Author Topic: Lee Pro auto Disk question  (Read 419 times)

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Offline Dand

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Lee Pro auto Disk question
« on: May 13, 2004, 08:57:30 AM »
I use the Lee Pro auto Disk on my Lyman Turret for loading handgun cartridges - 38 357 9mm 41.  I mostly use Unique, H110, 269, 2400, some Herco, Bulls Eye, Blue Dot   and Green Dot.

With the hopper full I usually have to go to a larger hole in the disk than the Lee table indicates, to get the grain wt of powder I need - especially with the  flake powders like Unique and Blue Dot. Some times I have to go up two holes larger than indicated to get the right weight.
 
Anybody else have this experience?  
Is the chart in the first Lee reloading book off or ????

 I always settle the powder and throw and discard the first 4-6 throws or more, check the first 5 weights with the scales and do seating die adjustments before going into full production.  I recheck powder weight thrown every 15-25 rounds just to be safe.

Suggestions?  I really noticed this the other day while loading 400 rounds of 357 200 with Unique and 200 with Blue Dot.  And I use check weights with my scale.
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Offline New Hampshire

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Lee Pro auto Disk question
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2004, 11:44:54 AM »
:D The reason is the coarsness of the flake.  There is a small warning in the pamphlet that warns of this.  Ive found, as they suggest, that tapping a couple of times with a dowl or screw driver to help fill the cavity helps a bit.
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Offline Castaway

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Lee Pro auto Disk question
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2004, 12:50:05 AM »
I've noticed the same thing.  I use the listed disc for a  place to start, throw 10 charges, weigh all 10 and adjust discs until I get what I want.

Offline Black Jaque Janaviac

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Lee Pro auto Disk question
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2004, 06:01:31 AM »
Yes, my experience has always been that the Lee tables are "light". I use the adjustable measure instead of the disks.  This makes correcting for the deviation from the table much easier.  Then I write down what the adjustable measure volume is and go back to that setting if I find that load suitable.  I've even found the Lee tables to be light for ball powders too.

I don't know if flake powders just aren't that good in the Lee Auto disk measure or not.  I haven't tried that many different powders, but the two ball powders I've tried are way more accurate than the flake powders.
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Offline jgalar

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Lee Pro auto Disk question
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2004, 02:42:52 PM »
Lee has their powder charts set up to drop the charge with the powder manufacturers weight tolerance level built in. Powder manufacturers have  a range of what a volume of a given powder will weigh. Some of the powders I have used were darn close to what Lee states in their charts and some dropped approx 6% less. Lee states this is normal and to contact them if you ever find a powder combination that drops more than what the charts state.

Offline Dand

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Thanks for the comments
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2004, 07:35:02 PM »
I appreciate all the comments.  Its been a long time since I read all the instructions - I'll look again.  It also shows it helps to always check the charges as thrown and not depend on any cheat sheet.  I had begun to wonder if our lack of humidity in winter had dried out the powder or something.  

Thanks again for the comments.
NRA Life

liberal Justice Hugo Black said, and I quote: "There are 'absolutes' in our Bill of Rights, and they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant and meant their prohibitions to be 'absolutes.'" End quote. From a recent article by Wayne LaPierre NRA