Noobee 45 ACP Reloader Has a Question

M

Minorcan

New member
I have a Lee Pro 1000 Progressive press I have set up for reloading 45 ACP. I have a Lee Powder measure with an Adjustable Charge Bar. I am using Bullseye powder. The press works fine most of the time but sometimes it seems like the powder gets jammed in the drop tube and no or very little powder gets dispensed. The charge bar is moving through its proper range even when it is shorting the charge.I have tried several fixes but am still having occasional problems. Any recommendations or ideas for a solution would be appreciated.
 
I haven't loaded on the pro 1K yet,
But on the LCT with same powder measure, the discs work fine for me with bullseye.
I'm not sure about small charges of 3.8-4.2 gr with the adjustable charge bar, I have one but not tried it on small charges.
 
Be sure that the expander/drop tube is free of all oil and check to be
sure there is no obstruction in the tube. The tube should be completely
dry.
Also, check to be sure that the powder hopper is fully open.

Lastly, you can buy a Lee or you can buy a name if you want to impress
some folks. I've never met a Lee that I couldn't whip.
 
Jaguar-very helpful.

Minorcan, The problem may be occurring in one of three obvious points in the powder flow path (or perhaps some less obvious places).

1 Cavity not filling. Where the powder exits the hopper-if you have the standard (rectangular) hopper, there is a small baffle above the drop hole and if the powder is not flowing smoothly past that baffle, you can get short charges. If you have the Pro hopper (round one) the hopper has an on-off feature. If the hopper is partially off, you might get the granules of powder blocked up in a "traffic jam".

Solution is to make sure the powder measure gets enough shaking during the loading process - and always exactly the same amount so packing due to the shaking is consistent.

2 Cavity not emptying. Even though it appears the charge bar is moving through its complete cycle, there may be some of the exit hole forming a ledge where the powder can rest.


Solution: Visually make sure that is not happening and add a shake to the powder measure to knock the stalled powder off the ledge and into the hole.

Some people actually modify the charge bar to eliminate this possibility.

3 Clumping of powder in the drop tube. This is rare but will invariably result in an overcharge in the next cartridge.

Solution: Examine your powder supply (and thanks to Smoke & Recoil for reminding me, check the drop tube AND THE INSIDE OF THE POWDER-THRU DIE) to see if humidity or something may cause this.

That's all I can think of at this time.

I have used both the Pro Autodisk and the Standard Autodisk over the years and find them pretty reliable, but have less experience with the adjustable charge bar than the regular disks.

Good luck and thanks for asking our advice.

Lost Sheep
 
smoke and Recoil and Lost Sheep, Thanks Much for the replies and ideas!

I have checked to see if the charge bar did go to max distance and I have tapped the powder storage while the bar was at max travel with no change to the powder drop. I cleaned and dried the whole apparatus before starting so oil shouldn't be an issue but I will do it again and use some brake cleaner just to be sure. The idea about powder hanging up on the way to the charging bar makes sense and was the way I was leaning. How would I modify it to improve powder flow?

I have experience with 9mm and 38spc/357 on Lee presses and have not had any issues with very similar setups. I'm just new to the 45 ACP on a Lee press. Lee presses have always been a good choice for me and I really don't see a reason to change. I just need a little advice and I very much appreciate your advice. Thanks Again
 
Adjustable Charge Bar.
Click to expand...

I have an adjustable charge bar. Never could get it to work reliably.

Other options are,

1)Lee's new Auto Drum powder measure, which should integrate with the Pro 1000. Early reports are mostly good.

2)Modify an existing Autodisk cavity with a set screw, and use that to tweak the powder measured.

3)Double disk kit, plus the Micro disk, and tweak your powder charge that way.

4)Pick a "close enough" charge that the Auto Disk measure will meter reliably. This is what I do.
 
A frustrating and potentially dangerous problem!

I don't have any solutions for you but was just curious what weight of Bullseye are you trying to drop and what weight are you actually getting?

For what it's worth I used to shoot in a league and by far the favorite target load was just enough Bullseye to cycle the .45 ACP 1911 action. Most of the guys used 200 grain lead semi-wadcutter bullets but a few used 185 grain grain lead semi-wadcutter bullets.

Good luck.
 
Minorcan, I have experienced very similar issues with Bullseye and the auto disc. I "upgraded" the powder hopper to the deluxe version with the elastomer wiper. It really helped with using other powders, but for some reason, I was never able to get it to work well with the BE.

I swapped over to 231, and it has performed well for me.

It looks like you have done all that can be to verify that the powder measure and powder thru expander die are properly adjusted and working. I took the hopper off and left the charge bar installed, and ran a few cases up to make sure that the bar went all the way over the dispensing chute, which it did.

Personally I think it has something to do with the adjustable charge bar. I tried a few of the regular discs that came with the powder measure, and they all worked pretty good. I have read of others using a standard disc and opening up the cavity until they get the weight they want. I have not tried that, but maybe that would work?

Good luck with your setup. :)
 
I use a lot of Bullseye in my Pro Auto Disk with no problems. I drop charges as low as 2.8 gr.

You have been given some great advice. I've never used the adjustable bar. What weight are you trying to drop?

One of the things that I do out of habit is to tap the top of the powder hopper with my palm to settle the powder. This works good for Unique also.

Good luck.
 
First I agree with jaguarxk120 At one time I had 4 Lee Pro 1000's. While they will lode good ammo they are forever getting out of adjustment. Primers sticking-flipping.etc. I spent just too much time maintaining them instead of reloading. Bought 2 SDB's & solved all my pistol loading problems,
IMHO LEE makes some good equipment and I have a lot of it however the Pro 1000 did not do it for me
 
Charge Target

I am trying to drop 5.1 grains. I have discs but wanted to try the adjustable charge bar. I have other pro 1000s for 9mm and 38/357 and they work fine. No primer issues and powder drops are very reliable. I inspect each case after powder drop visually before placing a bullet and crimping. I also periodically weigh a random case and powder to confirm. This is how I found the issue to start with. I think I may have found the problem. I live in Florida and the humidity is 90% and having a lot of rain lately which may be impacting the powder some. A nearby friend has started having similar issues on a press he has never had any issues with. Also I think the baffle in the plastic powder hopper may be an issue with the adjustable charge bar. I plan on grinding it off and seeing what happens this week.

Thanks to everyone that chimed in with ideas and recommendations.
 
I wipe the inside of the powder hopper and the bores of the disc with a used dryer softener sheet, I think part of the problem with powder in the Lee is a bit of static build up. No research, no real evidence, but it seems to help a lot

David
 
I wipe the inside of the powder hopper and the bores of the disc with a used dryer softener sheet, I think part of the problem with powder in the Lee is a bit of static build up.
Click to expand...

Static build up was my thoughts also and the dryer sheet was going to be my recommendation.

As for the Dillon comment, I have a Dillon 650 and it did not take long for me to remove their powder measure system and replace it with a RCBS Uniflow measure.
So I don't believe Dillon is the answer.
 
I think I've soled the problem.

I checked alignment, charge bar return, etc. I used a 1000 lumen light and watched the powder hang up in the baffle so I cut the baffle out and polished the surfaces with 1800 grit cloth. Put it back together and dropped 100 charges. All fell full and only + or- 0.1 grain error. Most were right on the money.

Thanks to everyone for you ideas, help and input. I loaded 200 rounds and plan on going to the range to do a little checking and confirm load dependability.

One recommendation was to go to the new Teflon coated powder measure and I may do that but I have several of this model that work great with the discs but I may go to the new style for the adjustable measure. Thanks again guys !!!!!
 
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