I am generally the last guy in the world to figure something out.

Doc Hoy · September 18, 2022, 01:45 PM

I have always liked Lee presses and have had this turret job for about fifteen years.

About five years ago I bought the Hornady powder measure.

I had them mounted separately so I had to do a lot of fiddling with the cases to charge them.

So I moved the powder measure and made a stand that allows the measure to swing away from the press to a stow position or back to the press to line up with the die.

I am not well experienced in hand loading. I think I am once again the last person in the world to do this.

First photo is close-up of measure lined up with the die

Second photo is the measure swung back. In this photo you can see the adjustment for alignment with the funnel of the die

Third view is from the front and showing the top swivel

Doc Hoy · September 18, 2022, 01:47 PM

The whole McGilla.

**Unclenick** · September 18, 2022, 04:11 PM

...Or, you drop $40 on a Lee Auto-drum and the riser for it. I believe you would then only need to unscrew the hex funnel from your dispensing die and screw the riser in and the measure into the riser. This measure is case-activated like a Dillon, so you wouldn't have to remember to manually operate the powder measure.

mikejonestkd · September 18, 2022, 08:24 PM

I took a quick look at your contraption...and concur with Unclenick.
My lee autodrums are inexpensive, simple to set up, and accurate.

Doc Hoy · September 19, 2022, 12:25 AM

My point in doing these things has more to do with the enjoyment I get from doing them.

I am working on a mechanism that will advance the turret on the Lee press. I know I can go buy one, but the point is making it.

Some years ago, I made a device to press the roundballs into a revolver cylinder. It was so big, I had to trade in my Colorado for a Sierra so I could haul it to the range. (Well, maybe not that big.)

But it was still fun doing it.

noylj · September 19, 2022, 03:51 AM

Fun is fun. You could install Hornady powder die in press and drop in proper Hornady expande/flare insert, install measure, and have case activated powder measure. No big deal.

Doc Hoy · September 19, 2022, 05:53 AM

That would remove the concern of powder charge inconsistency from the breeze, a fan or my breath blowing powder out of the falling stream.

jetinteriorguy · September 19, 2022, 07:09 AM

Not sure what company it was all those years ago, but I purchased adapters that allowed me to attach both my Lee Perfect Powder measure and my Lyman 55 powder measure directly to the Lee powder drop die. Perhaps they make one for the Hornady too, although your solution is a good one given the size and weight of this powder measure it’s probably better not having it mounted directly to the turret.

Doc Hoy · September 19, 2022, 07:36 AM

The stand and the mounting of the base to the bench are quite robust because of the weight of the measure.

Metal god · September 20, 2022, 11:12 AM

Interesting, I likely would have installed higher to allow for a funnel. Regardless I use the auto drum

**44 AMP** · September 20, 2022, 01:22 PM

Glad it works for you! I gave up "on the press" powder charging years ago, and returned to my old method of hand charging and using a loading block. It just works better, for me.

Electrod47 · September 20, 2022, 02:36 PM

"Where there's a will, Theres' a way'

**Unclenick** · September 23, 2022, 02:37 PM

To pick up on MG's point, if it were to make the vertical post taller, you could adjust the height to insert the drop tube of your choice to help compact a powder for compressed loads.

Doc Hoy · September 24, 2022, 12:11 PM

Actually that is the way it works. I can move the powder measure up and down but about three to four inches by either adjusting the measure in the plate or adjusting the shaft in the clamp. When I get it going (I have not used it yet), I will have a better understanding of adjustments and powder flow.

September 18, 2022, 04:11 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,738	...Or, you drop $40 on a Lee Auto-drum and the riser for it. I believe you would then only need to unscrew the hex funnel from your dispensing die and screw the riser in and the measure into the riser. This measure is case-activated like a Dillon, so you wouldn't have to remember to manually operate the powder measure. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 18, 2022, 08:24 PM	#4
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,759	I took a quick look at your contraption...and concur with Unclenick. My lee autodrums are inexpensive, simple to set up, and accurate. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

September 19, 2022, 12:25 AM	#5
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Agree with all My point in doing these things has more to do with the enjoyment I get from doing them. I am working on a mechanism that will advance the turret on the Lee press. I know I can go buy one, but the point is making it. Some years ago, I made a device to press the roundballs into a revolver cylinder. It was so big, I had to trade in my Colorado for a Sierra so I could haul it to the range. (Well, maybe not that big.) But it was still fun doing it. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

September 19, 2022, 05:53 AM	#7
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Yes, I could. That would remove the concern of powder charge inconsistency from the breeze, a fan or my breath blowing powder out of the falling stream. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

September 19, 2022, 07:36 AM	#9
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Yes. Agree. The stand and the mounting of the base to the bench are quite robust because of the weight of the measure. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

September 19, 2022, 03:51 AM	#6
noylj Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2007 Location: Between CA and NM Posts: 860	Fun is fun. You could install Hornady powder die in press and drop in proper Hornady expande/flare insert, install measure, and have case activated powder measure. No big deal.

September 19, 2022, 07:09 AM	#8
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,475	Not sure what company it was all those years ago, but I purchased adapters that allowed me to attach both my Lee Perfect Powder measure and my Lyman 55 powder measure directly to the Lee powder drop die. Perhaps they make one for the Hornady too, although your solution is a good one given the size and weight of this powder measure it’s probably better not having it mounted directly to the turret.

September 20, 2022, 11:12 AM	#10
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 7,131	Interesting, I likely would have installed higher to allow for a funnel. Regardless I use the auto drum __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

September 20, 2022, 01:22 PM	#11
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,466	Glad it works for you! I gave up "on the press" powder charging years ago, and returned to my old method of hand charging and using a loading block. It just works better, for me. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

September 20, 2022, 02:36 PM	#12
Electrod47 Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2021 Location: SE Mississippi Posts: 105	"Where there's a will, Theres' a way'

September 23, 2022, 02:37 PM	#13
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,738	To pick up on MG's point, if it were to make the vertical post taller, you could adjust the height to insert the drop tube of your choice to help compact a powder for compressed loads. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 24, 2022, 12:11 PM	#14
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	UNcle Nick and MG... Actually that is the way it works. I can move the powder measure up and down but about three to four inches by either adjusting the measure in the plate or adjusting the shaft in the clamp. When I get it going (I have not used it yet), I will have a better understanding of adjustments and powder flow. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.