Lee .223 Powder thru expander die!!

treebeard68 · December 20, 2006, 08:51 PM

I just got all my stuff together to start loading .223. I purchased the Lee Powder thru expander die and it is giving me inaccurate measurements almost every other charge. Also, it seems the conversion chart (disk vs. grains) is not giving me what it is supposed to. Example: The 1.57 disk is supposed to give me 24.3 grains but I am getting 24.9-25.0 grains. The 1.46 disk is supposed to give me 22.6 and I am getting 23 grains. What's up? I don't have this issue loading .45ACP, the charge is the same 99% of the time. Yes my scale is zeroed. Is there a better way to load the powder because if there is I am all for it. Also, is it me or is seating the bullet a little more tricky because you are not expanding the casemouth like on .45ACP or .38Sp?

Ausserordeutlich · December 20, 2006, 09:51 PM

Try the adjustable charge bar and set it according to what your scale shows for the proper charge.

treebeard68 · December 20, 2006, 10:33 PM

What is the adjustable charge bar?

Ausserordeutlich · December 20, 2006, 11:27 PM

It's an adjustable bar that one uses, in lieu of the disk. You can adjust the charges infinitely within the parameters of the charge bar. Works just like Dillon's, except it's plastic.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.co...sku=0000690792

**Unclenick** · December 21, 2006, 12:50 AM

Powder density can vary with humidity and lot number for the powder. Also with how you use the measure (how much vibration, shaking, how tall the powder column is; powders that pack more easily than others are most sensitive to these things). The adjustable cavity is a good approach. I know someone who used to make his own discs from PVC on a mill. It can also help to get rid of static electricity on plastic parts, including the hopper, by wiping them down with a clothes dryer laundy sheet or a computer screen cleaner that is anti-static. Sometimes it is useful to run a container of plain graphite powder through a measure when it is new to get all the parts sliding well. That also helps with the static situation.

goose2w1 · December 21, 2006, 02:28 AM

I too use the powder thru expander die on my 4 hole lee turret. I find that the conversion chart is just a useful starter tool for finding the right disk number. I use WC844 and it's about .2 grains off from the chart. when I load 9mm though with WW231 the charge is always spot on. I guess it varies alittle with powder type and lot #. As far as the adjustable charge bar, I find for bigger loads it only works well with a ball type powder. As far as bullet seating goes, I use 62g FMJBT and they are fine, but with Winchester 64 grain bullets(I think they are) with a flat base, it can be a little tricky. Hopes this helps some.

treebeard68 · December 21, 2006, 09:08 AM

Thanks for the help and the link!!

amamnn · December 21, 2006, 06:05 PM

It sounds like you have the regular (rectangular powder reservoir) Lee auto disk powder measure. If so, there are 3 things you can do to make the powder drops through the expander die more accurate.

1-- buy the Pro auto disk upgrade kit from lee--it has the adjustable charge bar and a better drop system.

2-- donate the regular disk system to a scrap drive and buy the Pro system or the stand alone measure. The stand alone will not work with the die.

3-- donate the regular disk system AND the die to a scrap drive and buy a stand alone measure.

I use the Pro auto disk for pistol loads and it can be made to work very well with the addition of an RCBS powder baffle, which needs to be spread a bit to fit in the Lee, but it will fit. Also, any powder measure has little cracks and crannies which will leak and/or accumulate powder and then release it when you least need it. These cracks can be filled up by dropping a pinch or two of fine ground mica into the measure and working it through the system. The mica will not hurt anything, it is an inert material and if a tiny bit gets in a load it's no problem. Also the mica is good for lubricating rifle case necks before FL sizing. I use the mica in my Lee, RCBS and PACT powder measures.

treebeard68 · December 21, 2006, 09:16 PM

Great. I am going out tomorrow to get some more equipment.

Dave R · December 22, 2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Great. I am going out tomorrow to get some more equipment.

And that's not the last time we'll hear that phrase...

45reloader · December 26, 2006, 07:14 PM

I have 2 Lee presses
You have to use the press at full speed also to get the powder to meter even.
I went slow at first and had the same problem.

The Disks are off for most powders but the Disks should give an even amount.So pick a disk that falls close to your desired powder charge.Use your scale to find the correct disk-vs- powder grains amout.

amamnn · December 26, 2006, 07:27 PM

It's not that the disks ar off; they are designed to meter a mean volume. As noted above powder density can and will vary from the mean. This is why the pro auto disk is desirable; you can adjust the drop to compensate for powder denist variations. Still ALL powder measures should be checked against a scale occasionally to be sure they are not bridging or hiding powder in cracks and crannies. But that's a different problem.

