Lee Pro Auto disk powder measure

Citywaterman · August 3, 2009, 02:53 PM

I have a newbie question that I hope someone can help me with.
I’m using the Lee classic turret press with the Pro Auto disk powder measure. I’m loading mostly .38 special. I’m switching over to load .357mag. I’m using Hodgdon Titegroup powder. The starting load is 4.5 grains of Titegroup. Lee load data says to use the .40 auto disk with this powder (to get 4.4 grains). When measuring the powder drop, I’m consistently getting 4.0 grains. If I go to the next larger size auto disk, it’s too much. Does it sound like I’m making a mistake somewhere? I’m thinking I may need the adjustable charge bar or the double disk kit to get a more precise measure. I’ll probably figure it out tonight, but wanted to ask just incase someone else had this happen in the past and there’s an easy correction.
Thank you,
Citywaterman

dsv424 · August 3, 2009, 03:30 PM

I have the same set up as you and the best way to get more accurate would be to purchase the adjustable charge bar. It works great and you can use it in conjuntion with your disks in a double stack set-up. The other way would be to get a set of Lee dippers and individually load each case to the exact amount you want.
Another way would be to measure 4.0 and get a powder trickler to slowly add the last .4 grains. Everybody has their own special way to achieve that exact amount its your preference as to how you want do it. Hope this helps.

Russ5924 · August 3, 2009, 03:52 PM

Where are you getting your info from, by my chart with Titegroup for 4.4G use the #34 The #40 should be 4.7G. I found for me most times Autodisc is quite accurate. I thought they had changed something so looked it up on the Lee Website there info is came as mine.

Citywaterman · August 3, 2009, 04:10 PM

I was incorrect when I said the .40 size auto disk. The lee load data calls for the .37 size auto disk with Titegroup powder to get 4.4 grains. I was at work and for some reason, .40 was stuck in my head. I'm glad that you noticed that. Thanks, Citywaterman

CrustyFN · August 3, 2009, 04:55 PM

The Lee chart will almost always be low but will get you close. Use whatever disk will get you close to minimum charge and work up from there.

Rusty

Russ5924 · August 3, 2009, 04:58 PM

OK ! Now that we got that straight. What are you using to measure your powder. The Lee scale that came with the kit. Have you zeroed it and make sure your powder is centered in the pan as close as you can when measuring

benzuncle · August 3, 2009, 05:49 PM

The Lee disks are quite accurate with certain types of powders. Win 231/HP-38 and Bullseye work very well with them. For charges that fall in between what the disks dispense, the charge bar is the way to go. A note though: the charge bar doesn't work well with small charges. I don't use it for anything under 4gr.

Citywaterman · August 3, 2009, 07:16 PM

I appreciate all the advice. A good friend just gave me his adjustable charge bar. I will use the adjustable charge bar to get the load I need. He said it works great, but he uses his electronic RCBS powder measure. Thanks again everyone.
Citywaterman

1SOW · August 3, 2009, 10:41 PM

The LEE powder scale is tricky to zero at first. You put the slider on zero AND make sure you can see the two white hash marks on the left end of the scale and one hash mark on the right end.. It's NOT all the way to the right.

August 3, 2009, 02:53 PM	#1
Citywaterman Member Join Date: March 30, 2009 Posts: 99	Lee Pro Auto disk powder measure I have a newbie question that I hope someone can help me with. I’m using the Lee classic turret press with the Pro Auto disk powder measure. I’m loading mostly .38 special. I’m switching over to load .357mag. I’m using Hodgdon Titegroup powder. The starting load is 4.5 grains of Titegroup. Lee load data says to use the .40 auto disk with this powder (to get 4.4 grains). When measuring the powder drop, I’m consistently getting 4.0 grains. If I go to the next larger size auto disk, it’s too much. Does it sound like I’m making a mistake somewhere? I’m thinking I may need the adjustable charge bar or the double disk kit to get a more precise measure. I’ll probably figure it out tonight, but wanted to ask just incase someone else had this happen in the past and there’s an easy correction. Thank you, Citywaterman

August 3, 2009, 04:55 PM	#5
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	The Lee chart will almost always be low but will get you close. Use whatever disk will get you close to minimum charge and work up from there. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

August 3, 2009, 04:58 PM	#6
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	OK ! Now that we got that straight. What are you using to measure your powder. The Lee scale that came with the kit. Have you zeroed it and make sure your powder is centered in the pan as close as you can when measuring __________________ Russ5924

August 3, 2009, 07:16 PM	#8
Citywaterman Member Join Date: March 30, 2009 Posts: 99	Adjustable charge bar I appreciate all the advice. A good friend just gave me his adjustable charge bar. I will use the adjustable charge bar to get the load I need. He said it works great, but he uses his electronic RCBS powder measure. Thanks again everyone. Citywaterman

August 3, 2009, 03:30 PM	#2
dsv424 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 266	I have the same set up as you and the best way to get more accurate would be to purchase the adjustable charge bar. It works great and you can use it in conjuntion with your disks in a double stack set-up. The other way would be to get a set of Lee dippers and individually load each case to the exact amount you want. Another way would be to measure 4.0 and get a powder trickler to slowly add the last .4 grains. Everybody has their own special way to achieve that exact amount its your preference as to how you want do it. Hope this helps.

August 3, 2009, 03:52 PM	#3
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	Where are you getting your info from, by my chart with Titegroup for 4.4G use the #34 The #40 should be 4.7G. I found for me most times Autodisc is quite accurate. I thought they had changed something so looked it up on the Lee Website there info is came as mine. __________________ Russ5924

August 3, 2009, 04:10 PM	#4
Citywaterman Member Join Date: March 30, 2009 Posts: 99	Correction I was incorrect when I said the .40 size auto disk. The lee load data calls for the .37 size auto disk with Titegroup powder to get 4.4 grains. I was at work and for some reason, .40 was stuck in my head. I'm glad that you noticed that. Thanks, Citywaterman

August 3, 2009, 05:49 PM	#7
benzuncle Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 357	The Lee disks are quite accurate with certain types of powders. Win 231/HP-38 and Bullseye work very well with them. For charges that fall in between what the disks dispense, the charge bar is the way to go. A note though: the charge bar doesn't work well with small charges. I don't use it for anything under 4gr.

August 3, 2009, 10:41 PM	#9
1SOW Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: South TX Posts: 269	The LEE powder scale is tricky to zero at first. You put the slider on zero AND make sure you can see the two white hash marks on the left end of the scale and one hash mark on the right end.. It's NOT all the way to the right.