Hi John
Thanks for the info, guess it looks like im going to weigh direct on the scale, going to be more time consuming but need to get it right.
Lee 50th Help
- Thread starter f55
- Start date
Hi John
Thanks for the info, guess it looks like im going to weigh direct on the scale, going to be more time consuming but need to get it right.
I too had trouble with my LEE scale and went an RCBS digital.
One day thing's seemed funny so I pulled out my LEE and found out the digital was out.
Sent it out and got it back but never used it, I stuck with the LEE.
The biggest problem it's too sensitive and take's patience to do so.
When you set up the LEE powder measure did you read ALL the instruction's I.E. about running thru a hopper full of powder?
One day thing's seemed funny so I pulled out my LEE and found out the digital was out.
Sent it out and got it back but never used it, I stuck with the LEE.
The biggest problem it's too sensitive and take's patience to do so.
When you set up the LEE powder measure did you read ALL the instruction's I.E. about running thru a hopper full of powder?
HI
yep as i already said ran through a full hopper, and same thing happens.
I just tried the small digi kitchen scales, 10 weighings all the same from the lee powder measure, then weighed out exactly 42gr according the the lee scales and took it off and put it back on again, and it didn't balance, so i now think its the lee scale thats CRAP, but will confirm tomorrow when i get the RCBS digi scale.
you sure the balance beam's sitting where's suppose to be?
No crap in the groove or the razor's edge?
Their so simple it's hard to screw them up.
Do you have the powder spread out on the pan or dumbed more of a pile on one side or the other?
They are sensitive to that.
No crap in the groove or the razor's edge?
Their so simple it's hard to screw them up.
Do you have the powder spread out on the pan or dumbed more of a pile on one side or the other?
They are sensitive to that.
Tried all that
i put powder in pan and balanced it at 42gr, took the pan off, put it back on, 5 times now, not balancing at all.
I use the Lee Perfect Powder Measure and find it works just fine. Have not used the Lee Balance Beam scale, but it should work fine too.
First you need to determine if the scale is the problem or the measure. Weigh a bullet, the same one, several times. It should weigh the same each time within 0.1 grains. If it does, then the finger points to the measure.
Most times the issue with the scale is static electricity. Run a hopper of powder through it. Or, wipe the inside of the hopper with a dryer sheet. Or, run some graphite through it. The measure will not deliver exactly the same charge each time, but it should be within +/- 0.2 grains.
If the problem is the scale, then look for issues with the pivot bearings. Make sure they are clean. Make sure the beam is not binding anywhere. See the link below for a test Lee recommends for sensitivity. Try it.
Lee Scale Test
Whatever you do, don't buy a cheap digital scale. You will be jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Those that have been around the block say you need to spend $300 minimum to get a quality digital.
If you want to ditch the Lee scale then I would suggest the RCBS 505 or Redding Model 2 balance beam. They are both quality scales that should last you a lifetime. My Redding is about 45 years old and works just find. Accurate to less than 0.05 grains.
But unless your Lee is defective, you should be able to get it to work quite accurately. I would phone Lee before you buy another scale.
Super_Chicken
CGN Regular
- Location
- Toronto, ON
You can measure vegetables with that too!
It's funny about that scale, because I read about people who swear by their accuracy for measures even under 4 grains to the 10th, then I read other stuff about folks whose scales are apparently out an entire grain or more with this one. It makes me wonder if their accuracy varies a great deal from scale to scale. But this is what check weights are for. Speaking of which, a 100gr check weight isn't really going to cut it for those who measure out powder in amounts under 6 grains.
But who cares if you're off by a grain? As long as it measure consistantly off by a grain you should be fine in terms of having an accurate load.
If you worked it up to 4.2 but really it's 3.2 but each weight is 3.2 and each round shoots fine who cares
Mine throws different charges too, I just throw a little low and trickle up to the wieght I want. I use the lee scale and it seems to work fine.
On the measure, I find if I move it fast, slow, pause, or anything else it will change the weight just slightly.
Not the best I agree, but for my use it's good. Just have to be patient and double check stuff.
On the measure, I find if I move it fast, slow, pause, or anything else it will change the weight just slightly.
Not the best I agree, but for my use it's good. Just have to be patient and double check stuff.
But who cares if you're off by a grain? As long as it measure consistantly off by a grain you should be fine in terms of having an accurate load.
If you worked it up to 4.2 but really it's 3.2 but each weight is 3.2 and each round shoots fine who cares
In my opinion if you're attempting to weight out 3 grains and in reality get 4 grains, that could be a bad thing especially if the 3 grains was maximum load. That's charging your case 25% more load than what you were aiming for. Frankly I wouldn't want a powder scale that wasn't at least accurate to 1/5th of a grain. 1/10 is even better.
