: TX Posts: 710	Lots of guys recommend tapping the handle at the end of the up or down stroke to keep the powder settled. The key is to be consistent in your stroke. Works for me

June 22, 2012, 02:20 PM	#5
dacaur Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 733	Right tapping is the key. Start with the handle in the UP position. Bring the handle down and give two firm taps at the base of the handle, get the case under the spout and bring the handle up, then before removing the case give two more firm taps.... Also do keep the hopper at least 2/3 full at all times....

June 22, 2012, 09:16 PM	#7
dacaur Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2010 Posts: 733	Ah.... That could be a problem. where are you loading? climate controlled or a garage/shed? Big temp changes will mess with a scale, like turning on a heater or AC when you go in to reload, or bringing the scale from inside to a garage/shed with a big temp difference... You want to let it acclimate to a stable temp for 30 min if thats the case. You also want to make sure no fans or hvac is blowing on it, that would mess with a beam scale too.... Lees beam scale can be difficult to use, but once you get it down, its very accurate and at a reasonable price. I trust my lee beam scale over my electronic any day. If they ever do not agree, I calibrate my electric, and just like that, they agree... When working up loads, the electric is easier to use, but when working with a known weight once the load workup is done, I always use the beam scale.

June 24, 2012, 10:52 AM	#8
mohr308 Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2012 Location: Western New York Posts: 466	at the top and bottom of each pull I give mine a double tap on the front of the drum. Also when Im first dialing in a specific measure, I always run 3-4 throws first then take the next one and check my weight then re-adjust if needed. mine has been very consistent. oh yeah, my first rookie mistake was not having the hopper lined up correctly and on the upstroke the lever was hitting the side of the hopper

June 25, 2012, 09:50 PM	#10
nikdfish Member Join Date: August 17, 2007 Posts: 97	Consistency is crucial to using the PPM. With or without the tapping, each load thrown should involve the same pattern & timing. I sometimes find myself literally counting out a rhythm to the sequence. It also helps to add a baffle at the bottom of the hopper to keep the powder weight pressing into the discharge area more consistent. Aluminum from a soda can works fine & can be cut to shape with scissors then bent to fit. With fine powder, like H110, I frequently see consistent drops that look to be within 0.02 grains of the target amount when not dead on. After getting the drop dialed in, I'll check every tenth round or so to double check that things are staying on target. I find larger extruded powder, like IMR 4895, more problematic, with variations between throws sometimes a tenth of a grain or more, probably due to variability in the density of a given drop. I generally end up throwing a somewhat lighter amount than desired & trickle to the full amount. I use a lee safety scale for weight checking, using the poise lock for the target amount. I added plus/minus 0.1 and 0.2 grain reference marks above/below the balance point mark & it is pretty easy to interpolate to roughly 0.01 grain variations when checking throws. Some less expensive electronic scales cannot hit all the 0.1 grain measures & will "skip" some 0.1 levels (i.e. jump from 0.2 to 0.4 for example). They are typically accurate to 0.01 gram & convert that to get grains. Rounding error results in the skipped 0.1 grain values. Nick