Lee Perfect Powder Measure/Scale problem

chrisward3

chrisward3

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Ive got an issue somewhere in my reloading setup and im looking for an answer!

Between my Lee perfect powder measure and my lee balance beam scale, 1.6gr of powder goes missing! Its 1.6gr short, so im not in any danger of blowing up any of my guns, but im concerned for the accuracy of my loads.

Example:

2.00cc of H110 powder out of the powder measure should equal 30.5gr after the conversion.
When i place it on the scale, I get a reading of 28.8gr.

It also happened with the trial loads I was going to work on for my .223. I took the min, middle, and max loads possible for my bullet/powder combo and was 1.6gr, 1.5gr, and 1.6gr short.

I calibrated the scale as per the directions, and re-calibrated twice to make sure I wasnt out to lunch, and the same differences keep popping up.

Any ideas or guidance would be appreciated!
 
The LEE perfect powder measure throws powder charges by volume. So depending on the powder you are using, different weights of powder could take up the same volume. i.e. 30 grains of IMR 4064 is going to take up more volume(space) than 30 gr of H335. When using the LEE perfect powder measure, I pretty much ignore the numbers on the thrower, and just check my weight. If you are going for a charge of 30 gr, just adjust it until your weighed charges are consistantly 30 gr.
 
punkrockboy said:
The LEE perfect powder measure throws powder charges by volume. So depending on the powder you are using, different weights of powder could take up the same volume. i.e. 30 grains of IMR 4064 is going to take up more volume(space) than 30 gr of H335. When using the LEE perfect powder measure, I pretty much ignore the numbers on the thrower, and just check my weight. If you are going for a charge of 30 gr, just adjust it until your weighed charges are consistantly 30 gr.
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I thought thats what the conversion chart was for though.
 
I wouldn't trust my health, hunting/shooting success, or anything else, to Lee.....Conversion chart???? Get proper reloading equip. before you injure yourself!!
 
you will also find that the weight of the thrown charge will vary if you tap or wiggle the unit when the handle is in the up position (loading a charge) and as the level of powder in the hopper changes.
 
The conversion chart provides you a starting point, rather than an absolute number. The same conversion chart is used with the Lee dippers and their disk powder measures. As already stated, you need to adjust until you reach the desired weight.
 
I wouldn't trust my health, hunting/shooting success, or anything else, to Lee.....Conversion chart???? Get proper reloading equip. before you injure yourself!!
Click to expand...
The original poster was asking for clarification on how to use the thrower properly, not a gun-snob opinion on lee. Why dont you go troll a norinco thread like you always do.
Seriously chris, dont listen to the snobs. The same guys will knock all norinco everything as well. Lee makes lots of good stuff. The perfect powder measure powder thrower, however, is one of the few things that i replaced with RCBS. I know lots of guys who use the LEE without any issues, but I was able to upgrade to RCBS off a guy on the EE for 40ish dollars.
 
If the density of the powder used when they made the chart was different than the batch you have now there would be a difference in weight. That is why even when you change batches of powder you should do a few test loads first before loading up a lot of round with the new powder. That is also another reason when you get a load you like to buy a larger quantity of the same batch #. Just my opinion and worth what you paid for it.
 
Actually, if you weigh your charges, and the balance is consistent, it doesn't really matter - unless you start playing anywhere near maximum. If you start at the low end and work your way up, as long as you're not getting pressure signs, so what? The only thing is, don't give your data for someone else to use. BTW, I've found that the ball powders are very consistent out of the Lee measure. I don't use the chart, and I weigh each charge. I very seldom have to add more than a few granules to put me right on so all my charges weight the same. I can't guarantee that when my own loads say I'm using 43.2 gr. of BLC(2), that it's what they actually weigh, but it is safe in my rifle and very consistent.
 
zuke said:
When you put the pan on the scale is it reading zero?
That's what that serrated nut behind the scale is there for, to zero it.
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yep, set the scale on a level surface, attach the little cup, set the ball and slider to zero...and then move that screw left and right until it balances.

