Experiment with Lee Auto Drum.

Prof Young · February 15, 2020, 11:56 PM

Loaders:

I've been using a Lee Auto Drum for a long time now. Some where along the way I got the idea that drum type powder measures need to stay half full or more to throw consistent loads. Well, I was getting down to the end of my powder and my bullets. I was loading 9mm and throwing 5.5 grains of Accurate #5. As powder neared the bottom I started to weigh the powder every fifth load. The drum was nearly empty by the time I ran out of bullets and it was throwing the 5.5 grains just fine. It did have a .1 variation on occasion, but it does that with a full drum.

Thoughts and comments welcome.

Life is good.
Prof Young

TJB101 · February 16, 2020, 05:50 AM

Same on my end ... was very happy that I was getting very consistent throws right to the last drop.

mikejonestkd · February 16, 2020, 10:44 AM

I am really pleased with the accuracy of my lee auto drum. I mainly used it for rifle rounds and find it pretty consistent.
For example, my go to plinking load for 223 rem is a 55gr Hornady FMJ BT over 25.5 gr of Varget. The auto drum throws charges within .2gr which is fine by me.
I've only had my auto drum for 6 months or so, but so far I give it two thumbs up.

mikld · February 16, 2020, 11:56 AM

Thanks Professor. I like to see real life, personal tests, rather than "I read on the internet...", I saw it on youtube..." or "I was listening to a group of old fellers at the gun shop...".

TruthTellers · February 16, 2020, 03:04 PM

Is AA#5 as fine as AA#9 is? I tried #9 in my Lee Perfect Powder Measure last night and while it was accurate +/- .2 grains, it leaked powder and was tough to throw a charge due to the leakage.

I got the AA#9 mainly for .327, but figured it also would do well in .357 and 10mm, which I would use the Lee Auto Drum to charge those with.

Prof Young · February 17, 2020, 01:25 AM

Sorry Truthteller, I have never used Accurate #9 so I can't tell you. I will say that when I use really fine powders it does leak a little tiny bit.

Life is good.
Prof Young

mikld · February 17, 2020, 12:00 PM

My PPM sometimes leaks with fine ball powders WC820 (don't use any AA9). I can tighten the adjusting screw a bit on the drum and the leak usually stops.

jetinteriorguy · February 18, 2020, 08:11 AM

That's why I don't use Accurate pistol powders. You can cut down on leakage with the Lee PPM by lapping the drum in the housing with a fast cutting buffing compound. By lapping and properly adjusting the tension screw you can eliminate about 90% of the leakage. Or for a few bucks more get a Lee Deluxe PPM, no leakage at all and does a great job.

February 15, 2020, 11:56 PM	#1
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Experiment with Lee Auto Drum. Loaders: I've been using a Lee Auto Drum for a long time now. Some where along the way I got the idea that drum type powder measures need to stay half full or more to throw consistent loads. Well, I was getting down to the end of my powder and my bullets. I was loading 9mm and throwing 5.5 grains of Accurate #5. As powder neared the bottom I started to weigh the powder every fifth load. The drum was nearly empty by the time I ran out of bullets and it was throwing the 5.5 grains just fine. It did have a .1 variation on occasion, but it does that with a full drum. Thoughts and comments welcome. Life is good. Prof Young

February 16, 2020, 10:44 AM	#3
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,716	I am really pleased with the accuracy of my lee auto drum. I mainly used it for rifle rounds and find it pretty consistent. For example, my go to plinking load for 223 rem is a 55gr Hornady FMJ BT over 25.5 gr of Varget. The auto drum throws charges within .2gr which is fine by me. I've only had my auto drum for 6 months or so, but so far I give it two thumbs up. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

February 16, 2020, 11:56 AM	#4
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Thanks Professor. I like to see real life, personal tests, rather than "I read on the internet...", I saw it on youtube..." or "I was listening to a group of old fellers at the gun shop...". __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

February 17, 2020, 01:25 AM	#6
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Have never used #9 so . . . Sorry Truthteller, I have never used Accurate #9 so I can't tell you. I will say that when I use really fine powders it does leak a little tiny bit. Life is good. Prof Young

February 17, 2020, 12:00 PM	#7
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	My PPM sometimes leaks with fine ball powders WC820 (don't use any AA9). I can tighten the adjusting screw a bit on the drum and the leak usually stops. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

February 16, 2020, 05:50 AM	#2
TJB101 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2017 Posts: 498	Same on my end ... was very happy that I was getting very consistent throws right to the last drop.

February 16, 2020, 03:04 PM	#5
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,883	Is AA#5 as fine as AA#9 is? I tried #9 in my Lee Perfect Powder Measure last night and while it was accurate +/- .2 grains, it leaked powder and was tough to throw a charge due to the leakage. I got the AA#9 mainly for .327, but figured it also would do well in .357 and 10mm, which I would use the Lee Auto Drum to charge those with. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

February 18, 2020, 08:11 AM	#8
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,173	That's why I don't use Accurate pistol powders. You can cut down on leakage with the Lee PPM by lapping the drum in the housing with a fast cutting buffing compound. By lapping and properly adjusting the tension screw you can eliminate about 90% of the leakage. Or for a few bucks more get a Lee Deluxe PPM, no leakage at all and does a great job.