Lee Auto Disk measure (adjustable charge bar) and very small charges of Titegroup...

[DarkSyd]

I ran into something the other day that kind of freaked me out. I was wrapping up a run of 45ACP / Titegroup loads, and figured I'd try a run of .38 special while I had the Titegroup in the measure. I won't publish the exact loads I was using, but he .38 loads were just a smidge more than half of what I was loading for the 45.

My usual routine consists of setting the measure, confirming that it is throwing what I'm looking for on the scale, then throwing 5 full charges, weighing and dividing by 5, and repeating.

None of the single charges were out when I checked them on the scale, but neither of the 5 charge groups were what I was expecting...both were out by a couple of grains. This worried me, a lot. I started weighing single charges repeatedly, and it took 7 or 8 tries, but eventually I got a charge that was just more than a single grain. Next one was fine as it is very difficult for the Lee measure to throw a double. Kept up, and sure enough, the issue repeated itself again.

Looking at how the Lee measure works, I'm guessing at the .38 Spl size of things, the opening to the cavity is so small that there is apparently a real chance of some powders bridging before they enter the charge cavity. Maybe a static issue as well, as a few bits of Titegroup seems to 'stick' at times in the bottom of the measure when changing powders. I wipe it down with a Bounce sheet regularly, and it sees enough Bullseye that I would not think that static would be an issue though.

I switched back to HP38, which takes a volumetrically slightly larger charge, and all seems good.

Not really any more to say than that ,other than to emphasize the importance of check, check, and double check your setup when you aren't weighing each individual charge.

 

[Becks357]

I bought one of these adjustable charge bar for the same reason. I wanted to get 1.5 grs of TG for my 38S&W(not special) for a 170grs bullet.
I threw the thing in the garbage after a few hours of frustration. The powder charges were just way to erratic to rely on them. I believe it has something to do with how the adjustable charge bar is shaped!?
Lee makes a micro powder disk for really small charges. I do not own one, but something tells me that the micro disk will work more consistently than the adjustable charge bar.

cheers

 

[DarkSyd]

I may give that a try as well, but I've been eyeing up a progressive for my handgun needs too

 

[daBear]

Had same experience with charge bar and small loads. Way too inconsistent. I now use the micro-disk and problem solved. The charge bar seems to be fine for larger loads but the very small ones are nowhere near reliable.
dB

 

[Auggie Doggie]

I too had problems with the adjustable charge bar. If you have extra discs (usually the largest one) you can fill a cavity with epoxy, then after it cures, use numbered drill bits to drill a cavity the correct size to throw the charge you want.

Auggie D.

 

[ted_dent]

I was using the adjustable charge bar to drop lighter charges (around 3.4 gr.) of Alliant Promo (a coarse flake powder like Red Dot). It didn't work worth a crap and the charge weights were all over the place. I switched back to the Lee disks and 99% of the problem went away. I still get the odd light charge (maybe 1 in 200) which I attribute to bridging or clogging of the coarse flakes so I mounted a small light that shines directly into the case after the powder drop station (I have a Loadmaster) and between the disks and inspection have eliminated the problem. Not sure why the charge bar works so inconsistently but it does.

 

[DarkSyd]

I too had problems with the adjustable charge bar. If you have extra discs (usually the largest one) you can fill a cavity with epoxy, then after it cures, use numbered drill bits to drill a cavity the correct size to throw the charge you want.

Auggie D.

Along those same lines...I found this as well...

http://www.ezorchid.com/CustomCast/CustomCast.htm

Micro disk kit is discontinued (they literally broke the mold)...but this guy has resin copies, as well as blanks, and an improved bar with an angle rather than a shelf. I think I'll toss him them $20 to try it out

 

[DarkSyd]

I was using the adjustable charge bar to drop lighter charges (around 3.4 gr.) of Alliant Promo (a coarse flake powder like Red Dot). It didn't work worth a crap and the charge weights were all over the place. I switched back to the Lee disks and 99% of the problem went away. I still get the odd light charge (maybe 1 in 200) which I attribute to bridging or clogging of the coarse flakes so I mounted a small light that shines directly into the case after the powder drop station (I have a Loadmaster) and between the disks and inspection have eliminated the problem. Not sure why the charge bar works so inconsistently but it does.

You know, I've got an empty station on my 4 hole turret...was thinking of leaving the empty just after the powder drop, and sticking a bung from the beer brewing operation into it, and jamming an LED penlight down the middle...right square over the charged case.

 

[Becks357]

Along those same lines...I found this as well...

http://www.ezorchid.com/CustomCast/CustomCast.htm

Micro disk kit is discontinued (they literally broke the mold)...but this guy has resin copies, as well as blanks, and an improved bar with an angle rather than a shelf. I think I'll toss him them $20 to try it out

just ordered one! I'd like to try it out now! Thanks for the link!
Cheers

 

[ted_dent]

You know, I've got an empty station on my 4 hole turret...was thinking of leaving the empty just after the powder drop, and sticking a bung from the beer brewing operation into it, and jamming an LED penlight down the middle...right square over the charged case.

Sounds like a good idea. Any powder thrower can drop a light charge from time to time, especially with flake or stick powders. If it prevents one squib load it's worth the effort.

 

[BCRider]

I ran into the same issue with my Dillon for small charges. The Dillon uses an adjustable bar from the get go. And of course to make it work for larger charges the slot and filler is fairly wide and closes down to a small narrow lens like opening for truly small charges. As you've all found this produced erratic drops for lighter charges with the more flake like powders. With truly small granular powders like Bullseye it wasn't a problem.

To fix it for myself I put my machine shop to work and made a narrow slot small charge bar. It's only good for up to around 6 or 7 grains of most powders then I have to switch back to the stock bar. But for light charges of Bullseye or Tightgroup it works superbly.

I know this doesn't help YOU folks out. But it does suggest that it's the shape of the slot and how it closes down that is at the core of the issue.

 

[msroest]

There's also this:
h ttp://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/reloads/71487-tuning-your-lee-autodisk-pro-adjustable-charge-bar.html

I've put the epoxy in my adjustable charge bar but haven't actually tested it yet. Someone in /r/reloading had good with making the same mod.

 

[DarkSyd]

There's also this:
h ttp://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/reloads/71487-tuning-your-lee-autodisk-pro-adjustable-charge-bar.html

I've put the epoxy in my adjustable charge bar but haven't actually tested it yet. Someone in /r/reloading had good with making the same mod.

Great info, thank you for that.

 

[wasrupzuk]

The shape and at rest location of the charge bar doesn't work well with small charges, to be honest I'm not a big fan of them with any charge...
I prefer the regular disc's or drill one out if you need a different size but overall I love the Hornady LNL measure.

 

[DarkSyd]

I got my 'custom cast disc and charge bar' last week...haven't had a chance to try it yet, although it looks fantastic. I'll post back when I've had a chance to give a test run.