Im assuming thats the proper way, and if anyone does it different plz tell me quick! im going to be going with that scale starting this week vice the volumetric conversions ive done!
 
Use both the scale and the charge thrower and get on with yer day.

Set the volume to throw as near as you can get under the charge you want, use a scoop to adjust up to the weight you need.

If you find that the charge is consistent, then maybe cut yourself to using the scale for every fifth charge or every tenth charge.

Really, you have to assess your needs, too.

If you are loading to compete in, say, F Class, you probably want a different routine than if you are loading a couple hundred rounds of close range, high speed blasting ammo for doing drills at the steel plate range.
How close you are getting to the max loads for your (repeat! YOUR!!) firearm, will also determine if plus or minus a grain or a tenth or hundredth of a grain, is a reasonable variance.

I've shot a whack-load of gophers with ammo loaded with Lee scoops and no scales, but the loads were definitely milquetoast level and I saw no reason to push them any harder. Same deal for hunting ammo. Minute of pie plate at 300 or so. Adequate, cheap. Just doesn't play as well when trying to one-up someone during a BS session! :D

Cheers
Trev
 
I recently found that my lee thrower will dispense extruded powders with a variance of +/- 0.2 grains. so i average it out to a few under max, always keep the hopper over 1/2 full and give it a little flick before dispensing the charge. and for whatever reason when i shoot the 47 grain loads next to my 46.6 grain loads i still get 2" groups at 100m with a peepsight. so i conclude that it doesn't matter enough for me to spend an additional couple hours weighing out every charge. i instead weigh every tenth one.

However my failsafe is that i load case capacity to 99% full, and if i shake the case and cannot hear the powder in there (which has never happened) i would pull the bullet.

ball powders it throws exact everytime.
 
My Lee powder measure "leaks" a lot of powder out the left hand side of the round disk, so for that I only use for 9mm and .45 charges. Rifle loads I still do one at a time by hand

Should have never sold my RCBS powder measure
 
Do you have a set of check weights? it would be best if you could confirm the setting of the scale against a known weight, rather then relying on the volume of powder being measured through the thrower as your check source. I use the prefect powder measure as it throws just fine BUT I weigh every charge. If your looking to save time and not weight charges you should look at higher end throwers like Harrels, they cost alot more but they are much more consistant
Best of Luck
Trevor
 
Another Lee user here. Been using mine for 5+ years now for .243, .270, .303br, and .38 special. The only thing I replaced out of my Anniversary kit was the scale. I went to an RCBS as I just didn't like the Lee one, but I still use the powder measure all the time. As stated above, the chart just gives you a starting point. I've never found a setting on the chart that is correct when weighed. It's always been less than the chart shows. I just adjust the measure to give me the weight I want.

The biggest thing to getting consistent charges when using the measure is to get your technique the exact same every time. I rotate the lever at the same speed every time, pause for 2 seconds then rotate back to drop the charge. Some people like mikeystew tap the measure each time which is fine too as long as you do everything the same every time. Keeping the hopper at least 1/2 full is a good idea as it keeps the weight of powder pushing down on the measuring chamber even.

I use mostly stick powders and even with larger 'sticks' like IMR 4350 I can consistently throw within 0.2gr and usually within 0.1gr for the rest. The one time I tried a ball powder it was dead on every time. Unless I am using a load that's within 0.5 grain of max, (in MY rifle) I only weigh about every 10th charge. I have yet to have found the thrown charge to have changed. I've also used Lee dippers to load at the range (with weights checked by scale at home first) and found no change in accuracy. A point to consider- a scale can go out of adjustment, a scoop can't!

I read an article once where the author pulled the bullets from a couple batches of factory ammo and weighed the charges and they varied by 0.4 gr! Unless you have a match cut chamber and are using benchrest loading techniques and equipment, your rifle won't be able to tell the difference between 40.0 and 40.4gr unless you are pushing max loads.

That's my .02 and is worth exactly what you paid for it. :D
 
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