Lee Auto Disk-low throw

lister

lister

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I'm just wondering if any of you guys have run into this---I'm using a Lee Auto Disk powder measure with micrometer on a Lee Pro 1000. I would normally swear by the accuracy of the throws, but last night I found that I was getting VERY light throws. It was set for 3.5 gr. of 700-X (for .38 spl.), but every 3 or 4 throws I was getting next to nothing, about 0.5 grains.

So I took the measure apart and cleaned it. Now it seems to be OK (I measured about 15 or 20 throws), but I'm not totally convinced it was merely a dirt problem. I also wonder if it's because I was using flake powder at a low charge, ie-not enough weight to push into the drop hole. What do you guys think? Any similar experiences?
Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
 
The little rubber gromit in the bottom of the powder hopper sometimes gets powder in around it. But the biggest problem is with the 700X it bridges in the hopper bottom. I switched to W231 for just that reason.
 
Do you find the bridging only happens when trying for low charge wieghts? I loaded several hundred .357 mags. and didn't have this problem. Does the heavier grain wieght stop the bridging perhaps?
 
Another problem I have also experienced is with the disc return on the up stroke. Depending on whether you have the older spring return or the newer chain type, the disc may not return to the home position(resulting in short throws or no powder pickup at all) but instead the assembly hangs up in the die remaining slightly above the fully seated position. It is most likely due to to too much tension on the set screw on the side. I found that backing off the screw slightly as well as keeping the unit clean & polished on the stem of the measure solved the problem. You figure these things out after you tire of pounding bullets out of the barrel due to squibs:mad:. The problem became more noticable with the addition of the swivel adapter.
Good luck:D
dB
 
I have the micrometer instead of the discs. Spring driven, but I've never had it hang up on anything. Is that strictly a disc problem?
I figured out the clean part quite a while ago.....squibs...been there, done that, had enough!:D

So it seems like it's a flake powder problem so far.....any comments?
 
Had nothing to do with the discs but rather with the whole measure getting hung up on the charging die throat. Used to just stop about 1/4in from bottom seat position resulting in reduced travel for the disc or micrometer that you are using and not allowing it to return fully to the rear. Used to use the spring return and then went to the new chain type but with the hangup, it kept busting chains. At least with the spring it just stopped and didnt break anything. Modified it to use a small guage aircraft cable and slide system that works like a damn but like mentioned earlier the root problem was with tension on the set screw. Been fine ever since
dB
 
Ah, I see what you mean. I'll have to have a look, but I'm pretty sure I don't have a hangup problem.
I figure I'll throw a few more charges to make sure it's fixed, load a few more and then switch to non-flake powder.
Thanks for the input. If anything else comes to mind, fire away.
 
I had the same issue using the pro model with the adjustment type charge in there rather than a disk. Clays was the one I was using at the time, wasn't sure if it was static or it was bridging over. Win 231 works excellent.
 
At first I thought there was something wrong with my Lee auto disk, the spring return one was throwing inaccurate powder measures. So I went out and bought the chain one, it worked on and off. I later learned that two things can happen, 1 the screws or brass nuts can be tightened too much, pinching the disk and 2 the rubber gromit had so much powder around the outside of it, it was almost choked off. The next discovery was the disk worked better than the adjustible powder measure, due to the shape. I think I had it down to 2.7 grains of 700X in my CZ75. I called them the powder puff loads. I had to check each throw to ensure enough powder fell.
All that is history now because I was introduced to W231, 4.1 behind a 124 grain LRN and life is good.
 
mmmmm...so flake powder seems to cause a problem.
My micrometer is moving freely, so the thumbscrews aren't overtightened, but definately something to keep eyes open for.

But you did get 700X to work accurately at 2.7 gr.?
 
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