Lee Auto Disk Riser - Why do I need it?

[DaveInPA]

I called the Cabela's store near me today to see if they had this kit in stock in the store:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...847&hasJS=true

They said they don't stock the kits but they have all the pieces of the kit except the auto disk riser. What is that, and do I need it? The Lee site says it is so you can use the auto disk powder measure and the safety prime with other company's dies. I'm buying Lee dies, so is this piece even needed?

Thanks
Dave

[rwilson452]

Yes, you will need it or the autodisk will not clear the safety prime as the turret rotates.

you can get one or the whole shebang at:

http://www.kempfgunshop.com/

Phone: (219) 872-7957 ask for Sue.

I called the Cabela's store near me today to see if they had this kit in stock in the store:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...847&hasJS=true

They said they don't stock the kits but they have all the pieces of the kit except the auto disk riser. What is that, and do I need it? The Lee site says it is so you can use the auto disk powder measure and the safety prime with other company's dies. I'm buying Lee dies, so is this piece even needed?

[DaveInPA]

I'll be buying the stuff at Cabela's on Saturday morning. I'll just use a hand priming tool until the riser comes in

[Crosshair]

The riser has the added bonus of getting powder to settle well. Works great for compressed loads.

[DaveInPA]

So let me make sure I have everything right. The press will function without the riser as long as I don't have the safety prime system installed, correct? I have the riser on order but I want to start using my new toy as soon as I get it!

[rwilson452]

Correct. You may need to adjust your powder drop after you install the riser. not likely but possible. You should always check your powder drops at the beginning of a session anyway The best way to do this is use the press as a single stage to size and deprime, use the autoprime to prime etc. You can use the priming lever and place the primers in the priming lever one at a time but I have found this to be a PITA. You can make ammo without the safety prime.

So let me make sure I have everything right. The press will function without the riser as long as I don't have the safety prime system installed, correct? I have the riser on order but I want to start using my new toy as soon as I get it!

[DaveInPA]

Yeah I figured I could disable the auto index and use the press as a single stage until I get the riser. I'll use the autoprime to prime by hand until then. This weather sucks. I would go to Cabela's and get my gear now, but I'll wait til tomorrow. I think my new 1911 will be at my FFL tomorrow too! Tomorrow is gonna be great!

[rwilson452]

Dave if you have questions about Lee stuff, here is a great place to ask.

http://forums.loadmastervideos.com/forums/

it's not just for LoadMasters. Great videos I might add.

[DaveInPA]

Does anyone know how to turn off the auto indexing on the classic turret press?

[CrustyFN]

Does anyone know how to turn off the auto indexing on the classic turret press?

Take the turret off and remove the indexing rod. When I use it as a single stage press I leave the rod in and just don't let the ram down far enough to let the press index. Then there is nothing to put back together.

Yeah I figured I could disable the auto index and use the press as a single stage until I get the riser.

You can still use it as an indexing press without the auto riser.
1: size and deprime.
2: run the case in the powder die and expand it.
3: take the case out charge it and put it back.
4: seat the bullet.
5: crimp.

Rusty

[DennisD]

When I use it as a single stage press I leave the rod in and just don't let the ram down far enough to let the press index. Then there is nothing to put back together

If you do this, make sure you don't move the ram down enough that it starts to engage the "twisted" part of the index rod. This could damage the small plastic part inside (the press comes with an extra one, the small square plastic piece). Short stroking is well known for damaging this part.

[DaveInPA]

You can still use it as an indexing press without the auto riser.
1: size and deprime.
2: run the case in the powder die and expand it.
3: take the case out charge it and put it back.
4: seat the bullet.
5: crimp.

doh! Why didn't I think of that? One question though. You say charge the case then put the case back. How do I set up the powder measure to operate when not mounted on the powder die?

[CrustyFN]

doh! Why didn't I think of that? One question though. You say charge the case then put the case back. How do I set up the powder measure to operate when not mounted on the powder die?

Good point it lokoks like I confused myself, it's not hard to do. You will be priming by hand so you can size/deprime like on a SS press. Then
1: size and deprime a bunch of cases.
2: prime by hand.
3: expand and charge
4: seat the bullet.
5: crimp.
That is pretty much the same way I load 223 because of the case prep. I will size/deprime about 1,500 cases, then prime 1,500 cases and then finish them one at a time. Just stroke the handle twice to skip the sizing die.

If you do this, make sure you don't move the ram down enough that it starts to engage the "twisted" part of the index rod. This could damage the small plastic part inside (the press comes with an extra one, the small square plastic piece). Short stroking is well known for damaging this part.

Dennis great point, I didn't think to mention that. I have loaded a few thousand 223 using the press like this. Just make sure to stop short of the twist in the indexing rod.
Rusty

[DannyAbear]

I just can't understand why y'all insist on hand priming when the cast turret press had the best priming system of any of the Lee presses.........

[DaveInPA]

Danny I'm just hand priming until I get the riser for the powder measure. The safey prime will not operate otherwise.

[rwilson452]

Dave, what are you loading?

[DaveInPA]

I will be loading .45 ACP and 9mm

[rwilson452]

Lee Rifle Charging Die
This die is used to charge small capacity rifle cases using the Auto-Disk Powder Measure. It works the same as the pistol powder through expanding dies except it doesn't expand the case mouth. Rifle case expansion is normally done in the sizing die.

[DannyAbear]

Dave, you can prime on the press ,it's just that the turret can't turn without the powder measure hiting the primer; Either remove or turn it to a different position and you can still prime on the press single stage style

[DaveInPA]

Dave, you can prime on the press ,it's just that the turret can't turn without the powder measure hiting the primer; Either remove or turn it to a different position and you can still prime on the press single stage style

I see what you're saying. Again, why didn't I think of that? Haha.

[grymster2007]

The other thing a riser will do is let the Auto-Disk clear other manufacturer's dies that have taller features on them. For two calibers I use RCBS sizing and seating/crimping dies, with a Lee powder through expander between them. The RCBS dies are taller than the Lee dies and the Auto-Disk riser allows for plenty of clearance.

[rwilson452]

That's not an earthquake. That is me beating my head against the keyboard.

Dave, you can prime on the press ,it's just that the turret can't turn without the powder measure hiting the primer; Either remove or turn it to a different position and you can still prime on the press single stage style

[DaveInPA]

That's not an earthquake. That is me beating my head against the keyboard.

HAHA Me too. I almost wasted money and time on the auto prime. I'm so excited for tomorrow. Picking up all of my reloading gear AND my new 1911. Gonna be a good Saturday for sure!