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Lee turret powder measure lesson to share
- Thread starter Real Gun
- Start date
stubbicatt
New member
I do not presently load for 44 magnum or special, so I'll be aware of this phenomenon with the Lee dies when I get set up for it. Thanks for the heads up.
I have found these inexpensive substitutions to be helpful when loading cast bullets, as they work similarly to the RCBS expander plug, which I think is a good choice for use with cast bullets. Link to better expander plugs
OP you might consider one. I like them as while RCBS dies are very high quality, I prefer many of the features of the Lee, such as the easy to use bullet seating die, as it has a finger adjustable thimble rather than the screwdriver and wrench seating adjustment of the RCBS. I do not really care for the Lee Factory Crimp die, as it is my belief that it *may* further size the bullet seated in the case via that carbide ring at the bottom, so I just seat and crimp revolver cartridges using the Lee seater die.
So I find that I can buy a Lee 3 die set, one of these expander plugs, and save a few rasbucknicks in the process.
HTH
I have found these inexpensive substitutions to be helpful when loading cast bullets, as they work similarly to the RCBS expander plug, which I think is a good choice for use with cast bullets. Link to better expander plugs
OP you might consider one. I like them as while RCBS dies are very high quality, I prefer many of the features of the Lee, such as the easy to use bullet seating die, as it has a finger adjustable thimble rather than the screwdriver and wrench seating adjustment of the RCBS. I do not really care for the Lee Factory Crimp die, as it is my belief that it *may* further size the bullet seated in the case via that carbide ring at the bottom, so I just seat and crimp revolver cartridges using the Lee seater die.
So I find that I can buy a Lee 3 die set, one of these expander plugs, and save a few rasbucknicks in the process.
HTH
I have a six year old Lee Classic Turret and I have NEVER had an issue when reusing the same case. Something is wrong here as others have suggested. When I change my powder disks, I will run several case loads through it before I verify that the powder charge is correct.
That doesn't change my experience. Be sure you are comparing 44 Special, Starline brass, not Hornady.
Nope. The old disc measure, the whole measure is turned/screwed into the top of the expander die. The pro measure, the threaded portion turns independently from the hopper. This allows the measure itself to stay stationary while screwing the bottom of the measure . Also the pro has a shut off in the base of the hopper to allow the changing of the discs WITHOUT having to tip the standard hopper over to empty it to allow the discs to be changed.The only difference is the hopper. The mechanics (and the parts) below that are identical. I use the older style box hopper, which is now delivered clear instead of translucent red.
The swivel adapter can be purchased separately. All my powder measures have one.
There is an upgrade kit that allows converting standard auto disk measures to Pro features, but it really just replaces the hopper and includes the swivel adaptor that one may already have.
An abbreviation is not an acronym.
Or do you call it your "pittux" ?!
I believe you have played the grammar nahtsie on this point before.
Have had no problems using the same case also with the Auto Disk powder measure.
Question? Are you using the 44 Mag die for your 44 Spl powder through die?
That's why I purchased a separate set of 38 Spl dies instead of using my 357 Mag set.
Good question. My die is stamped "Lee 44 SPL E3". I have another setup for jacketed bullets, and that die is stamped "Lee 44 SPL D4". Cursory measurements show no differences, E3 vs D4, but I will try the D4 to see if the results are any different.
It finally occurred to me that I kept using the same case that had already been expanded. It wasn't causing enough resistance on the expander plug to fully activate the measure.
This is what is at issue here is that you think the measure is activated by drag or resistance of the expander plug pushing into the case. That is wrong! The powder disc/slide is fully activated by the case running into the belling portion of the expander plug whether you call it the PTX OR PTE.
It doesn't matter how long the PTE is, it's adjusted by moving the entire die up or down, watching the slide go all-the-way over the drop tube.
If not using a powder measure on the expander die, the aluminum cap is left on the die. Then the die is adjusted until the powder disc aligns with the drop tube AFTER or AT THE SAME TIME the desired belling is achieved. It has nothing to do with the friction of the expander plug on the inside of the case.
Thanks, Snuffy, but I know what I experienced and how I fixed the problem. I have repeatedly said that it seems to be working fine now, and that is as long as I resize the case mouth between test powder drops or pick a fresh case. During routine loading all is well.
I have the die set all the way down to the shell holder. There is j-u-s-t enough flare to nicely accept a bullet, no real bell at all. That's fine, because I have an expander die to get the precision I want in the next station. Probably don't really need it. I seem to have (5) expander plugs for 44 SPL in my inventory for some reason, and they all measure 1.092 in length.
BTW, my 44 Mag die, mounted on a separate turret with its own powder measure, is stamped "44 SPL C3".
I have the die set all the way down to the shell holder. There is j-u-s-t enough flare to nicely accept a bullet, no real bell at all. That's fine, because I have an expander die to get the precision I want in the next station. Probably don't really need it. I seem to have (5) expander plugs for 44 SPL in my inventory for some reason, and they all measure 1.092 in length.
BTW, my 44 Mag die, mounted on a separate turret with its own powder measure, is stamped "44 SPL C3".