Drilling out a LEE DISK

R

RT

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Ok, Im loading some 124gr 9mm with 231! Im using a lee 1000. The only loads avaiable to me using the disks are 4.3 & 4.6gr 231. Id like to fine tune a bit and try 4.4 gr 231 however I cant get that load with the lee disks.

Ive got a couple real good drill bit sets (numbered and fraction bits) I was thinking about trying to narrow down the hole size in the disk to figure out exactly what size the 4.3 & 4.6 gr hole are then finding a bit inbetween the two and trying to enlargen a hole... id probly enlargen a smaller hole that I figure wont get used, theses disks will be dedicated to my 9mm press!

Has anyone tried this before or had a similiar problem and been able to figure somthing out that works( besides getting a dillion)

Thanx
 
RT said:
Ok, Im loading some 124gr 9mm with 231! Im using a lee 1000. The only loads avaiable to me using the disks are 4.3 & 4.6gr 231. Id like to fine tune a bit and try 4.4 gr 231 however I cant get that load with the lee disks.

Ive got a couple real good drill bit sets (numbered and fraction bits) I was thinking about trying to narrow down the hole size in the disk to figure out exactly what size the 4.3 & 4.6 gr hole are then finding a bit inbetween the two and trying to enlargen a hole... id probly enlargen a smaller hole that I figure wont get used, theses disks will be dedicated to my 9mm press!

Has anyone tried this before or had a similiar problem and been able to figure somthing out that works( besides getting a dillion)

Thanx
Click to expand...

Use a fine round file and take off little, because you can't add any.
 
ww w.leeprecision.com makes an ADJUSTABLE CHARGE BAR for $10 us that fits the powder measure in a PRO1000. ww w.higginsonpowders.com is a Canadian source of Lee stuff with prices very close to U.S. catalog prices.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
+1 for the charge bar!!

I have one, and don't use the disks anymore; you can set it up for any charge. Would've bought one earlier if I knew about it :)
 
Hmmm, Ok...Ive tried a charge bar when I was using Bullseye and wasnt impressed with the way it flowed. You guys are saying the charge bar works OK with 231? CUZ if it does thats the way I will go!
 
i've used NOTHING BUT 231 in all my pistols since i don't know when ( 9,45 acp, 44 mag, 45 colt) and have CHARGE BARS in ALL of them- they're not all lee, as the lee is a fairly new addition to the scene- i've been keeping quiet as your loads are somewhat lighter than mine and i didn't know if i should comment on going between 4.3 and 4.6- i run 4.8-5 or better, but that's a load i've well tested in all my 9s ( a beretta 92, and a tok, as well as the uzi) and worked up
 
I use the chargebar with Bullseye and did a simple test

where I measured 20 throws from the chargebar and it

seems to be very consistent

I use it to throw 4.5g of Bullseye
 
t-star said:
i've used NOTHING BUT 231 in all my pistols since i don't know when ( 9,45 acp, 44 mag, 45 colt) and have CHARGE BARS in ALL of them- they're not all lee, as the lee is a fairly new addition to the scene- i've been keeping quiet as your loads are somewhat lighter than mine and i didn't know if i should comment on going between 4.3 and 4.6- i run 4.8-5 or better, but that's a load i've well tested in all my 9s ( a beretta 92, and a tok, as well as the uzi) and worked up
Click to expand...


My LEE Manual shows a min load 4.2 & max 4.6 for 9mm 124fmj win 231! Ive seen slightly differnt load data from other sources as well though! 4.3 is extremly accurate, however on occasion it wont lock the slide back after the last round. 4.6gr 231 is just as accurate however the increase in recoil is substantial!

I think Ill give the charge bar another try.
 
Lee 1000 low grain loads

I use an adjustable charge bar and I had trouble with the pqwder bridging on low grain loads. paticularly 9mm in the 4.4 range. I had the same problem on the discs. win 231 was bad for bridging, I went to WSL and it worked better. the final solution was to use a larger disc and glue in a spacer to reduce the load to what I wanted. the larger chamber with the irreguar shape doesnt bridge as much. A small self adhesive paper dot stuck to the side of the disc will reduce it as well. With 9 mm I always look in the casing to see if the powder is there. On the 1000 it is hard to see so I bought a loadmaster as they don't seem to have the post so much in the way for looking in the cases. When our dollar is at par a loadmaster with all the tricks and an extra die holder and case and bullet feeders for 9 and 45 was $437 US from Lee factory sales, cheaper by far than from Lee Direct.
 
RT said:
My LEE Manual shows a min load 4.2 & max 4.6 for 9mm 124fmj win 231! Ive seen slightly differnt load data from other sources as well though! 4.3 is extremly accurate, however on occasion it wont lock the slide back after the last round. 4.6gr 231 is just as accurate however the increase in recoil is substantial!

I think Ill give the charge bar another try.
Click to expand...

well, son, i hate to tell you, but your lee manual has been LAWYERIZED- my 1991 vintage SPEER shows a min charge of 4.6 and a max of 5.0 -and 4.3 of 231 causes the uzi to short stroke, which causes a doubling at least- since i use the same ammo for all, it's got to meet full stroke specs for all three
 
t-star said:
well, son, i hate to tell you, but your lee manual has been LAWYERIZED- my 1991 vintage SPEER shows a min charge of 4.6 and a max of 5.0 -and 4.3 of 231 causes the uzi to short stroke, which causes a doubling at least- since i use the same ammo for all, it's got to meet full stroke specs for all three
Click to expand...


Long time since I been called son;)

Just stating what my manual says.

If your uzi likes 5.0 gr. then go for it...Im not shooting an uzi ! My SIG likes 4.3 OK and Im just trying to fine tune a bit. Hope you dont mind too much.
 
just curious- what dies the lee give for a velocity on that 4.6 grain load- my manual says it should be about 1030- out of a beretta with a 4.9 inch barrel- that's what i like about the speer- it uses real- world pistols, not pressure barrels
 
FWIW I use 4.3g of 231 on 124's and it is my favorite load if I am using 231 powder. I also use the Lee auto disc for that charge and it works well in all my 9mm's. I found accuracy to diminish at loads above that but others may have different results. I also use Titegroup with 4.4g which is a bit snappier and cleaner.
Cheers
dB
 
The Lee manual is famous for being quite conservative. Also I notice if the manula says .XX autodisk will give you 4.8gr titegroup, likely your autodisk will always give you 4.4gr.
 
First rule of thumb with the Lee disc measures is throw charge, actually weigh it, and proceed if acceptable or select alternative. They are notorious for undercharging but the charge bar seems to work well with all but the very smallest of loads.
dB
 
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