December 20, 2006, 08:51 PM	#1
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	Lee .223 Powder thru expander die!! I just got all my stuff together to start loading .223. I purchased the Lee Powder thru expander die and it is giving me inaccurate measurements almost every other charge. Also, it seems the conversion chart (disk vs. grains) is not giving me what it is supposed to. Example: The 1.57 disk is supposed to give me 24.3 grains but I am getting 24.9-25.0 grains. The 1.46 disk is supposed to give me 22.6 and I am getting 23 grains. What's up? I don't have this issue loading .45ACP, the charge is the same 99% of the time. Yes my scale is zeroed. Is there a better way to load the powder because if there is I am all for it. Also, is it me or is seating the bullet a little more tricky because you are not expanding the casemouth like on .45ACP or .38Sp?

December 21, 2006, 12:50 AM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,738	Powder density can vary with humidity and lot number for the powder. Also with how you use the measure (how much vibration, shaking, how tall the powder column is; powders that pack more easily than others are most sensitive to these things). The adjustable cavity is a good approach. I know someone who used to make his own discs from PVC on a mill. It can also help to get rid of static electricity on plastic parts, including the hopper, by wiping them down with a clothes dryer laundy sheet or a computer screen cleaner that is anti-static. Sometimes it is useful to run a container of plain graphite powder through a measure when it is new to get all the parts sliding well. That also helps with the static situation. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 20, 2006, 09:51 PM	#2
Ausserordeutlich Junior member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 996	Try the adjustable charge bar and set it according to what your scale shows for the proper charge.

December 20, 2006, 10:33 PM	#3
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	What is the adjustable charge bar?

December 20, 2006, 11:27 PM	#4
Ausserordeutlich Junior member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 996	It's an adjustable bar that one uses, in lieu of the disk. You can adjust the charges infinitely within the parameters of the charge bar. Works just like Dillon's, except it's plastic. http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.co...sku=0000690792

December 21, 2006, 02:28 AM	#6
goose2w1 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Posts: 123	I too use the powder thru expander die on my 4 hole lee turret. I find that the conversion chart is just a useful starter tool for finding the right disk number. I use WC844 and it's about .2 grains off from the chart. when I load 9mm though with WW231 the charge is always spot on. I guess it varies alittle with powder type and lot #. As far as the adjustable charge bar, I find for bigger loads it only works well with a ball type powder. As far as bullet seating goes, I use 62g FMJBT and they are fine, but with Winchester 64 grain bullets(I think they are) with a flat base, it can be a little tricky. Hopes this helps some.

December 21, 2006, 09:08 AM	#7
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	Thanks for the help and the link!!

December 21, 2006, 06:05 PM	#8
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	It sounds like you have the regular (rectangular powder reservoir) Lee auto disk powder measure. If so, there are 3 things you can do to make the powder drops through the expander die more accurate. 1-- buy the Pro auto disk upgrade kit from lee--it has the adjustable charge bar and a better drop system. 2-- donate the regular disk system to a scrap drive and buy the Pro system or the stand alone measure. The stand alone will not work with the die. 3-- donate the regular disk system AND the die to a scrap drive and buy a stand alone measure. I use the Pro auto disk for pistol loads and it can be made to work very well with the addition of an RCBS powder baffle, which needs to be spread a bit to fit in the Lee, but it will fit. Also, any powder measure has little cracks and crannies which will leak and/or accumulate powder and then release it when you least need it. These cracks can be filled up by dropping a pinch or two of fine ground mica into the measure and working it through the system. The mica will not hurt anything, it is an inert material and if a tiny bit gets in a load it's no problem. Also the mica is good for lubricating rifle case necks before FL sizing. I use the mica in my Lee, RCBS and PACT powder measures.

December 21, 2006, 09:16 PM	#9
treebeard68 Member Join Date: December 6, 2006 Location: NH Posts: 33	Great. I am going out tomorrow to get some more equipment.

December 26, 2006, 07:14 PM	#11
45reloader Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2006 Location: PA Posts: 669	I have 2 Lee presses You have to use the press at full speed also to get the powder to meter even. I went slow at first and had the same problem. The Disks are off for most powders but the Disks should give an even amount.So pick a disk that falls close to your desired powder charge.Use your scale to find the correct disk-vs- powder grains amout.

December 26, 2006, 07:27 PM	#12
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	It's not that the disks ar off; they are designed to meter a mean volume. As noted above powder density can and will vary from the mean. This is why the pro auto disk is desirable; you can adjust the drop to compensate for powder denist variations. Still ALL powder measures should be checked against a scale occasionally to be sure they are not bridging or hiding powder in cracks and crannies. But that's a different problem.