Lee turret or progressive press
- Thread starter Wendyj
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http://dillonprecision.net/break-even-calculator/
I showed this in other thread about buying a progressive. It gives an idea of how the new progressive will pay for its self.
The lee progressives are ok but require more attention to keep running smooth. The Dillions are not perfect but they go alot longer between tunes ups. Once I calculated it out the dillion only made sense. I make alot of ammoso that was also a factor for me.
Any way you go a progressive is great to haveonce you have worked past the "Joy" of loading rounds one at a time, four pulls per round.
I showed this in other thread about buying a progressive. It gives an idea of how the new progressive will pay for its self.
The lee progressives are ok but require more attention to keep running smooth. The Dillions are not perfect but they go alot longer between tunes ups. Once I calculated it out the dillion only made sense. I make alot of ammoso that was also a factor for me.
Any way you go a progressive is great to haveonce you have worked past the "Joy" of loading rounds one at a time, four pulls per round.
I might try that route once I feel safer with this one. I loaded around 70 grains of 45 colt in about an hour and that was stopping to weigh every charge but 10. First 40 were on borderline so I didn't want an overcharge. Primer took some getting used to as it was in my way. I put a washer on the back side of it to have it flip up out of my way after I remembered someone doing it on you tube. I think I can get an easy 150 per hour once I trust the powder charger more. I've ordered another charger but this one with Unique is only varying by at most .2 grain so I am in the safe mode. I am sure it will throw some other powders better.
Not much of a picture but it is set up and I filled a few loading blocks with what I needed for the day. Waiting for double disk set to load 223. Should be here tomorrow. The Benchmark powder should throw consistent I hope. Was way faster than my single stage press anyway.
Not much of a picture but it is set up and I filled a few loading blocks with what I needed for the day. Waiting for double disk set to load 223. Should be here tomorrow. The Benchmark powder should throw consistent I hope. Was way faster than my single stage press anyway.
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Bench looks very comfortable. You will also become more comfortable with the powder measure and just what consistency it will hold with time. For the powders I use I have found at least 2 charges that will work for each caliber I shoot. They may not be the optimum but they are within .2gr high or low of my target load weight. And from my testing when I did the load workups I have to say I could not tell a difference of .2gr of powder when all else was the same. Couldn't see a change in POI, grouping size or perceived recoil in normal target loads at target distances.
The Unique metered better yesterday when I just had it on my single stage press. Done ok on progressive until I installed the riser. Probably more user error than the measure. It's still within 1-2 tenths of a grain which no harm on a 45 colt. I'm waiting on more turrets to set the 9 mm up. Powder minimum and maximum not a lot of spread so I will have to be more careful. I read flake powders are an issue in this measure. I use hp38 and Titegroup in the 9mm.
mikejonestkd
New member
I use a ton of 231 in 9mm, and it meters nicely though the Lee power measure. Enjoy the press, I love mine!
My double disk kit will be here tomorrow afternoon. I should have ordered more turrets from the start but wasn't sure how it was going to work out. Been using the Lyman case prep center and getting crimps out of 223 primer pockets and prepping about 400 pieces all same head stamp. I've got another 500 mixed head stamp. My eyes aren't good enough to read any but the lake city. I wasn't so fond of my Lee reloading manual but it gives charges and disk numbers for every load. It was well worth it's money now. I found 300 Berry bullets and 100 ftx in 9 mm. I hadn't loaded last year. I've got a 1000 rounds of 9 mm and 380 brass. Haven't loaded for 380 yet.
The adjustable charge bar is excellent. I love that for pistol. I seem to recall some flap about very small throws people were having using it for .380 and some powders though. I managed to find a micro disc set for that from someone selling repops on ebay since Lee broke the mold for it.
lordmorgul
New member
Be aware that the powder throw with the Auto Disk varies across the volume of powder above in the tank! Take care to keep it always *at least* half full while using, choose your disk with it completely filled tank.
This is significantly worse for pistol powders with smaller extrusions even though the metering gets more accurate that way it gets more sensitive to pressure too.
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Andrew - Lancaster, CA
NRA Life Member, SAF / CRPA / FPC member and supporter, USCCA Member
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The adjustable charge bar, hereafter referred to as the ACB, takes on a very irregular shape, when set for very low charge volumes. When using more coarse powders, the disks do better with their round apertures, although you may have to compromise in the charge weight achieved by maybe a tenth of a grain. I just switched from ACB to disk using a small cowboy load of Trailboss with its relatively big, disk-shaped flakes. I was getting rounds with very low charges, I presume because the ACB was clogged. The ACB opening looked like the shape of my mouth, set for 3.0 grains. With the disk, I had to settle for 3.1, well within the cowboy velocity rating range.
Just looked for a video at used to be on youtube for a modification to the Lee Disks used in the Auto Disk measure but unfortunately was unable to locate it.
Basic gist of it is to drill and tap the front of the disk to accept a setscrew. This way the setscrew can be adjusted into the cavity reducing it's size and volume. The bigger the diameter the setscrew used the more adjustment there is.
Basic gist of it is to drill and tap the front of the disk to accept a setscrew. This way the setscrew can be adjusted into the cavity reducing it's size and volume. The bigger the diameter the setscrew used the more adjustment there is.
Lee turret is great -- speeds things greatly. But I have ceased using it as a turret. My problem is that I have had too many squib loads -- no or much too small powder charge. I think the same problem would happen with a progressive outfit. If someone could suggest a foolproof way of solving that problem, I would be appreciative.
willr
willr
I use my presses in a way that allows me to view the powder charge before placing a bullet. I go at a speed that allows that. I use a flexlight strapped to the press and pointing downward into the seating station. I do this on a Hornady LnL AP, a Lee Cast Turret, and now the new Lee Pro4000. I can tell just by looking from the same spot when the powder level varies by enough to be a concern.
lee n. field
New member
A "powder cop" die, or a nice bright light shining down, and examine each charged case.
No offense meant, there is something wrong with your process. One squib load is one too many and I have never had a measure throw nothing. You need to start over your whole set up and routine and make sure you are doing everything by the book, and fix that issue before you continue.
A good light in the right location is a must, and you need to be sitting at the right level so you can see in the cases and operate the press at the same time.
