LEE Auto drum Finally out!!

[ncrypt]

Yes, you can easily remove the safety button or re-install it.

I removed mine and noticed you can also remove the auto-riser since it now misses the primer feed.

I did a 100 rounds with it tonight and I love it. All of my drops were right on with a handful being within 1-3 tenths of a grain off. This is using CFE 223 for my 308. I see no leakage yet.

[blackhawk44]

Got mine yesterday. Mounted on manual 3 hole turret and Dillon 450. Reset button is a pain. Removed and mounted a flag made from painters tape on chamber thumb screw to be an obvious indicator that drum functioned. Set charge for 2.7gr Bullseye. Threw 10 charges and weighed the total at 27.1gr. Repeated test, 10 charges for 27.2gr. Third test, 27.1gr. I'm happy.

[jetinteriorguy]

Ordered mine last night, should be a nice addition. I have a buttload of wadcutters to load for my .38.

[849ACSO]

So............. What's the advantage to the drum vs. the pro auto disk? You guys have captured my interest.

[snuffy]

So............. What's the advantage to the drum vs. the pro auto disk? You guys have captured my interest.

Well lets see----, adjustable from 0 to 80 grains of most powders In-Other-Words no steps like the disc measure. Uses a large and small drum that's easy to set AND remove without removing the measure from the press. Compact design takes up less room and light weight. Safety design of a lock-out that HAS to be d-activated to actually throw a charge, or can be removed for the auto turret so each ram stroke charges a case. Progressive presses will use the bead chain included to d-activate the safety lockout for each ram stroke. Leak proof! That alone is worth every penny. Costs only $45.00,(list price from Lee), I got mine from Titan Reloading for $35.99 + $2.35 tax. Order one online for a total of $44.29 if you're a Wisconsin resident.

Notes;
The hopper shut off allows you to remove the drum to replace it with another one set for a different charge weight or different powder. HOWEVER there's powder under that valve the has to be worked through the measure before removal of the drum. Failure to do that will mean spilled powder along with a few choice words! (cussing)!

There's a thin film of some sort of grease, maybe Vaseline, inside the measure. Clean it first with some mild solvent, I used alcohol. I also used some black graphite to help reduce friction and dissipate static. Most powder already has graphite on it, but it takes passage of a lot of powder to coat the measure's inside surfaces.

There's a kit available with two extra drums, large and small. These could be marked with type of powder and charge weight.

For rifle loading, you'll need a rifle charge die. If you're using the auto disc now, you can simply replace the disc with the auto drum measure. For the turret, you'll need the riser so the measure doesn't interfere with the safety prime. OR if you remove the safety lock-out, the measure will clear the safety prime.

[lamarw]

I ordered one this morning off Amazon.com. It was $45.00 but free shipping. It seemed the link above for $39.95 did not include free shipping and would cost your in total more than $45.00.

Anyway, there were only 4 left after I placed my order on Amazon. I am not sure but think it is the same retailer.

Mine should arrive next week.

Thanks for the Heads-Up.

[KEYBEAR]

I wonder how it will do with extruded stick?


It do not know of anything that handles stick powder well .

[lamarw]

Words from the advertisement blog:

"Works great with difficult metering extruded powders."

[daboone]

It design for metering and dispensing is basically the same as the Lee PPM. The PPM and it's upgrade the Classic PM are excellent for dispensing consistent accurate powder drops. So I'm betting it will handle extruded powders like IMR or H4895 very well.

[snuffy]

I ordered one this morning off Amazon.com. It was $45.00 but free shipping. It seemed the link above for $39.95 did not include free shipping and would cost your in total more than $45.00.

Anyway, there were only 4 left after I placed my order on Amazon. I am not sure but think it is the same retailer.

Mine should arrive next week.

Thanks for the Heads-Up.

Shipping for 2 day priority mail was $5.95 for me, that would bring it up to $41.94. (Price on the Titan reloading page is $35.99) If you're in Wisconsin it would jump to $44.94 because of state sales tax. Oh well, it's still a great price for a great measure.

[lamarw]

I stand corrected. Thank you snuffy.

[snuffy]

I just finished loading some 7-08 with 2 powders that could be/are used for it, H-335 and H-4831-SC. Procedure was to size and prime a shell, place it on RCBS digital scale platen, then hit the zero button. That tares the case to zero so whatever is in the case after charging shows up as the actual charge weight. That eliminates dumping the powder in the scale pan, and the chance some of it may/will cling to the inside of the mouth,( sprayed with Midway case lube gets some on the inside of the necks). You’re never sure you got it all out of the case.