Digital is fine, but I'd rather trust a $30 beam scale than a $30 digital.
I will check again, The response i got from Lee wasn't all that helpful also, they said "don't expect to get the same from the power measure, just top up what you get"
I was going to get a digi scale but was talked out of it by the shop, they asked me to try again making sure it was setup properly.
I tried out 20 bullets using the lee scale to weigh, took ages as i wanted to make sure i got about 42gr in each (topping up or removing)
The results are approx 0.6" group at 50 meters, the factory priv bullets gave me approx 1.2", recoil was also less with the 42gr load.
The results are approx 0.6" group at 50 meters, the factory priv bullets gave me approx 1.2", recoil was also less with the 42gr load.
I think that's my next purchase, took me 1 hour to make 20 bullets.
An alternative case charging process:
-Throw charge
-Weight it
-Scoop out or add in kernels using a small dipper from a lee pistol die set until you hit weight
-Add that to a case.
-Make adjustments to your PPM.
UNTIL you start throwing consecutive ones right on the money. Lock the adjustment ring if you haven't already, check one more.
-If you'd like, this is the point where you can scale back your weighing to 1 in 5 and throw powder directly into the case rather than into the weighing pan.
Use a loading block so that you can visually confirm powder levels.
Add powder once the level gets to about 1/3, throw a couple loads directly back into the hopper, then check weight once more. (This is just in case the powder position settles weird. I might be too picky with this extra process.)
-Throw charge
-Weight it
-Scoop out or add in kernels using a small dipper from a lee pistol die set until you hit weight
-Add that to a case.
-Make adjustments to your PPM.
UNTIL you start throwing consecutive ones right on the money. Lock the adjustment ring if you haven't already, check one more.
-If you'd like, this is the point where you can scale back your weighing to 1 in 5 and throw powder directly into the case rather than into the weighing pan.
Use a loading block so that you can visually confirm powder levels.
Add powder once the level gets to about 1/3, throw a couple loads directly back into the hopper, then check weight once more. (This is just in case the powder position settles weird. I might be too picky with this extra process.)
I guess i expected to much, but like you say its working ok, trimming 200 cases is hard on your hands.
I have the Lee 50th myself and frankly I can't see what the problem is... with the scale being "all over the place".
There are a few simple rules to respect:
There are a few simple rules to respect:
- First, make sure the scale is level on a table or other hard surface and that it can't easily move.
- Then, make sure the beam is properly set on the scale and that there's no drag on it (sometimes it happens that you don't assemble it correctly, which causes the beam to settle off center on the base and then the measurements are erratic).
- Third, set the scale to zero (with the metal powder holder in place) and adjust with the adjuster weight/screw. Remember that it can take a few seconds for the scale to settle despite the magnets that are supposed to limit it's free movement. Be patient.
- Finally, set your desired weight and measure away. I have used my Lee safety scale to load a lot of ammo and frankly it's better and more consistent than my Cabelas digital powder scale that cost $125 and requires a 30 minute warmup + sometimes throws erratic measurements for no damn reason. I sometimes verify the Lee safety scale's accuracy with the digital scale and/or the powder dispenser and it's never been wrong so far. You can't cheat gravity, I guess!
I have the Lee 50th myself and frankly I can't see what the problem is... with the scale being "all over the place".
There are a few simple rules to respect:
- First, make sure the scale is level on a table or other hard surface and that it can't easily move.
- Then, make sure the beam is properly set on the scale and that there's no drag on it (sometimes it happens that you don't assemble it correctly, which causes the beam to settle off center on the base and then the measurements are erratic).
- Third, set the scale to zero (with the metal powder holder in place) and adjust with the adjuster weight/screw. Remember that it can take a few seconds for the scale to settle despite the magnets that are supposed to limit it's free movement. Be patient.
- Finally, set your desired weight and measure away. I have used my Lee safety scale to load a lot of ammo and frankly it's better and more consistent than my Cabelas digital powder scale that cost $125 and requires a 30 minute warmup + sometimes throws erratic measurements for no damn reason. I sometimes verify the Lee safety scale's accuracy with the digital scale and/or the powder dispenser and it's never been wrong so far. You can't cheat gravity, I guess!
I guess the problem was a combination of things, i thought it was the powder measure, then the scale, then the powder.
1. the perfect powder measure, was less than perfect and was giving me less, then more then less etc.
2. The powder i use is imr4985 which is stick powder and others have said this doesn't help.
In the end i dispense less than 42 and make up the difference, and ever now and then it drops way more than 42 even though its set to less.
so far i have made and shot 20 bullets and my rifle hasn't blown up, so i guess something is working now, and the accuracy is better than with factory ammo.
Thanks everyone for the advice.
