Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure . . .

P

Prof Young

New member
Loaders:
So I installed my Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure on my Lee Turret Press today. It took me a bit to figure it out. I didn't understand why the measuring drum didn't turn by hand. So got it installed and it turned fine with the action of the case being raised up etc. I wonder about the little plastic pieces that are the double charge disconnector. It's supposed to help prevent an accidental double charge especially on progressive presses. Seems to me that on a turret press it increases the risk of a case with no powder in it. I visually check for powder before I seat a bullet, but still . . .
I suspect it can be by-passed by returning the small philips screw to it's original hole. Anyway I got it adjusted and running. Made 100 rounds of 380 that I'll try out tomorrow.

Thoughts and comments welcome.

Life is good.
Prof Young
 
The Lee pro auto disk is what they recommend for pistol cartridges. It supposed to be more accurate for charges below 15 grs of powder.

The auto drum will work, but the pro auto disk is better suited for small charges, and more consistent.


At least that's what they told me when I called them as I researched getting one for myself.
 
FWIW, I took the little disconnector off. I had a few rds. of 7.62 x 39 w/o powder a couple of times while it was on.

I find the drum powder measure pretty darned accurate. + or -.1 gn. consistently. This is with a 25 gn. load in the 7.62.

I get the same results in the 6 to 7 gn. loads for pistol.

Russ P
 
Works . . .

Loads I made yesterday shot well today. Will crank out a couple hundred more.

Am thinking about disconnecting the disconnector rod. Makes it too easy to have an empty bullet. The risk of a double charge is much less especially with a small pistol caliber. A double load of 2.8 grains of titegroup would be obviously spilling out of the case.

Life is good.
Prof Young
 
Don't know who they is but I call a BS.

I have been using both disk and drum measures and load nothing but pistol cartridges. Smallest being 2.9gr of HP-38 in a 380ACP. which is smaller than the smallest cavity, number .32 will throw with that powder. Now with Ramshot Silhouette that cavity will thro a 3.7gr charge which is the starting load for the 380acp with a 100gr bullet.

Having used this drum exactly for this purpose I can say my experience has been that I can hold within .1gr of target load with either of those powders within 99%. Almost all charges that have been off more than .1 have been to the low side as opposed to being over charged.

Prof Young I am glad to hear you are have success with your new measure.
 
Don't know who they is but I call a BS.
Click to expand...

I think you are referring to my post. The "they" are Lee precision techs. I called them and asked on behalf of my brother who is getting setup with one.

I don't open my mouth unless I know, or talked to someone first hand who knows. Speculation comes with a disclaimer.

But, I don't have a Lee classic yet, but am getting one I think..so I guess I also called Lee on my own behalf as well
 
I use the drum on my turret press and love it, i had the auto disk, then upgraded it to the pro auto disk before getting the auto drum. The drum is definetly the most accurate of the 3. I have used charges from 3.6gr of titegroup to 23gr of AA2015 stick powder. All with .1gr accuracy. I wouldn't give up my drum for the pro disk for anything. I took off the disconnector before even trying it, on an auto index, I see no point except another step to make a mistake on. YMMV

9miller
 
Get the drum. I have two of the Pro Auto discs and two of the drums. I only use the discs for a couple things but use the drums for everything else. Definitely disconnect the safety connect thing, it's not really needed and IMO increases the likelihood of a squib.
 
Mississippi from previous conversation I think you know I support Lee products, after all they are located in my state. I too have dealt with their CS and support. Their warranty work and repairs have all been 1st class and prompt. Though their product support has more than once left me shaking my head in disbelief.

As I said, I have both and use both. I do like the Auto Disk measure for it's simplicity, though it is lacking in versatility with fixed cavity sizes.. The other short coming of the Auto Disk are the screws they use to fasten the hopper.

After I received my Auto Drum I took a couple days and ran drop tests on it at different weight setting and found with ball pistol powder I could hold .1gr of my target weight. One of my favorite charge loads is 4.1gr of HP-38 and it would hold very consistent at that weight with a fluctuation between 4.05 to 4.15 with a very occasional 4.0 and even less occasional 4.2 The 4.2 was statistically like 1 in every 40 throws while the 4.0 was 1 in 30. I would say that is pretty consistent for a volumetric measure.

Also I just did the same thing with the Ramshot Silhouette powder and it appears to be even more consistent as the powder grains appear to be more uniform than the HP-38.

Also as previously stated I've used the drum to load up some test loads for my 380acp and HP-38. With a 100gr bullet Hodgdon lists a charge of 2.9gr to a max of 3.1gr. That is much smaller than the smallest disk will drop so I used the Drum. At 1st I loaded 25 at 2.9gr and my gun didn't like it at all. I then loaded 50 at 3.0gr and each one was hand weighted on a scale after the drop from the drum. I would guess that 44 were right on the money and 6 had to be poured back because they were heavy. Anyways the gun didn't like this load either so I'm giving up on the hp-38 powder in the 380.

Anyways, if this is what Lee told you then through actual use I have to whole heartedly disagree with them. Though I do find it odd that at many places the Pro sells for more money than the Drum.
 
I know you support Lee products.
I was just regurgitating what they told me first hand. But, sometimes real world results say otherwise.

For some reason, RCBS standard bullet seating dies produce less run-out, in many instances, than several competition seating dies costing $80 or more.... including RCBS's competition seaters!

It's not supposed to work that way, but sometimes it does.
 
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