The 335 is as follows. Target was 39.0 grains
38.8
39.0
39.0
39.1
39.4
39.1
39.0
39.0
39.4
39.1
39.4
That’s a .6 grain swing over 12 charges. Not as good as I expected for a fine ball powder. I also noticed a bit of leakage on top of the turret and press top, which was clean before starting.

H-4831 SC weight selected was 47.0 grains
47.0
46.6
46.7
46.9
46.5
46.9
46.9
47.3
46.8
47.1
47.1
46.9
46.9
47.1
46.7
46.8
So 17 charges again .6 grain variance. No leaks

Anybody have any ideas for some other powders? Suitable for 7-08?

[Vance]

Went to titan to purchase this measure. $35.99 + 10.55 shipping = $46.54. Cancelled that transaction. Went to Ebay and searched for this measure and found Titan's listing for it. $44.99 + free shipping. Bought that. Titan's own web site lists it for the lowest price I've seen, but the shipping takes it higher than their ebay listing.

[Bosn Ski]

I purchased mine through Amazon, $45 and it arrived in 5 totals days (one day earlier than promised). Shipping was listed for free, but as other people have posted, the list price on Titan and shipping was in the $45 neighborhood. So either way it seems like it doesn't matter, Titan's website or Amazon. (Unless you get points...!) The Auto Drum is coming from the same place.

How critical is the graphite step when cleaning the hopper? I don't have any. Will the alcohol rub down be enough?

Thanks!

[A pause for the COZ]

Vance when your ordering from Titan, It gives you options for shipping.
The lowest priced is never the default. I usually use Priority mail 2 day.
Mine came to $7.76 but I ordered more stuff than just the measure.

Oh I did get my measure.. Un fortunately I received a defective one. It is completely locked up. As if the parts did not fit and they made them go in anyway.
So its on its way back to LEE for replacement.
Should get mine ( A new one I hope) next week.

[snuffy]

2 more tests with the pistol drum in measure #2. With 2 notoriously difficult to meter powders. Unique and IMR 800-X

First Unique, target charge is 6.5
6.5
6.6
6.4
6.6
6.7
6.6
6.6
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.6
6.5
6.7
6.8
6.5
6.6
6.5
6.6

Wow, .4 grain variance for unique? This was for my 45 again with the MP 200 SWC
Now for the 800 X target charge is 7.2
7.2
7.3
6.9
6.9
7.1
7.2
7.1
7.1
7.5 tossed it back, max is 7.9
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.1
7.2
6.9
7.0
7.1
7.0
Well, one high at 7.5 otherwise pretty darn even for such a hard powder to get to meter well. .6 under the 200 SWC is probably better than these old eyes can see to shoot. Pretty happy with the performance for pistols, I can see a couple of more in the future.

[Vance]

I know about the shipping options. Mine ranged from $10.55 to $118 depending on who the carrier is and how fast I wanted it. The $10.55 was for USPS 3 day Priority mail and was the lowest price quoted.

[Mike Irwin]

If it solves the issues I've had with my Auto Disk Pro leaking fine powders like AA 7 and WW 296, I'll be all over the darned thing.

[A pause for the COZ]

Vance: Oh I see you live out there in the NW. Ok I would use Amazon or Ebay too.

[Bosn Ski]

Would warm soapy water work versus cleaning with denatured alcohol?

Thanks

[snuffy]

Would warm soapy water work versus cleaning with denatured alcohol?

Thanks

I'd bet it would work quite well. It may even be better than alcohol. It would tend to cancel the static as well. Just have to be sure it is dry before use. An air hose to blow it off would be handy.

[forty5]

If it solves the issues I've had with my Auto Disk Pro leaking fine powders like AA 7 and WW 296, I'll be all over the darned thing.

I loaded 50 rounds of 357 Magnum with 296 and 50 rounds of 357 Magnum with BE-86 this morning. No leakage at all with either powder.

[Mike Irwin]

Sweeeeeeeet!

[sghart3578]

"If it solves the issues I've had with my Auto Disk Pro leaking fine powders like AA 7 and WW 296, I'll be all over the darned thing."

This is my thinking also.

I use a lot of AA #5, 7 and 9 and my Lee Pro Auto Disk leaks a little. If this new measure doesn't leak I will be all over it.

I appreciate everyone here posting reviews of their experiences. It helps all of us make decisions.

[Vance]

I've got one coming. I load 357 mag with AA #9. I will post back here with what I find.

Even my Dillon powder measure leaks with AA #9. Works fine with AA # 5 and AA 2230, but #9 leaks. Weird.